My latest 3-4 mock draft.

[Wolf6151]

My .02 cents, if we make the switch to a 3-4 defense. We'll need a NT and more/better LB's. We also concentrate our FA efforts on a good CB like Bailey, Marshall, Joseph, or Rogers. My draft:

1. Robert Quinn-DE/OLB from N.C., great size and speed, instantly improves our pass rush and our lack of size in the LB corp.
2. Sione Fua-NT from Stanford, gets good leverage, handles 2 blockers and still pushes the pocket.
3. Jaiquawn Jarrett-FS from Temple, instant starter and upgrade at FS, can't help but be better than Wilson or Nolan and improves a very weak secondary.
4. Terrence Tolliver-WR from LSU, very tall WR with good speed, takes Jacoby Jones spot and becomes the redzone threat that Jones hasn't become yet. Jones has had his chances, time to move on.
5. Quentin Davie-OLB from Northwestern, good size and decent speed, adds depth to squad that will need it due to the 3-4 switch, will backup Quinn and Barwin.
6. Anthony Gray-NT from Southern Mississippi, we'll need a backup NT and will play on short yardage/goal line stands.
7. Derek Epperson-P from Baylor, it's obvious that Turk needs replacement and Epperson is a good one.


Starting Defensive Roster:

RDE: Mario Williams
NT: Sione Fua
LDE: Antonio Smith
OLB: Robert Quinn
MLB: Demeco Ryans
MLB: Brian Cushing
OLB: Connor Barwin
CB: FA Signing/Glover Quin
FS: Jaiquawn Jarrett
SS: Bernard Pollard
CB: Kareem Jackson

Opinions?

[SpringTexan]

No way you keep Kareem Jackson over Glover Quin. Otherwise good roster.

[Texaninlild]

Cush has to be OLB or he is very average.
Quin needs to be back if only to have at least one mediocre CB.
I say put Mario at OLB and DE.

[steelbtexan]

I like it and the Texans should get a 3rd rd Comp pick out of losing Dunta.

Other 3rd rd S that should be available

1.Sash
2.A.Black
3.W.Hill
4.E.Hagg

Which one of these S do you like?

[Texan4Ever]

Sorry, but I don't see how Robert Quinn could be an OLB in a 3-4 scheme. You do know he's about 6'5" and close to 270-Lbs, right? He is strictly a 4-3 DE and if he winds up in a 3-4 scheme, he will end up like Robert Ayers in Denver.

[BSofA04]

Originally Posted by Texan4Ever

Sorry, but I don't see how Robert Quinn could be an OLB in a 3-4 scheme. You do know he's about 6'5" and close to 270-Lbs, right? He is strictly a 4-3 DE and if he winds up in a 3-4 scheme, he will end up like Robert Ayers in Denver.

I agree. Perhaps Wolf6151 meant Bruce Carter from UNC?

Draft Von Miller from A&M if you're looking for a 3-4 OLB. That guy can ball.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by BSofA04

I agree. Perhaps Wolf6151 meant Bruce Carter from UNC?

Draft Von Miller from A&M if you're looking for a 3-4 OLB. That guy can ball.

I was thinking DaQuan Bowers, Clemson can go both 3-4 OLB of 4-3 DE.

[rmartin65]

I am not exactly thrilled with switching to a 3-4. I wont flip out if it happens, but it is not my cup of tea.

That provided, the mock looks good if we were to switch. I must echo the others though, I dont like Quin as a 3-4 OLB, unless we have him rushing the passer every single play. I dont think he has what it takes to play in space.

The rest looks pretty good though.

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by rmartin65

I am not exactly thrilled with switching to a 3-4. I wont flip out if it happens, but it is not my cup of tea.

That provided, the mock looks good if we were to switch. I must echo the others though, I dont like Quin as a 3-4 OLB, unless we have him rushing the passer every single play. I dont think he has what it takes to play in space.

The rest looks pretty good though.

How would you feel about Quinn at DE and MW at OLB?

They would be interchangable. Quinn has the talent MW does.

You dont pass on a talent like that because of need.

[rmartin65]

Originally Posted by steelbtexan

How would you feel about Quinn at DE and MW at OLB?

They would be interchangable. Quinn has the talent MW does.

You dont pass on a talent like that because of need.

