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If we were drafting today, who would you select?

Who would you select if the draft were held today?


  • Total voters
    55
Brian Orakpo or Rey Maualaga. I'm one of those people that thinks our horrible pass rush has a huge part in the blame for our horrible secondary.... and I think you build defense from front to back.

This pick of course counts on Molden being on track to contribute soon.

EDIT:
I should say - I have Orakpo there, but I know the top DE of next year's draft has changed a few times... so what I mean is - whichever DE is the closest to a sure thing - or Maualaga, who I think is a sure thing.
 
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I know this wont be popular here but if either Monroe or Oher fall to #8 Im all over them. If either of our OT fall ew are in deep dodo. We need more depth and talent on the OL you just dont pass up top of the line OLinemen. There just isnt anyone on D in this draft that grade out higher than those 2 for me.

If they are both gone It would be between Orakpo or Rey or Vontae Davis. Im with diehardchris on you build from inside out so probably would go with Orakpo but would be happy with any of these guys.
 
I would go for Orakpo or Curry. We have two young guys and Dunta coming back at CB so I think we're set for the future there. Mauluga is one guy I want to stay away like the plague. Dude is a freak athlete but he lacks instincts and the ability to read the play plus I don't want to move Demeco. Draft is deep at S so no need to overpay for Moore of Mays. Finally Orakpo is better than Johnson and we need more of a RE than a LE.
 
I say this every year, but I would trade down. There is simply more value to be had with extra picks as opposed to one single player. The tough part of a trade is that you need a dance partner. Even if a trade makes sense and is your best move, it does not always occur.

So, in my scenario, the Texans @ 8 trade down to #14(in this case Green Bay) Green Bay would then get the opportunity to select CB Malcolm Jenkins. GB is getting old at their CBs and he would be a great selection. All they would need to do would be to swap first rounders and throw in their second.

The math is as follows:
Texans #8=1400
Green Bay #14=1100, #46=440

Total Texans= 1400, Total Green Bay= 1540(ie GB pays a small price to move up and cement their CB for a decade).

So, what would the Texans do with these 3 1st day picks?

14. Aaron Curry-OLB Wake Forest
This would be a MAJOR pick for us. It would toss Greenwood out and put someone in who has the ability, size, and speed to play the position well. If he was on the Board(which I dont think he will) we could also go get James Laurinaitis the Ohio State MLB. We could then move Meco to OLB. In either case Greenwood either hits the pine or hit the street. Either one is good in my book.

With our brilliant trade down we now have 2 2nds to play with.

40. Auston English DE Oklahoma
I need to read more about him, but I think he could be that elusive passrusher we have been searching wanting from the Weaver position. This move allows us to get rid of Weaver and utilize Bulman off the bench. I think Bulman would be great as a situational rusher and allow English to get a breather. Our D-line problem has been 2 fold: 1) not enough talent and 2 not enough depth. This pick addresses both.

Oh and with 2 picks I have pushed Greenwood and Weaver to the bench or our the door.

46. Jonathan Luigs C Arkansas
I need to read/watch more about him but here is the idea I am going for. What has been the biggest problem so far with our Oline? Brown has been progressing and aside from an iffy game, Winston has been solid. So its not the tackles. Pitts has been fine so its now LG. A case could be made for Center or RG. IO personally think its Center. There have been so many times when I have seen Myers getting pushed backwards into the QB and RB. It seems that he is unable to hold the point of attack effectively. One question we SHOULD have been asking last year when we traded for him was why would Denver a ZBS team trade a young center for a 4th rounder. I think we now know. I say get the second best center on the board and watch him move the LOS forward.

72. B.J. Raji-DT Boston College
He is what you call a Space Eater. He is 6'1 323lbs and would look great on an Oline with Mario, Amobi, and English. He would be able to switch in and out with Okam in order to keep both of them fresh. I think this would be a huge (no pun intended) boost to our D-Line.


