YoungTexanFan
All Pro
I am going to start off with a simple trade down, as I believe our team is actually looking to move down this year. I am going to trade our 1st round pick (18) to Atlanta for their 2 second rounders (35,49).
I have Atlanta taking McFadden at #4 to be the new franchise face, and at 18, I have them selecting Andre Woodson to be their QB of the future. I think they will sign a veteren QB this offseason to help stabilize the team while their new QB learns.
After all of that has been said, here is how I mock us, the Texans:
35. Dominique Rogers-Cromartie CB Tennessee St.
I think Cromartie will rise up, but I do not think he will rise as much as his cousin. This Cromartie does not come from an ACC school, and did not set the ACC on fire as a freshman. I feel the Texans will sign a CB through FA to be a primary starter, possibly someone like Gay from NE. I do not think we will sign Samuels or Trufant. Cromartie will see time in situational packages this year unless he is forced to play more due to poor play or injuries, both a possibility. He has all of the physical tools a CB needs to be successful.
49. Anthony Collins OT Kansas
Collins is a solid 2nd round OLT that could and should be a swing tackle this year. He is not an instant starter, hardly any LT is truely an instant starter. Pace and Thomas are exceptions to the rule, and there are no OTs that developed in this draft. Collins has ideal size for an OT, especially in a ZBS. More importantly, his feet move well lateraly and he does not lunge at defenders. He is more developed as a pass blocker, and is able to handle both the speed and the bull rush. His arms are long and he extends them well with a solid initial hand punch. He also developed well last season as a run blocker, helping lead one of the most potent offenses in the nation, both running and passing.
80. Ray Rice RB Rutgers
Ray Rice is an interesting RB prospect. He is not an elite talent like McFadden or Mendenhall, and he is not a bulldozer like Stewart or Forte, and he is not a complete blazer like Charles or Slaton. No, Ray Rice is a very compact RB that keeps his legs moving while keeping his pad level low. He accelerates very quickly through a hole, hitting it hard. He is surprisingly powerful for his stature, which can fool many by an eyeball test. Rice is close to 210 pounds, and for his height, that is more than enough, especially when that compact size is coupled with his speed. Ray Rice does possess break away speed, and can be that homerun threat. He isn't a track guy, and he won't test like Charles, but he is faster than almost everyone on the field when all is equal. I think that Rice would be a perfect complement to any of the RBs currently on our roster, and would excell in the ZBS because of his willingness to hit the hole decisivly and his ability to break tackles into the second level and take it from there.
115. Heath Benedict G Newberry College
Many people have not heard this name before, but do not let that fool anyone. Benedict is the perfect ZBS guard. He played OT in college, but projects more to slide inside to guard. He is one of the top guard prospects in the nation IMO. This is my mock, and I truely believe he will be a good NFL starter for whoever drafts him. He moves very well for his size, which is a little under what most guards will be, but he gets out of his stance very quickly. He is capable of consistently getting to the second level, as well as being a pull guard for a traditional power running scheme. He has good arm length for a G and plays with his head.
146. Fernando Velasco C Georgia
Velasco was the anchor for the Georgia line this past season. The senior helped keep a very young offensive line together while steadily improving as a group. He is very strong at the point of attack with regards to other centers. He is a very strong run blocker and has little trouble sealing a gap. I feel he is actually the type of center we need on our team. We need a center who can snap the ball and not be moved back into the initial pocket. I believe Velasco can be that guy for us, and will only help establish our running game as we move foward.
177. Marcus Griffin FS Texas
Griffin is underrated. I do not think he will be a premier FS in the NFL by any stretch, but he is a solid backup this year and potential starter as we move foward. Kubiak seems to not put as much emphasis on the S position as others, so we will assume CB takes the more pressing need and we addressed that through FA and the draft. Griffin is a fundamental tackler, and has enough speed to play FS. He is quite compact and looks to be well built.
208. Jordy Nelson WR Kansas State
Nelson's stock will drop as we move through the combine, private workouts, and pro-days. Nelson is a very good route runner with more than ample size. He is well built for a WR (don't think Walters) and has exceptional hands. He has enough speed to line up on the outside, but is probably best suited for a slot role or some variation of a H-back role. I think he will be best utilized coming across the middle on drags and underneath routes.
