BADBOY's mock half season

[badboy]

Round & round I go trying to improve on what BL & RM65 & I posted in our joint mock. I have only one change so I will not post each players stats as already on that mock. Here are facts I just can't get past. Mario Williams will be back as a Texan. Phillips has improved our run defense with Cody. Ta'Amu may or may not be avail in first but I now believe Wade would not select him. I do not see a starting corner at #25 (Gilmore will be gone). Having said that the best way to improve this defense for the future is with an inside linebacker that can challenge Demeco immediately and stengthen our LB corps as did Barwin and Reed. Powerful ILBs Cushing/Ryans/Hightower will replace the big Nose I want but will not get.

1. ILB Dont'a Hightower Alabama 6'4 260lbs 4.67 but should break 4.60 @ combine. He has 46 tackles, 1 INT and 1.5 sacks. He turns 22 just before the 2012 draft. Extremely strong, powerful LB who can fall back in coverage.
http://www.nfldraftbible.com/NFL-Insider-Insider-info/2011-nfl-draft-watch-41-donta-hightower.html

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=2761

2. WR Kendall Wright : I keep looking for a better guy & just can't. He is a burner who can catch; not a JJ nor a Walter, better than both.

3. CB Casey Hayward: Best player available and I think can start over KJ, Allen and maybe my guy Brandon Harris. If nothing else, we can cut a corner less talented of which there are several.

4. SS/FS/CB WInston Guy: moved to LB to take advantage of his skills. Can play all DB spots except CB1. Allows another corner and a safety to be cut. Research this guy & you will be as impressed as me. Could be better than Quin.
5. C/Rg/RT Phillip Blake solid back up at all positions. Find a better one this low that can play 3 spots.

6. DE Blake Bequette: I wanted to find a better player but could not. Motor like Watt.

UDFA: Never done this before but Chad Diehl FB Clemson 6'2" 265lb. Devastating lead blocker. No he is not a halfback and will not give you many yards or receptions. He will blow holes for Tate and Foster to walk through and he will protect Schaub if needed. He can score from the 3 yard line or get a first and 1 straight through the middle. I'd be sitting on his door with a contract ASAP.

 

[Wolf6151]

1. Hightower, this guy will be a stud 3-4 ILB in the NFL against the run, he's like having an extra lineman with mobility. I don't think ILB is our highest priority (NT or CB) but I sure can't argue with the quality of player.
2. Wright, I've said this before, I just like a bigger WR like Jones or Criner and also think this is probably to early for Wright.
3. Hayward, I think he's gone by this pick, probably early 2nd round.
4. Guy, good pick as a depth FS and PR/KR.
5. Blake, Good developmental depth and utility O-lineman.
6. Bequette, you think he'll fall this far? Maybe due to injury. Great value if available.

I like Diehl as an UDFA, another Vonta Leach.

 

[beerlover]

Round & round I go trying to improve on what BL & RM65 & I posted in our joint mock. I have only one change so I will not post each players stats as already on that mock. Here are facts I just can't get past. Mario Williams will be back as a Texan. Phillips has improved our run defense with Cody. Ta'Amu may or may not be avail in first but I now believe Wade would not select him. I do not see a starting corner at #25 (Gilmore will be gone). Having said that the best way to improve this defense for the future is with an inside linebacker that can challenge Demeco immediately and stengthen our LB corps as did Barwin and Reed. Powerful ILBs Cushing/Ryans/Hightower will replace the big Nose I want but will not get.

1. ILB Dont'a Hightower Alabama 6'4 260lbs 4.67 but should break 4.60 @ combine. He has 46 tackles, 1 INT and 1.5 sacks. He turns 22 just before the 2012 draft. Extremely strong, powerful LB who can fall back in coverage.
http://www.nfldraftbible.com/NFL-Insider-Insider-info/2011-nfl-draft-watch-41-donta-hightower.html

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=2761

2. WR Kendall Wright : I keep looking for a better guy & just can't. He is a burner who can catch; not a JJ nor a Walter, better than both.

3. CB Casey Hayward: Best player available and I think can start over KJ, Allen and maybe my guy Brandon Harris. If nothing else, we can cut a corner less talented of which there are several.

4. SS/FS/CB WInston Guy: moved to LB to take advantage of his skills. Can play all DB spots except CB1. Allows another corner and a safety to be cut. Research this guy & you will be as impressed as me. Could be better than Quin.
5. C/Rg/RT Phillip Blake solid back up at all positions. Find a better one this low that can play 3 spots.