Ok. those are my thoughts. Rip me apart!!!
 
trade down to address multiple needs. this draft looks deep so should be able to upgrade at least three positions- OLB/Cushing, DL/Orakpo OL/Jason Smith then add depth @ RB & Secondary :)
 
Orakpo has an ankle. If it wasn't for the ankle he'd be my choice bar none. This is the second year he's missed major time with ankel injuries.

We've got one Qb down for the second time. And what ever it takes to make the ZBS go, we ain't got it yet. So the question is how long do you let Duane Brown learn on the fly ? Is he the guy or not ? Do you redraft for the o-line after you've already made one high pick the previous year ? I mean if it is going to take one more pick to fix the o-line, make the pick and be done with it. From what I'm seeing we're not to far from seeing another David Carr moment. What is not up for debate is whether or not MS can take a pounding. He can't. Either the o-line improves or you redraft for a young QB. They're going to need a young body in a couple of seasons to be on line for 2010 if the o-line doesn't ripen quickly next season.

They are good enough to win now with more production from the defense. Another thing to consider...this is the second year Demeco Ryans has had the ankle injury. Arron Curry, a fleet footed will, would be my first choice. They could use another center, the complementary Rb, and the DE. I picked other. Move back if you can, see what falls into your lap. Orakpo may get down graded for the injuries. Might end up with Curreyesque LB and Orakpo too.
 
I wouldn't be against drafting Aaron Curry (OLB) in the 1st at this point and drafting a top center like Alex Mack in the 2nd round.

But a trade down scenario netting us a 2nd round pick would be my first choice. I'd consider a safety like Mays or Moore but only if we could trade down. Jenkins and Davis would be very tempting.
 
I voted trade down, but I dont know to where. I am thinking the early 20's, late teens. Pickup an extra second maybe.
 
#8 is pretty high.

I'd go Beanie Wells, Knowshon Moreno, or Aaron Curry probably. I think Curry would help our defense alot, and I think Beanie could give us a borderline scary running game. Moreno would be just as good if not better than Beanie.

In reality we will probably be closer to 12, or 15. I'd still try to get Aaron Curry. I think he has pro-bowl LB written all over him really at any linebacker position. I can see him playing either Sam or Will, and he is perfect physically for the Mike.

Even if Molden and D-Rob pan out, we need first round DB talent.

We do need to get a athletic safety, but I think we are set at CB for now. We've got Dunta, Bennett, Reeves, and Molden. Bennett, Reeves, and Molden are all still very young. If anything we need to get a veteran corner to play the 5. Faggins is done.

I would love to see us grab a safety at good value, I just don't see very many safeties out there that would be good picks @ 8-15. Maybe Mays, but I would be hesitant in selecting him as high as 15. Who else? I'm not sold on Moore. I suppose if you want to get creative you can pick Malcolm Jenkins and try and move him to FS, although I would not do that.

There's a bunch of safeties with 2-3 round value like Kam Chancellor from Virginia Tech, Emanuel Cook from South Carolina, Myron Rolle from Florida State, Michael Hamlin from Clemson.
 
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I voted Jenkins, but it's too early to even consider, really. We need a CB, a DE, an OLB, a QB, a RB, a C, and a RG. Not necessarily in that order. A safety wouldn't hurt. No matter what happens, I'd like to see the team take a QB in the 2nd or 3rd round and let Kubiak develop him.
 
Rick Smith will trade down if possible. Slaton has been invalueable & the Texans still aquired they're targeted 1st rd. draft choice LT Duane Brown with Barber thrown in for good measure, all for the 18th pick. imagine what he could do with the 8th pick? most likely wherever the Texans wind up selecting it will be higher than last year & this draft is going to have a tremendous underclassman turnout which translates into a very deep board.

Teams able to aquire multiple draft slots could be able to leapfrog their competition with infusion of smart draft picks addressing needs that fit ones system. the Texans simply have too many needs & already have some franchise peices to build around, now they need to hit some diamonds in the rough, continue to build the future & reconstruct roster with more speed.
 
Teams able to aquire multiple draft slots could be able to leapfrog their competition with infusion of smart draft picks addressing needs that fit ones system. the Texans simply have too many needs & already have some franchise peices to build around, now they need to hit some diamonds in the rough, continue to build the future & reconstruct roster with more speed.

