The 11-7 Mock

[Doppelganger]

Yep, the ride is over...but what a ride it was. First trip to the playoffs: check. First division title: check. First playoff game at home:check. First playoff victory:check. First playoff victory at home:check. Fans NOT clamoring for Kubiak to fired at the end of the season: Wow.

So with all of that, we end up with the 26th pick in the draft. As most teams in the playoffs, the Texans don't have any real significantly glaring needs and rather than reach, they can go BPA. That's what I did here.

1. Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin, 6’4, 312lbs, 5.21


He is a early to mid 2nd round grade right now, but when the draft comes he will be a first rounder. He was a force in helping to establish the Wisconsin run game by blasting big holes and by getting downfield for the secondary block. In the passing game, he moved his DTs around and gave his QB time to make the passes. He played possible 1st round DTs Jerel Worthy(MSU) and Devon Still(PSU) and played very well against each of them. Zeitler is the #2 OG in the draft behind DeCastro and would be an excellent fit for the Texans at LG or RG.

2. Dwight Jones WR, North Carolina, 6’5, 215, 4.53


It happens every year. There is always some borderline first round pick that drops to the early to mid 20's of the second round. Here is a quick list of players who were considered borderline first rounders, who eventually fell to the 20's of the second round:

2011: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
2010: Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
2009: Shady McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh
2008: Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers.
2007:Ryan Kalil, C, USC
2006: Greg Jennings, WR, Western Michigan
2005: Vincent Jackson, WR, Northern Colorado/Justin Miller CB, Clemson

Jones could certainly drop. On my ratings board he is the #6 WR behind Blackmon, Jeffery, Sanu, Floyd, and Wright. So, it is certainly possible he could slide. He also had some bad drops in his bowl game. Its never good to have your drops in the biggest game of your career. He is a very good player and like the above will play well when he gets to Sunday.

3. Philip Blake, C, Baylor, 6’3, 320, 5.58


Blake has played well all year and really helped RGIII establish himself as a top QB. Blake is a big powerful Center that moves well and can play a power or ZBS scheme. He would be an excellent addition. He practically shut down Ta'amu in the Alamo Bowl.

4. Mister Cobble, NT, Kentucky, 6’0, 332, 5.35


A piss poor year for NTs. The best one Ta'amu is nothing special. Poe is a space eater who didn't record a tackle for loss in the last 4 games of the season. Chapman is a clogger who has shown limited skills as a pass rusher. Mister Cobble could go back to school and probably should. Then again, he really came on as a force at the end of the season. He put up six tackles, two tackles for a loss, and a sack in his last two games against Georgia and Tennessee. He has good speed and strength. Give Wade some time to work with Mister Cobble and he will take this raw prospect and make him into a quality NT.

5. Marquis Maze, WR/PR/KR, Alabama, 5’10, 190, 4.44


Maze pulled his hamstring in the National Championship game, but all season he has been the #1 receiver for the Champs. He also is big time KR/PR. He would immediately step in and take over PR return from JJ who needs to stop returning them and Manning, who needs to be kept fresh for Safety play. In addition he would become a very solid shifty slot receiver on the team.

6. Adrien Cole, ILB, Louisiana Tech, 5’11, 250, 4.71


A sleeper ILB. He was the WAC Defensive Player of the Year, had 127 tackles with 13 tackles for a loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, one interception, and three blocked kicks. He is a high motor football player. Initially he will be a Special Teams monster and will add quality depth at ILB. Give him some time and don't be surprised to see him getting some time at ILB spelling Cush or Meco.

7. Quinn Sharp, K/P, Oklahoma State, 6’1, 189
This pick allows us to potentially have 1 kicker/Punter on the team. Sharp made high pressure kicks during the Fiesta Bowl and could do it here too. Sharp is as good as Rackers but is a lot cheaper. That money could be spent elsewhere. In addition he can punt too. If Hartmann can't punt like he did prior to his injury, Sharp can do it. Having one kicker, saves a roster spot that can be used for another important position.

[beerlover]

No Wendy's "Where's the Beef" jokes with those big boys up on top. nice looking dopplemock

[Honoring Earl 34]

I like it .

1. Zeitler would elevate a good OL a notch or to .

2. A Jones not named Jacoby is a need and he has some talent .

3. Another big guy and with Myers a FA and Caldwell and Wade Smith not so good it's a nice pick .

4. Mister ... who would have thought a team with a Mister and a Mistar .

5. Maze is another weapon that the Texans need .

6. LB depth

7. A kicker to give Rackers some competition .

[beerlover]

OK, now for proper feedback you richly deserve.