I have Atlanta taking McFadden at #4 to be the new franchise face, and at 18, I have them selecting Andre Woodson to be their QB of the future. I think they will sign a veteren QB this offseason to help stabilize the team while their new QB learns.
After all of that has been said, here is how I mock us, the Texans:
35. Dominique Rogers-Cromartie CB Tennessee St.
I think Cromartie will rise up, but I do not think he will rise as much as his cousin. This Cromartie does not come from an ACC school, and did not set the ACC on fire as a freshman. I feel the Texans will sign a CB through FA to be a primary starter, possibly someone like Gay from NE. I do not think we will sign Samuels or Trufant. Cromartie will see time in situational packages this year unless he is forced to play more due to poor play or injuries, both a possibility. He has all of the physical tools a CB needs to be successful.
49. Anthony Collins OT Kansas
Collins is a solid 2nd round OLT that could and should be a swing tackle this year. He is not an instant starter, hardly any LT is truely an instant starter. Pace and Thomas are exceptions to the rule, and there are no OTs that developed in this draft. Collins has ideal size for an OT, especially in a ZBS. More importantly, his feet move well lateraly and he does not lunge at defenders. He is more developed as a pass blocker, and is able to handle both the speed and the bull rush. His arms are long and he extends them well with a solid initial hand punch. He also developed well last season as a run blocker, helping lead one of the most potent offenses in the nation, both running and passing.
80. Ray Rice RB Rutgers
Ray Rice is an interesting RB prospect. He is not an elite talent like McFadden or Mendenhall, and he is not a bulldozer like Stewart or Forte, and he is not a complete blazer like Charles or Slaton. No, Ray Rice is a very compact RB that keeps his legs moving while keeping his pad level low. He accelerates very quickly through a hole, hitting it hard. He is surprisingly powerful for his stature, which can fool many by an eyeball test. Rice is close to 210 pounds, and for his height, that is more than enough, especially when that compact size is coupled with his speed. Ray Rice does possess break away speed, and can be that homerun threat. He isn't a track guy, and he won't test like Charles, but he is faster than almost everyone on the field when all is equal. I think that Rice would be a perfect complement to any of the RBs currently on our roster, and would excell in the ZBS because of his willingness to hit the hole decisivly and his ability to break tackles into the second level and take it from there.
115. Heath Benedict G Newberry College
Many people have not heard this name before, but do not let that fool anyone. Benedict is the perfect ZBS guard. He played OT in college, but projects more to slide inside to guard. He is one of the top guard prospects in the nation IMO. This is my mock, and I truely believe he will be a good NFL starter for whoever drafts him. He moves very well for his size, which is a little under what most guards will be, but he gets out of his stance very quickly. He is capable of consistently getting to the second level, as well as being a pull guard for a traditional power running scheme. He has good arm length for a G and plays with his head.
146. Fernando Velasco C Georgia
Velasco was the anchor for the Georgia line this past season. The senior helped keep a very young offensive line together while steadily improving as a group. He is very strong at the point of attack with regards to other centers. He is a very strong run blocker and has little trouble sealing a gap. I feel he is actually the type of center we need on our team. We need a center who can snap the ball and not be moved back into the initial pocket. I believe Velasco can be that guy for us, and will only help establish our running game as we move foward.
177. Marcus Griffin FS Texas
Griffin is underrated. I do not think he will be a premier FS in the NFL by any stretch, but he is a solid backup this year and potential starter as we move foward. Kubiak seems to not put as much emphasis on the S position as others, so we will assume CB takes the more pressing need and we addressed that through FA and the draft. Griffin is a fundamental tackler, and has enough speed to play FS. He is quite compact and looks to be well built.
208. Jordy Nelson WR Kansas State
Nelson's stock will drop as we move through the combine, private workouts, and pro-days. Nelson is a very good route runner with more than ample size. He is well built for a WR (don't think Walters) and has exceptional hands. He has enough speed to line up on the outside, but is probably best suited for a slot role or some variation of a H-back role. I think he will be best utilized coming across the middle on drags and underneath routes.