6. DE Blake Bequette: I wanted to find a better player but could not. Motor like Watt.

UDFA: Never done this before but Chad Diehl FB Clemson 6'2" 265lb. Devastating lead blocker. No he is not a halfback and will not give you many yards or receptions. He will blow holes for Tate and Foster to walk through and he will protect Schaub if needed. He can score from the 3 yard line or get a first and 1 straight through the middle. I'd be sitting on his door with a contract ASAP.

1. Hightower would pretty much nullify DeMeco, would you see this as priority to Rick Smith & Co.?

2. I'll give Wright another shot, last game not his or Baylor's best & what is up with RG3? I see WR need but can't resolve myself to any specific player where Texans select over a more NFL physical presence on defense.

3. Want a top CB prospect not second tier, Texans already have plenty of those.

4. Guy is a physical speciment no doubt about that. We've talked extensively about Gover Quinn as long term solution @ SS. FS with Manning out is open for discussion.

5. Sticking by Blake, I like that! Although average NFL talent I'm pro investment in OL upgrades.

6. Blake Bequette is a nice player if still available? Good pick either way

 

[badboy]

1. Hightower, this guy will be a stud 3-4 ILB in the NFL against the run, he's like having an extra lineman with mobility. I don't think ILB is our highest priority (NT or CB) but I sure can't argue with the quality of player.
2. Wright, I've said this before, I just like a bigger WR like Jones or Criner and also think this is probably to early for Wright.
3. Hayward, I think he's gone by this pick, probably early 2nd round.
4. Guy, good pick as a depth FS and PR/KR.
5. Blake, Good developmental depth and utility O-lineman.
6. Bequette, you think he'll fall this far? Maybe due to injury. Great value if available.

I like Diehl as an UDFA, another Vonta Leach.

Oh, i agree on CB and nose but as state in thread, I just don't see Phillips having same priority. I would love to be wrong.

I fluctuated between Jones and Wright but I have to go with Kendall. Jones reminds me a lot of Jacoby and Dwight does litle after catch. I also think you might be right on Hayward going in 2nd but one mock I researched had late first and the other in third late.

 

[badboy]

1. Hightower would pretty much nullify DeMeco, would you see this as priority to Rick Smith & Co.?

2. I'll give Wright another shot, last game not his or Baylor's best & what is up with RG3? I see WR need but can't resolve myself to any specific player where Texans select over a more NFL physical presence on defense.

3. Want a top CB prospect not second tier, Texans already have plenty of those.

4. Guy is a physical speciment no doubt about that. We've talked extensively about Gover Quinn as long term solution @ SS. FS with Manning out is open for discussion.

5. Sticking by Blake, I like that! Although average NFL talent I'm pro investment in OL upgrades.

6. Blake Bequette is a nice player if still available? Good pick either way

IMO, we are not going to get a starting CB in first. Gilmore should not be at 23-25 imo. Walter has him as a top 20. All first level Corners will be gone by our 2nd pick and we must decide which has priority WR2 or CB2. If you look at the defensive stat ratings Phillips has turned it around. Using an arguement you have presented several times, Texans have selected CB high and with little to show for it. I'm saying Phillips probably agrees. I think Cb will be selected but not in 1st or 2nd. I think Hayward (11 INTs in 1 1/2 season is as good if not better than McMannis or McCain. Harris and Roc Carmichael we have only their college stats so far and I like Hayward better.

Why go WR in first when a very good one will be there in 2nd? That leaves only RG and ILB. I see Hightower is very good insurance in case Cushing or Ryans is injured. Briesel while not the best OG does not miss many plays. Again, I see LB corp as extremely important to this defense and they have been dropping all season long. Hightower BPA other than Ta'Amu which Philips probably will not draft. SUre hope I'm wrong.

 

[Wolf6151]

Why go WR in first when a very good one will be there in 2nd? That leaves only RG and ILB. I see Hightower is very good insurance in case Cushing or Ryans is injured. Briesel while not the best OG does not miss many plays. Again, I see LB corp as extremely important to this defense and they have been dropping all season long. Hightower BPA other than Ta'Amu which Philips probably will not draft. SUre hope I'm wrong.

I believe Briesel is an UFA at the end of this season and though he seems to be playing well I don't think he has the talent level that would be hard to replace. Just something to think about if your looking for a place to spend that 1st round pick David Decastro-OG should be available and his 1st round contract would probably be cheaper than Briesel's FA contract.