1. Everyone on this board seems to be on board with Zeitler, so I don't think anyone is going to ***** too much. He is a solid football player ready to start next level in his career. The Texan front office & coaching staff would have to grade him out a solid middle to late 1st to be selected 26th factoring needs. It will be interesting to see what he actually measures @ the combine, he's built low to the ground, maybe 6-3 & solid 320 to me. Closer to Wade Smith 6-4 310 than Mike Brisiel 6-5 300 who is the free many are not expecting to get a lucrative offer but you just never know? If he does I think taking Kevin Zeitler makes a whole lot of sense here.

2. I like how you set up the pick of Dwight Jones still being on the board because, it always happens to players that you don't expect then give examples. Good rationalization. If Zeitler replaces Brisiel & Dwight, Jacoby Texans won't even skip a beat in fact it's not going too far out on a limb to say they could be better. DJ has a solid, productive resume besides catching some passes from TJ Yates. Would love this pick here if as you say, "There is always some borderline first round pick that drops to the early to mid 20's of the second round".

3. Blake is worth a 3rd round pick & believe he's selected earlier than most people think. Myers is also a free agent so you just never know, but can't imagine Texans losing both players? I really hope they keep both of them which unfortunately nullifies both your 1 & 3 picks, we'll just have to wait, at least this year it will be back to FA business as usual before the draft arrives.

4. Mister Cobble is reportedly, returning to school so there goes another fly sticky on the wall. One sack for 3 yards & 8 solo tackles aren't exactly awe inspiring numbers, not even Okamesque. Will keep eye next year to see how he develops.

5. Marquis Maze looks like a fierce competitor, when he's on the field. Has the kind of speed Texans need, returner is a MUST so I wouldn't wait after the 5th to make sure you lock one down. Played in a big program, under NFL coaching should transfer well to next level. Like this one.

6. Sleeper pick in 6th why wait this long? Anyway looks like a good player very productive fills a need for depth on roster & special teams.

7. Really liked Matt Bosher last year he went late 6th. Isn't Quinn Sharp a Junior? It would really be something if kickers start coming out early. 46 yards a punt & almost 70 yards on kick-offs shows he's got plenty of pop & FG avg of 88% above average accuracy.

[Wolf6151]

I really like the first 3 picks though I'd flip flop 1 and 2, Jones won't be available at our pick in the 2nd round and Zeitler might though we may have to trade up a little to ensure getting him. I'm gonna have to do some research on Cobble, his name keeps popping up here and I don't know anything about him. I'm OK with Maze in the 5th as a PR/KR. I'm not familiar with Cole, seems short for an ILB. How's he going to take on 6'05" 320 lbs. O-linemen and stop the run. I really like the Sharp pick, a dual P/K makes so much sense to save a roster spot. We better hope he never gets hurt though or we're double screwed.

IF, our draft fell like this I'd be happy. Those first 3 picks are really good.

[Doppelganger]

Originally Posted by beerlover

No Wendy's "Where's the Beef" jokes with those big boys up on top. nice looking dopplemock

Ha! Nice one!!!

Originally Posted by beerlover

OK, now for proper feedback you richly deserve.

1. Everyone on this board seems to be on board with Zeitler, so I don't think anyone is going to ***** too much. He is a solid football player ready to start next level in his career. The Texan front office & coaching staff would have to grade him out a solid middle to late 1st to be selected 26th factoring needs. It will be interesting to see what he actually measures @ the combine, he's built low to the ground, maybe 6-3 & solid 320 to me. Closer to Wade Smith 6-4 310 than Mike Brisiel 6-5 300 who is the free many are not expecting to get a lucrative offer but you just never know? If he does I think taking Kevin Zeitler makes a whole lot of sense here.

Zeitler just makes so much sense to me. I think the Texans will sign Myers and let Briesel walk due to money issues. Myers is a small ZBS Center and cant really play anywhere else. Briesel is bigger and can play Power or ZBS, so he will be tougher to retain.

