OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Ok, this idea is going to throw some folks but if I were building for the future...with this season in mind but looking to 2018 & 2019 as well, then here's my moves and Mock:
1.Clowney will be entering the final season of his rookie contract after 2018. Another season like this and his injury history goes into the past and he's going to want JJ Watt type of money unless the market dictates higher. With Watt returning this season, would the team regress without Clowney? IMHO, this defense is probably a safe bet to be as special as they were in 2016. At the moment, Clowney has outstanding market value because he's affordable for 2 seasons. If we trade him, what could we expect. As much as I would like the extra picks...I would be on the phone with the Browns, why? Browns have something I want and the Browns are desperate to build a defense beginning with DE's.
First, I have to paint the picture for their GM. Draft Miles Garrett and bookend him Clowney. They instantly have a better than decent DL. Second, what do the Texans get? Like I said, they have something I need...OT / Joe Thomas and the their RD5-01 pick.
Texans instantly have an OL and it would look something like this:
LT- Thomas
LG- Martin
OC- Mancz
RG- Su'a-Filo
RT- Brown
Right side is no longer the weak link but in fact the left side moved over. Thomas is a better LT and allows Brown to become an outstanding RT. Martin will go left and Su'a-Filo will continue to work with Brown. Mancz actually did much better than expected at C and with another season and better line-mates he's going to get even better. The biggest question here would be building the depth chart around this unit.
2. I'm wincing as I type this but Hopkins is going to get traded before he has a chance to test the FA Market with the Texans. This man wants to get paid and he wants to get paid...like last season. He's going to hit the cap hard if he gets what he wants and personally, I'm not sure the Texans are going to be willing to pay him like that. If they franchise tag him for the 2018 season, he's getting paid but it's for 1 season. He played in a funk last season and I'm not expecting a whole lot more if he doesn't get a new contract. This will wind up being too big of a distraction. Get him on the market while he's still got big value. The Texans will get a 2017 RD2 & RD4 plus a 2018 RD3. I think there would be several teams interested but my best guess could be Philly, Vikings and GB. For the sake of this scenario, Philly's offer and draft position will offer the best return not to mention, they get a weapon for Wentz that he/they've desired.
Why will the Texans survive this move? They went hard and heavy on receivers last season and have some very good talent still in the group. Most folks were fairly certain the sky was falling when Hopkins replaced AJ but the team survived the move. The receivers can be even better when the QB is going to be forced to spread the ball around more, and with a revamped OL they could be in for a pretty decent season.
3. Re-sign Bouye, the money will be there.
4. Texans will have the cap space to sign some of their FA in 2018 & 2019 and look at Fa's as well.
So, I gained:
LT - Joe Thomas
2017 RD5-01 (CLE)
2017 RD2-11 (PHI)
2017 RD4-12 (PHI)
2018 RD3-?? (PHI)
Texans Lose:
DE - Clowney
WR - Hopkins
2017 RD3-25
Mock 1.0
RD1-25-025: Taco Charleton / Michigan / DE / 6'-6" @ 273 lbs / This guy could answer the loss of Clowney from Day 1. He's going to be an impact while working with Watt.
RD2-11-043: (Eagles) D'Ondre Foreman / Texas / RB / 6'-1" @ 249 lbs / Solid and potentially "the" answer at RB. He allows Miller to shed a little weight and go back to be the type of runner he was in Miami. This guy has some pretty nice open field speed.
RD2-25-057: Chidobe Awuzie / Colorado / CB / 6'-0" @ 205 lbs / Has shut-down CB abilities. This pick allows KJax to be moved to FS. Getting KJax to FS has been something I've wanted for the past 3 maybe 4 seasons or ever since I realized he couldn't play with his back to the play.
RD3-01-065: Jake Butt / Michigan / TE / 6'-5" @ 250 lbs / I projected him later but he should be worth the higher pick. Definitely answers the teams need at TE.
RD4-12-117: (Eagles) Chad Wheeler / Michigan / OT / 6'-6" @ 310 lbs / OT in training. Would become very good working behind Thomas and/or Brown.
RD4-24-129: Josh Harvey-Clemons / Louisville / SS / 6'-4" @ 225 lbs / Fills a need for big SS who can cover and big enough to fill hybrid ILB roll.
RD5-01-147: (Browns) Kenny Golladay / Northern Illinois / WR / 6'-4" @ 215 lbs / Doesn't have to be the answer to Hopkins right out of the gate but could be a huge addition to the WR group.
RD5-25-171: Vince Biegle / OLB / Wisconsin / 6'-3" @ 242 lbs / Solid OLB who knows this position. Another solid Wisconsin product who should benefit greatly with the next level coaching.
RD6-04-189: David Jones / Richmond / FS / 6'-3" @ 210 lbs / Injured, but has the tools to be a steal this late.
RD7-25-246: Josh Topou / Colorado / DT / 6'-3" @ 362 lbs / Big body DT who excels at clogging the middle. Could be interesting to see his changes if he developed more strength while dropping his weight to around 335 lbs.