Cushing is a beast this year and Ryans seems to be playing better the last few weeks. Provided Ryans stays healthy and continues to improve I don't think there's any way the Texans pick an ILB in the 1st round to sit as depth. They'll want production out of anyone they pick in the 1st. All the good CB's will probably be gone, unless we get lucky or trade up, so that leaves WR, NT, or OG as possible 1st round picks, maybe OLB as well if we let Mario walk or trade him.

 

[badboy]

How about Carl Nicks (Saints)in free agency if you have to replace Briesel? I don't think Decastro as good as he is will replace Briesel. I would not be PO if we draft him, just think a OG can be drafted later. You think Decastro can start. We have a difference in opinion. There is no way Hightower would sit as neither has Sharpton. Wade likes to rotate his OLBS and Hightower would allow him better options to do same with ILBs.

Fans have said they want to see Foster's carries to be reduced to keep him fresh and strong for end of season & play offs. Same theory for ILBS.

 

[Insideop]

I believe Briesel is an UFA at the end of this season and though he seems to be playing well I don't think he has the talent level that would be hard to replace. Just something to think about if your looking for a place to spend that 1st round pick David Decastro-OG should be available and his 1st round contract would probably be cheaper than Briesel's FA contract.

Cushing is a beast this year and Ryans seems to be playing better the last few weeks. Provided Ryans stays healthy and continues to improve I don't think there's any way the Texans pick an ILB in the 1st round to sit as depth. They'll want production out of anyone they pick in the 1st. All the good CB's will probably be gone, unless we get lucky or trade up, so that leaves WR, NT, or OG as possible 1st round picks, maybe OLB as well if we let Mario walk or trade him.

Although I would love to get DeCastro in the 1st round, and Walterfootball.com has us picking him in the 1st on their latest mock to replace Wade, I think you are forgetting we still have Caldwell waiting in the wings. If I recall he may have been injured earlier this season and that's why we haven't seen him. I know he's played a lot in the past and started when Briesel was out with injury. Also, we still have Shelley Smith and Studdard on IR. So I don't think they will draft a G in the 1st. It's not their M.O.

 

[Wolf6151]

Oh I haven't forgotten about Caldwell, I had high expectations for him coming out of college but in his years here he hasn't been able to beat out Briesel yet and own the RG position. Very disappointing. IMO Studdard should have been gone 2-3 yrs. ago, he's not very good, emergency level depth only, but Studdards dad and Kubiak are close friends so I think Jr. got some NFL level welfare from the Texans and Kubiak. I'd like to see Shelley Smith get a chance since he looked good in preseason games last year, any idea what wrong with him if anything? Between those 3 guys though I don't see anyone that jumps out at me as an impressive stud OG.

 

[rmartin65]

Hightower is a heck of a player. I think an ILB in the first would certainly be a way to go, depending on how the draft breaks down. Nice mock!

 

[Insideop]

Oh I haven't forgotten about Caldwell, I had high expectations for him coming out of college but in his years here he hasn't been able to beat out Briesel yet and own the RG position. Very disappointing. IMO Studdard should have been gone 2-3 yrs. ago, he's not very good, emergency level depth only, but Studdards dad and Kubiak are close friends so I think Jr. got some NFL level welfare from the Texans and Kubiak. I'd like to see Shelley Smith get a chance since he looked good in preseason games last year, any idea what wrong with him if anything? Between those 3 guys though I don't see anyone that jumps out at me as an impressive stud OG.

I will say this, if the Texans end up picking where I hope they pick, and Hightower is gone, then I hope they do go with DeCastro if he's still available. I'd rather get someone that is considered the best at his position rather than a player that's the 3rd or 4th best at another position.

 

[badboy]

I believe Briesel is an UFA at the end of this season and though he seems to be playing well I don't think he has the talent level that would be hard to replace. Just something to think about if your looking for a place to spend that 1st round pick David Decastro-OG should be available and his 1st round contract would probably be cheaper than Briesel's FA contract.

Cushing is a beast this year and Ryans seems to be playing better the last few weeks. Provided Ryans stays healthy and continues to improve I don't think there's any way the Texans pick an ILB in the 1st round to sit as depth. They'll want production out of anyone they pick in the 1st. All the good CB's will probably be gone, unless we get lucky or trade up, so that leaves WR, NT, or OG as possible 1st round picks, maybe OLB as well if we let Mario walk or trade him.

Looks like he was re-signed last July to "undisclosed" contract. Whatever that is.
http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4096/mike-brisiel