Great point. The number of draft picks for each team will be big. The Eagles look very smart for giving up their first last year and getting extra picks this year + Desean Jackson.

We need alot of help on defense in this draft. On offense we only need lineman and a runningback. We could use a guy for really every position on defense. Should be great opportunity at value all over the draft for defense.
 
With as stellar as Duane Brown has been playing (slight sarcasm) shoulda could woulda been nice if we would have gotten Antoine Cason or Kenny Phillips in the late first because it's looking more and more likely we'll have a shot at Michael Oher this year. :)

I really havn't gotten to watch as much college football and these prospects as I wanted to this year but I'll tell you, I've been really impressed with Brandon Spikes, LB from Florida. I think this guy is going to be a pretty good player. I'm really not too impressed with the safeties as high draft picks this year. I think the drop off from the 'top' guys to those we can find in the 2nd and 3rd round isn't too bad.

I'm lost right now as to what we need to address on our team and when. I think fixing the interior of our OL is very important but then we'd be avoiding an impact defensive player we need so dearly.

DE is moving down on the list for me but a clogger DT is moving up. teams run up the middle on us way too easily. C, OG, DT, LB are glaring needs for us, imo. then we get into the more exciting positions like RB, CB and S that need some help too. Slaton is awesome, I like what I've seen from Green but not sure if he makes the team if we draft a guy, Moats looks really fast.
 
I cannot stress how much last year's 1st round pissed me off. It was clear the day we drafted Brown that he was trash. I have never once let off of this sentiment. Yes, Allen had some dirty hits, and he is a dirty player, but did no one notice how he blew by Brown? Brown is getting demolished and did so as well in college. So, this year comes around, and we are going to be in a spot to draft one of the top OT's (Smith/Oher/Moore). We can't draft one this year because of our last draft (We can't put that much $$ into one position, and we can't admit such an obvious failure: i.e. Travis Johnson)
 
I cannot stress how much last year's 1st round pissed me off. It was clear the day we drafted Brown that he was trash. I have never once let off of this sentiment. Yes, Allen had some dirty hits, and he is a dirty player, but did no one notice how he blew by Brown? Brown is getting demolished and did so as well in college. So, this year comes around, and we are going to be in a spot to draft one of the top OT's (Smith/Oher/Moore). We can't draft one this year because of our last draft (We can't put that much $$ into one position, and we can't admit such an obvious failure: i.e. Travis Johnson)

If we could get a LT in this draft that is considered better than Brown right of the bat we would be stupid not too. That is one fo the good things about Brown is that he is suited very well to play guard. You slide him over into Breisals spot and our OL is tons better. There is no way this team passes up Oher if avcailable. If so i'll be stunned.
 
I cannot stress how much last year's 1st round pissed me off. It was clear the day we drafted Brown that he was trash. I have never once let off of this sentiment. Yes, Allen had some dirty hits, and he is a dirty player, but did no one notice how he blew by Brown? Brown is getting demolished and did so as well in college. So, this year comes around, and we are going to be in a spot to draft one of the top OT's (Smith/Oher/Moore). We can't draft one this year because of our last draft (We can't put that much $$ into one position, and we can't admit such an obvious failure: i.e. Travis Johnson)

Can Brown play guard ?
 
I cannot stress how much last year's 1st round pissed me off. It was clear the day we drafted Brown that he was trash. I have never once let off of this sentiment. Yes, Allen had some dirty hits, and he is a dirty player, but did no one notice how he blew by Brown? Brown is getting demolished and did so as well in college. So, this year comes around, and we are going to be in a spot to draft one of the top OT's (Smith/Oher/Moore). We can't draft one this year because of our last draft (We can't put that much $$ into one position, and we can't admit such an obvious failure: i.e. Travis Johnson)

I dont agree with the Brown comments, but that is why you draft BPA and not reach for need.
 
Do people think we'll be picking in the top 5? I sincerely doubt Oher drops out of the top 5. Cincinnati, Detroit, Oakland, San Franciso, St. Louis could all use him and are all likely to pick before us. Unless we have a total collapse we'll probably be picking in the 10-12 range.
 
