Wanted 3-4 OLB's

[beerlover]

I'm just going down Ourlads list in order of ranking possible OLB fits for Texans. Make your case for who the Texans should & will draft if available later on today. Note had to edit two, Martez Wilson/Quan Sturdivant only allowed to include 6 images & both are rated as ILB's.

Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia, 6027 270 4.68 Dominant size for position, has some experience in system. Questionable work ethic/instincts. Red Flag for substance abuse (pot). Imposing quick twitch athletic big man who was very productive w/10 sacks & 18 1/2 TTL.

Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA, 6024 254 Plays best on line of scrimmage as a pass rusher. Can shade the corner & flex to get to the QB. Is proficient in pass coverage as well. Very fluid athlete not a quick twitch type.

Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina, 6020 241 Coming off left knee injury, otherwise 1st rd. talent. Doesn't stay blocked, great instincts, quickness total package when healthy.

Jabaal Sheard, DE/OLB, Pittsburgh, 6027 264 4.69 Long arms/big hands for position (reminds me of a mini Tyson Alalu) toughness above all others & relentless downhill pass rusher. Red flag, cleared up, under the radar prospect.

Sam Acho, DE/OLB, Texas, 6016 257 4.68 Smart well proportioned athlete. Good flexability, knee bend & leverage coming off edge. Another good hustle player who fits workman like attitude Texans covet.

Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona, 6024 263 4.65 Explosive first step. Another high motor/effort guy who likes to get after it & chase down the ball. Bears a striking resemblance to Clay Matthews III in looks & style of game.

[rmartin65]

Great thread BL.

I would rank them like this:

1) Justin Houston- Monster of an OLB at 270, but still incredibly fluid and quick. He has experience in the 3-4, which is a huge bonus, as he will have some idea of what is going on. The buzz is that he is dropping due to a failed drug test.

2) Brooks Reed- Another good player, evokes images of CM3. A bit of a linear athlete on tape, which is my main concern

3) Bruce Carter- Possibly the most athletically gifted, but with injury concerns, and the wonder if he will ever "get it".

4) Akeem Ayers- like BL said, Ayers is more fluid than sudden. I would not be upset with the pick, but I would prefer to go another direction.

The next two players I feel it is too early for, however, it is unlikely they will be there in the 3rd, so if they want them, they have to reach or trade down.

5) Sam Acho
6) Jabaal Sheard

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by rmartin65

Great thread BL.

I would rank them like this:

1) Justin Houston- Monster of an OLB at 270, but still incredibly fluid and quick. He has experience in the 3-4, which is a huge bonus, as he will have some idea of what is going on. The buzz is that he is dropping due to a failed drug test.

2) Brooks Reed- Another good player, evokes images of CM3. A bit of a linear athlete on tape, which is my main concern

3) Bruce Carter- Possibly the most athletically gifted, but with injury concerns, and the wonder if he will ever "get it".

4) Akeem Ayers- like BL said, Ayers is more fluid than sudden. I would not be upset with the pick, but I would prefer to go another direction.

The next two players I feel it is too early for, however, it is unlikely they will be there in the 3rd, so if they want them, they have to reach or trade down.

5) Sam Acho
6) Jabaal Sheard

Good. Spot on me thinks but how are the Texans viewing his...er... discretion

[Honoring Earl 34]

I mentioned in another thread that I'd ask the Vikings ( they don't have a third ) about the price of the pick right after us . Our 3rd + ? , and pick an OLB with a CB/S .

Houston and Dowling
Ayers and Williams
Reed and Austin
Williams and Sheard

Dream dream dream dream dream

[Blake]

Would you give up our 5th round pick to leap frog the Titans and Cowboys and take Wilson or Aaron Williams, or stay pat and take Moore or Paea?

[BigBull17]

Originally Posted by Super Mario

Would you give up our 5th round pick to leap frog the Titans and Cowboys and take Wilson or Aaron Williams, or stay pat and take Moore or Paea?

If he's your guy, yeah. You can always trade back in the 3rd to get another pick later.

[Blake]

Originally Posted by BigBull17

If he's your guy, yeah. You can always trade back in the 3rd to get another pick later.

I think the Texans will try to walk away from round 2 with either Reed, Houston, or Ayers.

I know Ayers isnt a board favorite, but I think he is the best rush/drop combo linebacker.

[kiwitexansfan]

Originally Posted by Super Mario

I think the Texans will try to walk away from round 2 with either Reed, Houston, or Ayers.

