EVOLVIST's Rap Sheet - Mock 2

[EVOLVIST]

My second Draft "Rap Sheet." I'll probably only make one more before the draft (or not). I drafted BPA, by round, by need, based upon holes, taking into consideration Texans history with Kubes and Rick Smith.

I also did not take a running back because not only is the fate of Derrick Ward still up in the air, but we also have Jevarris Williams on roster. Hey, throw in a UDFA of Kube's choice and we're cool.

Offensive line? They just need a wee more depth. Nobody in this draft is going to come in and start right away in the ZBS. But hell, they already have Shelly Smith, Cody Walker, Derek Newton, Andrew Gardner and Thomas Austin all as backups. That's a whole other offensive line...and change.

1.) WR – Kendall Wright (Baylor) – If he's there the Texans will take him. I really don't like these shorter kids as a true flanker, but there's no doubt that Wright is a loaded weapon when he steps on the field. He will give you production and an automatic final piece we need – not as AJ's replacement, but that will come with time. Otherwise, it's Reuben Randall, Stephen Hill or Alshon Jeffery...but Uncle Bob made it pretty clear where the Texans are going with their #1 pick.

2.) OLB -Vinny Curry (Marshall) – Really as a rotation guy, which Wade's defense is predicated on, this is the guy you want if you can't get Shea Mclellin. Really I believe Bruce Irvin to be off-the-charts good, but the Texans won't take a maniac. What Curry will give you are sacks, pressures, and anything extra you want from him. I think his backside playmaking ability will help him in the next level.

3.) CB - Chase Minnifield (Virginia) – Right now the Texans are going into the season with 6 CBs. They carried 7 last year, and Rick Smith said they always like to carry that many (sighting 8 as the number). Short of signing someone in free agency, Chase Minnifield is the best-of-the-rest and a real sleeper. I have him rated as the 6th best CB in this year's draft. A 4-year starter with 13 Ints, your best chances of grooming a future starter in the NFL is the kid who had the most reps in college. He's a ballhawk.

4.) ILB - Audie Cole (North Carolina State) – To be honest, Cole is the best pass defending LB in this year's draft with any real competition on the other side of the ball to judge by. He can play inside and outside, but I picture him as an upgrade to Sharpton (not that Sharpton is bad, mind you). 112 tackles last year? Wow, this kid is crazy good and he had 5.5 sacks to go along with it. I'll take that, please.

4.) TE - James Hanna (Oklahoma) – People ask about the next Gronkowski? Well, this is your most likely candidate from this year's draft. The Texans always go into the season with 4 TEs. Right now they have 3 (if you count Casey). Hanna will not only fill out the roster, but if you want to keep replenishing the well, then jump up a little and get him.

5.) FS/SS - Tramain Thomas (Arkansas) - 6'0" 200lbs 38.5 vert!!! - 225 Tackles (92 Tackles in 2011) 12 INts (5 in 2011) 13 Passes Defended (6 in 2011) – Yeah, we're really thin in the safety department now, unless the Texans get back Demps or Barber. So the Texans pick Thomas as a sleeper, with real instinct. Just a fine football player, who could start with one year under his belt. Gotta love the SEC in this guy.

6.) DT – Akiem Hicks (Regina) – After one more year of "On The Nose," the Texans can make up for picking Earl Mitchell instead of Geno Atkins in 2010. 'Nuff Said.

7.) OG - Jaymes Brooks (Virginia Tech) – A good ZBS candidate. Right now he's depth.

UDFA - QB - Austin Davis/Case Keenum (whichever one goes undrafted) – I doubt Austin Davis will be there, and like everyone else I'd like to see what Kubes can do with Keenum.

UDFA - FB - Drake Dunsmore – This guy is not only good in the run game, but he has hands for days.

 

[otisbean]

I like it! I really like, Wight, Curry, and Cole. The only switch I'd like to see is Mike Martin in the 3rd. I don't know why Im so high on this guy. I think he's the perfect Wade Phillips NT. I'd also like to see what Harris and Carmichael bring to the defensive backfield as well.

 

[Rey]

Yeah, I'm really feeling mike Martin in this defense.

 

[bah007]

I would take Dunsmore in the 4th round. No kidding. That's a 10 year FB right there, especially in our offense. Plug him in at FB and move Casey back to TE and our depth issue at the position is solved. That would give us four guys who can play some TE (Dunsmore can in certain packages) and two guys who can play a FB/H-Back role.

Nothing against Hanna, but Gronkowski comparisons are getting thrown about far too often this offseason. There is no Gronk in this class, period. I had him rated as a top ten talent who fell in the draft because of a very significant back injury. There is no top ten TE in this draft.

 

[EVOLVIST]

I would take Dunsmore in the 4th round. No kidding. That's a 10 year FB right there, especially in our offense. Plug him in at FB and move Casey back to TE and our depth issue at the position is solved. That would give us four guys who can play some TE (Dunsmore can in certain packages) and two guys who can play a FB/H-Back role.

Nothing against Hanna, but Gronkowski comparisons are getting thrown about far too often this offseason. There is no Gronk in this class, period. I had him rated as a top ten talent who fell in the draft because of a very significant back injury. There is no top ten TE in this draft.

Well, yeah, you're right. People clamor for the Gronk pick of this year, and I was giving the "Most likely" of all the TEs this year in Hanna. Or, maybe I should have said Hernandez...since obviously that TE draft by the Pats is the new litmus test. The Pats did very well in drafting who they did.

I'm just hoping Dunsmore falls that low (the next "Moose" Johnson? No, because we don't use a fullback like that), but I'm also reaching up a bit for Hanna, depending on who you speak to about him.