Orakpo has an ankle. If it wasn't for the ankle he'd be my choice bar none. This is the second year he's missed major time with ankel injuries....

It's actually been a knee both years.

Took an illegal hit on it last year and missed half the season.

Sprained it this year and missed one game.


I would take Orakpo or Curry.
 
Yeh I guess if we are not going to the playoffs this year we at least have a top ten pick to trade down from. This is a deep draft and it would be nice to come out of it with 3 picks in the top 45 or 50 players. It would be nice to get Detroits late first and second round pick or even Phili's 2 number 1's for our top ten selectoin. I could really see a team like Phili going for that.

Duke Robinson OG 6-5, 335 Oklahoma
Alex Mack OC 6-4, 315 California Our OLine is set for years
Emanuel Cook FS 6-1, 205 South Carolina finnaly!
Donald Brown RB 5-10, 210 UConn Nice one two punch wit Slaton.
B.J. Raji DT 6-2, 325 Boston College for goaline and late game stops
Clay Mathews DE/LB USC special teams ace with potential


That would be a draft that made me really happy. .
 
Is it still possible to tank enough games to get Michael Crabtree?

He's a fantastic prospect , I'd love to have the guy wearing Texans colors BUT .... does this team really need another WR ? .... Or could they use a few other positions like DE , OLB (or ILBmoving Ryans to OLB) , OG , C , S and CB ? (a big nasty DT would be nice too). Might even be in the market for a QB ....
 
I'd look to trade down to the bottom third of the 1st round picking up a top third #2.


1) Duke Robinson - OG - Oklahoma
2a) Jonathan Luigs - C - Arkansas
2b) BPA - DE / OLB
3) BPA - DE / OLB



If its not possible to trade down , I'm taking Michael Johnson - DE -Georgia Tech to play opposite MW or Aaron Curry - OLB - Wake Forest .
 
Do people think we'll be picking in the top 5? I sincerely doubt Oher drops out of the top 5. Cincinnati, Detroit, Oakland, San Franciso, St. Louis could all use him and are all likely to pick before us. Unless we have a total collapse we'll probably be picking in the 10-12 range.

There is also Andre Smith and Eugene Monroe that are really highly rated LT's. Depending on the team, one or both could go before Oher.

But moving Duane Brown to guard intrigues me. Would this be a legitimate solution? After watching him so far this season what would yall say his strengths and weaknesses are? He gets blown up by speedy edge rushers, but how would he do against DT's straight up playing in the middle and not on the edge?
 
I think you guys maybe a bit too harsh on Duane Brown.
We've already known coming in that he can be beaten off the edge.
Need help from QBs to make the read and get rid of the ball when necessary.

I did think that we drafted him a bit higher than I thought, but I didn't mind that we did.
Look around the league for the last 3 years. There are several guys who were drafted higher at the position and they weren't as good or playing as much.

It was coaching decision to fast-track him, along with Briesel.
Sure seems like Kubiak wants to see the young line develop together.
And heck, it wasn't like other O-linemen were doing much better than Brown anyway.

It was Kubiak's decision not to resign Flanagan (too much money perhaps), McKinney nor Weary.
Not to play Salaam sooner so that Brown can watch and learn.
Not to give him more help like the opposition often do against Mario.
Baptized by the fire, sink or swim, so to speak.

Another thing I'd like to learn more of all the facts is to why he reported to camp around 327 lbs and is currently listed at 318 lbs currently on HoustonTexans.com. (They said the anxiety of the draft and the contract, bla bla bla.)

He was playing around 305-310 at VT, I believe. (The Hokies website still showed him at 308 lbs).
For a guy who also played some ST coverage and blocked some FGs it's hard to imagine that he has problem keeping his weigh under control.
And he was a TE just before the 05 season started.

Did the Texans coaches hurt him by having him bulking up???
 
The Texans' two top needs are a second pass-rusher and a quarterback. Assuming Schaub is given one final year to develop, I see Kubiak taking the best quarterback that fits his system. Is this Harrell from Tech? I've heard he could fall to the second/third round. So to me, if you are drafting today, and the guy falls in your lap, you take Orakpo. The combination of him and Mario would make for a killer front line, which will improve the defense exponentially.
 