Same deal. I dont think MW can play in space. And if either Quinn or MW were to be an OLB, they would have to rush the passer on just about every down. It would be no different than a 4-3.

Quinn is a talent, no doubt. But if the Texans draft him they should stay in the 4-3.

Williams
NT via draft or FA
Smith
Quinn

Is a scary front four. Add the LB:

WLB via draft of FA (I really like Oklahoma's Travis Lewis here)
Ryans
Cushing

With Diles and Sharpton as depth is a really good front 7.

The secondary would need help, a lot of it.

[Wolf6151]

There was no mistake on my draft, I meant Robert Quinn. I don't think Mario can play 3-4 OLB, he can rush the passer but he would be a serious liability in pass coverage. Mario really gets lost in space. Quinn would also add some much needed size to our LB corp. That would be 3 good pass rushers (Smith, Williams, and Quinn) with an athletic pocket pushing NT. I also think that Cushing would be better at ILB attacking the LOS when playing the run than as an OLB in coverage, though he and Barwin at the other OLB spot could be interchangeable. In a blitz package we can bring Connor Barwin from the other OLB position and/or Cushing up the middle.

[BigBull17]

I like a move to a 34. Manning hates to play them. You can get alot more creative out of them. I think Mario as a OLB or a DE can thrive. He will get more 1 on 1 pass rushing chances, or free blitzers can rasie hell.

[Texan4Ever]

Originally Posted by BigBull17

I like a move to a 34. Manning hates to play them. You can get alot more creative out of them. I think Mario as a OLB or a DE can thrive. He will get more 1 on 1 pass rushing chances, or free blitzers can rasie hell.

Sorry but I don't see Mario being able to play anything but the DE position in a 4-3 scheme. Unless you can prove me wrong, most successful OLBs in a 3-4 are usually average around 6'3" 250-260-Lbs and Mario eclipses that. Not to mention he is used to playing with his hands on the ground and bull rushing linemen and doesn't have good pass-rush moves that Clay Matthews or Cameron Wake do (with the exception of Tamba Hali).

I would like to throw out the possibility of trading for Kyle Williams (NT - Bills) if we can get Buffalo to agree with that (probably not, but he is a heck of a player to have/ Pro Bowl snub).

[Ole Miss Texan]

I wouldn't be against a 3-4 for this team. I just don't see Mario as an OLB at all. I think he would get exposed in coverage a lot. People say "well he would be our primary rusher" Yes that's true, he would have to be but other offenses know this too. I think he'd be a 3-4 DE and would see a lot of double teams, which personally I'm not against. That's where I'd put him... I doubt he would like that though.

[TheCD]

Originally Posted by Wolf6151

My .02 cents, if we make the switch to a 3-4 defense. We'll need a NT and more/better LB's. We also concentrate our FA efforts on a good CB like Bailey, Marshall, Joseph, or Rogers. My draft:

1. Robert Quinn-DE/OLB from N.C., great size and speed, instantly improves our pass rush and our lack of size in the LB corp.
2. Sione Fua-NT from Stanford, gets good leverage, handles 2 blockers and still pushes the pocket.
3. Jaiquawn Jarrett-FS from Temple, instant starter and upgrade at FS, can't help but be better than Wilson or Nolan and improves a very weak secondary.
4. Terrence Tolliver-WR from LSU, very tall WR with good speed, takes Jacoby Jones spot and becomes the redzone threat that Jones hasn't become yet. Jones has had his chances, time to move on.
5. Quentin Davie-OLB from Northwestern, good size and decent speed, adds depth to squad that will need it due to the 3-4 switch, will backup Quinn and Barwin.
6. Anthony Gray-NT from Southern Mississippi, we'll need a backup NT and will play on short yardage/goal line stands.
7. Derek Epperson-P from Baylor, it's obvious that Turk needs replacement and Epperson is a good one.


Starting Defensive Roster:

RDE: Mario Williams
NT: Sione Fua
LDE: Antonio Smith
OLB: Robert Quinn
MLB: Demeco Ryans
MLB: Brian Cushing
OLB: Connor Barwin
CB: FA Signing/Glover Quin
FS: Jaiquawn Jarrett
SS: Bernard Pollard
CB: Kareem Jackson

Opinions?

Sounds good if we switch, but I would say that we need to draft an OL in there somewhere (maybe at the 5th rounder). I say this simply because I believe in drafting at least 1 OL every draft simply due to the fact that you need to many and injuries tend to come in bunches to them.