Of course, it's just a mock, and we all know how mocks go - but every year it seems I peg at least two of our draft picks (sometimes more). I'm reaching for some, hoping some will fall, and even going against my own grain (with Wright)....but hey, who says we even keep these picks by round? We'll see in a month.

 

[bah007]

Well, yeah, you're right. People clamor for the Gronk pick of this year, and I was giving the "Most likely" of all the TEs this year in Hanna. Or, maybe I should have said Hernandez...since obviously that TE draft by the Pats is the new litmus test. The Pats did very well in drafting who they did.

I'm just hoping Dunsmore falls that low (the next "Moose" Johnson? No, because we don't use a fullback like that), but I'm also reaching up a bit for Hanna, depending on who you speak to about him.

Of course, it's just a mock, and we all know how mocks go - but every year it seems I peg at least two of our draft picks (sometimes more). I'm reaching for some, hoping some will fall, and even going against my own grain (with Wright)....but hey, who says we even keep these picks by round? We'll see in a month.

Yeah I'm not not knocking you for what you said about Hanna. Just putting out my opinion that there isn't a Gronk in this draft. But TE is definitely making a comeback in the NFL, and the Patriots have set the standard.

About Dunsmore, he would probably be a "reach" in the 4th. But I might take him there just to make sure I get him. People talk about value and reaches, but is it really a reach if the dude ends up as an All Pro? Why? Just because you could have taken him later in the draft? If you like a guy so much that you don't want anyone else to have him then you take him, regardless of his value.

 

[badboy]

My second Draft "Rap Sheet." I'll probably only make one more before the draft (or not). I drafted BPA, by round, by need, based upon holes, taking into consideration Texans history with Kubes and Rick Smith.

I also did not take a running back because not only is the fate of Derrick Ward still up in the air, but we also have Jevarris Williams on roster. Hey, throw in a UDFA of Kube's choice and we're cool.

Offensive line? They just need a wee more depth. Nobody in this draft is going to come in and start right away in the ZBS. But hell, they already have Shelly Smith, Cody Walker, Derek Newton, Andrew Gardner and Thomas Austin all as backups. That's a whole other offensive line...and change.

1.) WR – Kendall Wright (Baylor) – If he's there the Texans will take him. I really don't like these shorter kids as a true flanker, but there's no doubt that Wright is a loaded weapon when he steps on the field. He will give you production and an automatic final piece we need – not as AJ's replacement, but that will come with time. Otherwise, it's Reuben Randall, Stephen Hill or Alshon Jeffery...but Uncle Bob made it pretty clear where the Texans are going with their #1 pick.

2.) OLB -Vinny Curry (Marshall) – Really as a rotation guy, which Wade's defense is predicated on, this is the guy you want if you can't get Shea Mclellin. Really I believe Bruce Irvin to be off-the-charts good, but the Texans won't take a maniac. What Curry will give you are sacks, pressures, and anything extra you want from him. I think his backside playmaking ability will help him in the next level.

3.) CB - Chase Minnifield (Virginia) – Right now the Texans are going into the season with 6 CBs. They carried 7 last year, and Rick Smith said they always like to carry that many (sighting 8 as the number). Short of signing someone in free agency, Chase Minnifield is the best-of-the-rest and a real sleeper. I have him rated as the 6th best CB in this year's draft. A 4-year starter with 13 Ints, your best chances of grooming a future starter in the NFL is the kid who had the most reps in college. He's a ballhawk.

4.) ILB - Audie Cole (North Carolina State) – To be honest, Cole is the best pass defending LB in this year's draft with any real competition on the other side of the ball to judge by. He can play inside and outside, but I picture him as an upgrade to Sharpton (not that Sharpton is bad, mind you). 112 tackles last year? Wow, this kid is crazy good and he had 5.5 sacks to go along with it. I'll take that, please.

4.) TE - James Hanna (Oklahoma) – People ask about the next Gronkowski? Well, this is your most likely candidate from this year's draft. The Texans always go into the season with 4 TEs. Right now they have 3 (if you count Casey). Hanna will not only fill out the roster, but if you want to keep replenishing the well, then jump up a little and get him.

5.) FS/SS - Tramain Thomas (Arkansas) - 6'0" 200lbs 38.5 vert!!! - 225 Tackles (92 Tackles in 2011) 12 INts (5 in 2011) 13 Passes Defended (6 in 2011) – Yeah, we're really thin in the safety department now, unless the Texans get back Demps or Barber. So the Texans pick Thomas as a sleeper, with real instinct. Just a fine football player, who could start with one year under his belt. Gotta love the SEC in this guy.

6.) DT – Akiem Hicks (Regina) – After one more year of "On The Nose," the Texans can make up for picking Earl Mitchell instead of Geno Atkins in 2010. 'Nuff Said.

7.) OG - Jaymes Brooks (Virginia Tech) – A good ZBS candidate. Right now he's depth.

UDFA - QB - Austin Davis/Case Keenum (whichever one goes undrafted) – I doubt Austin Davis will be there, and like everyone else I'd like to see what Kubes can do with Keenum.

UDFA - FB - Drake Dunsmore – This guy is not only good in the run game, but he has hands for days.

Like your first four for sure but we can go forward with with corners we have. I have pumped Curry for long time but think he goes higher and some have mocked him in first. Ronnell Lewis is more likely. Man, you are first to see what I do in Audie Coles. I have in 4B with Broyles 4a for our slot. Underestand your thoughts at 3 but think a NT is more needed. I like Chapman who will fall only due to his injury. Good work!