1.Clowney will be entering the final season of his rookie contract after 2018. Another season like this and his injury history goes into the past and he's going to want JJ Watt type of money unless the market dictates higher. With Watt returning this season, would the team regress without Clowney? IMHO, this defense is probably a safe bet to be as special as they were in 2016. At the moment, Clowney has outstanding market value because he's affordable for 2 seasons. If we trade him, what could we expect. As much as I would like the extra picks...I would be on the phone with the Browns, why? Browns have something I want and the Browns are desperate to build a defense beginning with DE's.
First, I have to paint the picture for their GM. Draft Miles Garrett and bookend him Clowney. They instantly have a better than decent DL. Second, what do the Texans get? Like I said, they have something I need...OT / Joe Thomas and the their RD5-01 pick.
Texans instantly have an OL and it would look something like this:
LT- Thomas
LG- Martin
OC- Mancz
RG- Su'a-Filo
RT- Brown
Right side is no longer the weak link but in fact the left side moved over. Thomas is a better LT and allows Brown to become an outstanding RT. Martin will go left and Su'a-Filo will continue to work with Brown. Mancz actually did much better than expected at C and with another season and better line-mates he's going to get even better. The biggest question here would be building the depth chart around this unit.
2. I'm wincing as I type this but Hopkins is going to get traded before he has a chance to test the FA Market with the Texans. This man wants to get paid and he wants to get paid...like last season. He's going to hit the cap hard if he gets what he wants and personally, I'm not sure the Texans are going to be willing to pay him like that. If they franchise tag him for the 2018 season, he's getting paid but it's for 1 season. He played in a funk last season and I'm not expecting a whole lot more if he doesn't get a new contract. This will wind up being too big of a distraction. Get him on the market while he's still got big value. The Texans will get a 2017 RD2 & RD4 plus a 2018 RD3. I think there would be several teams interested but my best guess could be Philly, Vikings and GB. For the sake of this scenario, Philly's offer and draft position will offer the best return not to mention, they get a weapon for Wentz that he/they've desired.
Why will the Texans survive this move? They went hard and heavy on receivers last season and have some very good talent still in the group. Most folks were fairly certain the sky was falling when Hopkins replaced AJ but the team survived the move. The receivers can be even better when the QB is going to be forced to spread the ball around more, and with a revamped OL they could be in for a pretty decent season.
3. Re-sign Bouye, the money will be there.
4. Texans will have the cap space to sign some of their FA in 2018 & 2019 and look at Fa's as well.
So, I gained:
LT - Joe Thomas
2017 RD5-01 (CLE)
2017 RD2-11 (PHI)
2017 RD4-12 (PHI)
2018 RD3-?? (PHI)
Texans Lose:
DE - Clowney
WR - Hopkins
2017 RD3-25
Mock 1.0
RD1-25-025: Taco Charleton / Michigan / DE / 6'-6" @ 273 lbs / This guy could answer the loss of Clowney from Day 1. He's going to be an impact while working with Watt.
RD2-11-043: (Eagles) D'Ondre Foreman / Texas / RB / 6'-1" @ 249 lbs / Solid and potentially "the" answer at RB. He allows Miller to shed a little weight and go back to be the type of runner he was in Miami. This guy has some pretty nice open field speed.
RD2-25-057: Chidobe Awuzie / Colorado / CB / 6'-0" @ 205 lbs / Has shut-down CB abilities. This pick allows KJax to be moved to FS. Getting KJax to FS has been something I've wanted for the past 3 maybe 4 seasons or ever since I realized he couldn't play with his back to the play.
RD3-01-065: Jake Butt / Michigan / TE / 6'-5" @ 250 lbs / I projected him later but he should be worth the higher pick. Definitely answers the teams need at TE.
RD4-12-117: (Eagles) Chad Wheeler / Michigan / OT / 6'-6" @ 310 lbs / OT in training. Would become very good working behind Thomas and/or Brown.
RD4-24-129: Josh Harvey-Clemons / Louisville / SS / 6'-4" @ 225 lbs / Fills a need for big SS who can cover and big enough to fill hybrid ILB roll.
RD5-01-147: (Browns) Kenny Golladay / Northern Illinois / WR / 6'-4" @ 215 lbs / Doesn't have to be the answer to Hopkins right out of the gate but could be a huge addition to the WR group.
RD5-25-171: Vince Biegle / OLB / Wisconsin / 6'-3" @ 242 lbs / Solid OLB who knows this position. Another solid Wisconsin product who should benefit greatly with the next level coaching.
RD6-04-189: David Jones / Richmond / FS / 6'-3" @ 210 lbs / Injured, but has the tools to be a steal this late.
RD7-25-246: Josh Topou / Colorado / DT / 6'-3" @ 362 lbs / Big body DT who excels at clogging the middle. Could be interesting to see his changes if he developed more strength while dropping his weight to around 335 lbs.