Originally Posted by beerlover

2. I like how you set up the pick of Dwight Jones still being on the board because, it always happens to players that you don't expect then give examples. Good rationalization. If Zeitler replaces Brisiel & Dwight, Jacoby Texans won't even skip a beat in fact it's not going too far out on a limb to say they could be better. DJ has a solid, productive resume besides catching some passes from TJ Yates. Would love this pick here if as you say, "There is always some borderline first round pick that drops to the early to mid 20's of the second round".

One of the negatives for Jones is that outside of Blackmon, there are no other WRs who are rated in the top 20. Once you get there, then you have several WRs who are kinda bunched together. Someone interesting is going to fall to our pick in the 2nd round, always happens. Why not Jones?

Originally Posted by beerlover

3. Blake is worth a 3rd round pick & believe he's selected earlier than most people think. Myers is also a free agent so you just never know, but can't imagine Texans losing both players? I really hope they keep both of them which unfortunately nullifies both your 1 & 3 picks, we'll just have to wait, at least this year it will be back to FA business as usual before the draft arrives.

Center is always a tough position to project. Konz is a surefire first rounder, much like Nick Mangold was when he was drafted. Outside of him, you have a Ben Jones, Michael Brewster, and Phillip Blake. None of them warrant 1st round status and they could go anywhere from the 2nd-3rd round. Depends on the team. Centers are a tough position to transition to from college, so most teams tend to downrate Centers compared to other OL positions.

Originally Posted by beerlover

4. Mister Cobble is reportedly, returning to school so there goes another fly sticky on the wall. One sack for 3 yards & 8 solo tackles aren't exactly awe inspiring numbers, not even Okamesque. Will keep eye next year to see how he develops.

Shoot. Didn't see that. Honestly it makes a lot of sense for him to return to school. He has come along well in the last few games and I saw him as the guy Wade likes, a guy who pushes forward as opposed to a big tub of immovable goo. Will need to go back to the draft board

Originally Posted by beerlover

5. Marquis Maze looks like a fierce competitor, when he's on the field. Has the kind of speed Texans need, returner is a MUST so I wouldn't wait after the 5th to make sure you lock one down. Played in a big program, under NFL coaching should transfer well to next level. Like this one.

Thanks! I really think the Texans had the right idea when they took Trindon Holliday. The team needed a guy who could return punts and kicks. Take away what JJ did against Baltimore and he still was always a liability back there. Manning is a great KR, but we really need to save him to be a saftey. In addition to returning, Maze actually played well as a WR at Bama. How much fun would it be to set up a package where we have AJ and DJ at the edge spots, OD in the middle of the field, AF in the backfield and then you bring in a guy like Maze for a quick screen?!

Originally Posted by beerlover

6. Sleeper pick in 6th why wait this long? Anyway looks like a good player very productive fills a need for depth on roster & special teams.

The thing is he is short. He is listed at 5'11, so he may really be around 5'10 or so. He is really stocky though and close to the ground. His height will hurt him since so many scouts get suckered in with size rather than playing ability.

Originally Posted by beerlover

7. Really liked Matt Bosher last year he went late 6th. Isn't Quinn Sharp a Junior? It would really be something if kickers start coming out early. 46 yards a punt & almost 70 yards on kick-offs shows he's got plenty of pop & FG avg of 88% above average accuracy.

Yep, Sharp is a junior, but I don't know if he wants to return to OSU. He just played in the Fiesta Bowl and played a HUGE role in it. He showed good versatility with punting and kicking. If he returns, Blackmon and Weeden are both gone, so he may get fewer opportunities to kick FGs and epas and more opportunities to punt. Since FG kicking gets paid more than punting, he may decide to cash in now rather than see his draft status fall simply becuase he didn't get enough fgas.

[Doppelganger]

Originally Posted by Honoring Earl 34

I like it .

1. Zeitler would elevate a good OL a notch or to .

2. A Jones not named Jacoby is a need and he has some talent .

3. Another big guy and with Myers a FA and Caldwell and Wade Smith not so good it's a nice pick .

4. Mister ... who would have thought a team with a Mister and a Mistar .

5. Maze is another weapon that the Texans need .

6. LB depth

7. A kicker to give Rackers some competition .

Thanks! Mister and Sharp may not come out afterall, but I think the rest is fairly reasonable (at least at this point!)

[badboy]

I can't find anything on Cobble returning to school but he should. He missed 2010 and played well last few games. Just a hunch but I think he wants to get into NFL ASAP & will come out. I have him in 5th on my last mock so if anyone can confirm he remains in college please let me know so I can adjust mock.