[Wolf6151]

Originally Posted by TheCD

Sounds good if we switch, but I would say that we need to draft an OL in there somewhere (maybe at the 5th rounder). I say this simply because I believe in drafting at least 1 OL every draft simply due to the fact that you need to many and injuries tend to come in bunches to them.

I thought about adding an O-lineman and agree with you about the need of talent and depth most every year. I didn't pick one this year simply because of the shift to 3-4 will necessitate alot of defensive talent being added to the team. We'll need NT and LB's and will need depth at those positions as well. I chose Tolliver just in case Jacoby Jones walks and we need to replace him but if he stays then I wouldn't mind picking an O-lineman in the 4th or 5th.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by Wolf6151

My .02 cents, if we make the switch to a 3-4 defense. We'll need a NT and more/better LB's. We also concentrate our FA efforts on a good CB like Bailey, Marshall, Joseph, or Rogers. My draft:

1. Robert Quinn-DE/OLB from N.C., great size and speed, instantly improves our pass rush and our lack of size in the LB corp.
2. Sione Fua-NT from Stanford, gets good leverage, handles 2 blockers and still pushes the pocket.
3. Jaiquawn Jarrett-FS from Temple, instant starter and upgrade at FS, can't help but be better than Wilson or Nolan and improves a very weak secondary.
4. Terrence Tolliver-WR from LSU, very tall WR with good speed, takes Jacoby Jones spot and becomes the redzone threat that Jones hasn't become yet. Jones has had his chances, time to move on.
5. Quentin Davie-OLB from Northwestern, good size and decent speed, adds depth to squad that will need it due to the 3-4 switch, will backup Quinn and Barwin.
6. Anthony Gray-NT from Southern Mississippi, we'll need a backup NT and will play on short yardage/goal line stands.
7. Derek Epperson-P from Baylor, it's obvious that Turk needs replacement and Epperson is a good one.


Starting Defensive Roster:

RDE: Mario Williams
NT: Sione Fua
LDE: Antonio Smith
OLB: Robert Quinn
MLB: Demeco Ryans
MLB: Brian Cushing
OLB: Connor Barwin
CB: FA Signing/Glover Quin
FS: Jaiquawn Jarrett
SS: Bernard Pollard
CB: Kareem Jackson

Opinions?

That looks like we would be going young on defense again...

Not really a fan of that...

Also, I am not convinced Kareem Jackson is going to be goo dnext year...gonna have to show me something before I just name him a starter...

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by Rey

That looks like we would be going young on defense again...

Not really a fan of that...

Also, I am not convinced Kareem Jackson is going to be goo dnext year...gonna have to show me something before I just name him a starter...

expect Texans to bring in a veteren cb to start & use Kareem in nickle situations, maybe a move to FS.

[TEXANRED]

Starting Defensive Roster:

RDE: Mario Williams
NT: Sione Fua
LDE: Okoye
OLB: Conner Barwin
MLB: Demeco Ryans
MLB: Sharpton
OLB: Brian Cushing
CB: FA Signing/Glover Quin
FS: Jaiquawn Jarrett
SS: Bernard Pollard
CB: Kareem Jackson

This is how I would start. Then go from there.

[Wolf6151]

Originally Posted by TEXANRED

Starting Defensive Roster:

RDE: Mario Williams
NT: Sione Fua
LDE: Okoye
OLB: Conner Barwin
MLB: Demeco Ryans
MLB: Sharpton
OLB: Brian Cushing
CB: FA Signing/Glover Quin
FS: Jaiquawn Jarrett
SS: Bernard Pollard
CB: Kareem Jackson

This is how I would start. Then go from there.

Sharpton is to small to play MLB in a 3-4, he'd get killed out there. Cushing is better at playing the run, taking on blockers, and attacking the line of scrimmage than he is in pass coverage thus I'd play him at MLB. Barwin has great speed and natural pass rushing ability thus OLB is more natural for him. I think Okoye would move to a backup roll behind Mario and Antonio. Honestly though all of this is speculation on our part. We'll have to try each player at their respective positions to find out if they can handle it, the 3-4 is going to be new for alot of guys. Mario might suck in the 3-4 and Okoye might turn out to be great at 3-4 DE.