I know Ayers isnt a board favorite, but I think he is the best rush/drop combo linebacker.

Ayers would be AWESOME across from your main rush threat.

Maybe Barwin can be that guy. If you are backing Barwin to be our RUSH LB, then take Ayers.

[BigBull17]

Originally Posted by Super Mario

I think the Texans will try to walk away from round 2 with either Reed, Houston, or Ayers.

I know Ayers isnt a board favorite, but I think he is the best rush/drop combo linebacker.

I wasn't an Ayers in the first fan. In the second he is an absolute steal. We won't draft him, but I would LOVE Houston.

[The1ApplePie]

So, outside Bowers, is Houston the best pure rusher left?

From my understanding, Ayers is a Cushing type player, while Reed is more of a No. 2 rusher (like Spencer with Dallas).

You guys are the experts, so I'll probably just follow you guys

[Mr teX]

I'd prefer

1.)Ayers - solid in all phases
2.) Houston - if not for the drug test he'd be 1b with ayers
3.) Sheard
4.) Reed - just am weary trying to clone clay matthews III with a guy not neary as athletic as him.
5.) Carter - mainly b/c of the left knee surgery

[Blake]

DIdnt Sheard thow a dude threw a glass window at a bar? I think he should be below Reed.

[Texan4Ever]

Just throwing this out there, 3-4 OLBs can come later in the draft or even as UDFA (e.g. Cameron Wake, James Harrison). I'm going to throw in some late round/FAs we could look at:


Alex Wujciak - ILB from Maryland: The reason I am high on him is because of his production as a college football player. 381 career tackles, 22 TFLs, and 4 INTs as a MLB.

Mike Mohamd - Could play inside or outside and needs to bulk up but, a hard worker with excellent instincts. Is a disruptor who causes chaos behind the LOS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpWO9NPGqTQ

[kiwitexansfan]

Originally Posted by Texan4Ever

Just throwing this out there, 3-4 OLBs can come later in the draft or even as UDFA (e.g. Cameron Wake, James Harrison). I'm going to throw in some late round/FAs we could look at:


Alex Wujciak - ILB from Maryland: The reason I am high on him is because of his production as a college football player. 381 career tackles, 22 TFLs, and 4 INTs as a MLB.

Mike Mohamd - Could play inside or outside and needs to bulk up but, a hard worker with excellent instincts. Is a disruptor who causes chaos behind the LOS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpWO9NPGqTQ

OOOOH, if we are going to play this game can I throw in Thomas Keiser from Stanford?

[The1ApplePie]

Originally Posted by Super Mario

DIdnt Sheard thow a dude threw a glass window at a bar? I think he should be below Reed.

I don't really see that as a bad thing for an LB, but that's just me

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by Super Mario

DIdnt Sheard thow a dude threw a glass window at a bar? I think he should be below Reed.

Originally Posted by The1ApplePie

I don't really see that as a bad thing for an LB, but that's just me

LOL, was just going to say... the kid just moved up on my list! hahaha

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by Super Mario

I think the Texans will try to walk away from round 2 with either Reed, Houston, or Ayers.

I know Ayers isnt a board favorite, but I think he is the best rush/drop combo linebacker.

I agree, but if the Texans chose Watt that means they place a high value on motor, work ethic & character these are all things shared by Reed. So unless they select a CB, Brooks Reed would be my guess to become the next Houston Texan

[Texan4Ever]

Originally Posted by kiwitexansfan

OOOOH, if we are going to play this game can I throw in Thomas Keiser from Stanford?

Why not? I would rather risk it on an UDFA or low round pick than a first round pick who turns into a bust (e.g. Vernon Gholston, Aaron Maybin)

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by beerlover

I agree, but if the Texans chose Watt that means they place a high value on motor, work ethic & character these are all things shared by Reed. So unless they select a CB, Brooks Reed would be my guess to become the next Houston Texan

Why the toropalm? Not a Reed fan?

If we do get him, we'll have Watt, Barwin, Demeco, Cushing and Reed in the Front 7 who all pride themselves on working as hard as they can. 5 guys with tremendous work ethic and don't expect anything to be handed to them. I'd absolutely love it.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by Ole Miss Texan

Why the toropalm? Not a Reed fan?

If we do get him, we'll have Watt, Barwin, Demeco, Cushing and Reed in the Front 7 who all pride themselves on working as hard as they can. 5 guys with tremendous work ethic and don't expect anything to be handed to them. I'd absolutely love it.

love reed too, like watt, but think the Texans might just go CB/FS