Brandon Spikes over Maualuga if we go MLB.
Aaron Curry if we go SAM.
Selvie or Orakpo if we go DE.

I think Moore is going to drop to the 2nd. I hope we can get him then.
 
A guy who could fall into the late rounds, or not even get drafted (if he doesn't get an invitation to the combine,) is Duane Brown's old teammate at VT, Brandon Ore.

(Off-the-field problem in his Jr year at VT, perhaps even joining Okoye for some "field trip" LOL.)
He zoned out in classes, skipped study halls, missed team meetings and showed up late for classes.
Ore slipped up just before the Hokies headed to the Orange Bowl. He missed the first 45 minutes of a practice and was suspended for the first quarter of the game.
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/11/after-exit-tech-branden-ore-road-discovery
That got him kicked-off the team during the off-season.

Currently, he's listed at 5'11 - 212 lbs at West Liberty St.

He doesn't have burner speed (currently listed at 4.5) but is faster that he looks, and very well adapted to the ZBS scheme. He is also a good receiver out of the back field.
He looks stronger than Slaton, that's for sure.
 
A guy who could fall into the late rounds, or not even get drafted (if he doesn't get an invitation to the combine,) is Duane Brown's old teammate at VT, Brandon Ore.

(Off-the-field problem in his Jr year at VT, perhaps even joining Okoye for some "field trip" LOL.)
He zoned out in classes, skipped study halls, missed team meetings and showed up late for classes.
Ore slipped up just before the Hokies headed to the Orange Bowl. He missed the first 45 minutes of a practice and was suspended for the first quarter of the game.
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/11/after-exit-tech-branden-ore-road-discovery
That got him kicked-off the team during the off-season.

Currently, he's listed at 5'11 - 212 lbs at West Liberty St.

He doesn't have burner speed (currently listed at 4.5) but is faster that he looks, and very well adapted to the ZBS scheme. He is also a good receiver out of the back field.
He looks stronger than Slaton, that's for sure.

Hell no.

Horrible character. Beamer couldn't even get him in check. If we picked up Branden Ore I would be more than pissed off. Not only is he a cancer, but he sucks.
 
Hell no.

Horrible character. Beamer couldn't even get him in check. If we picked up Branden Ore I would be more than pissed off. Not only is he a cancer, but he sucks.
Young guys can get into trouble, especially when his head is not in the classroom. In all reality, there are guys who just can't wait to go play and make some money.

But that's why I would only consider him with a low round pick or as an UDFA.
 
Young guys can get into trouble, especially when his head is not in the classroom. In all reality, there are guys who just can't wait to go play and make some money.

But that's why I would only consider him with a low round pick or as an UDFA.

If I remember correctly he always had an issue every year. Beamer gave the guy like 4 chances, and he just wouldn't take them.
 
If I remember correctly he always had an issue every year. Beamer gave the guy like 4 chances, and he just wouldn't take them.
We're not looking to pay him much and we don't have to train him much either. And it's not like we depend on him to be the feature back. One slip and he can be gone.

Maybe the mistakes in the early years can turn out to be beneficial to him in the long run. I wouldn't cry if we don't take him!
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The Texans' two top needs are a second pass-rusher and a quarterback. Assuming Schaub is given one final year to develop, I see Kubiak taking the best quarterback that fits his system. Is this Harrell from Tech? I've heard he could fall to the second/third round. So to me, if you are drafting today, and the guy falls in your lap, you take Orakpo. The combination of him and Mario would make for a killer front line, which will improve the defense exponentially.

No way in hell we find a QB in this pathetic draft class that will be better than Schaub.

The seniors all suck, with the exception of Harrell, who I don't particularly like as an NFL QB because he holds the ball forever in the pocket. I do love his ability to buy extra time though. He is very underrated in that capacity.

Not sold on Stafford if he comes out. Big arm, big hype, nothin else.

If some of the other juniors declare then maybe. Especially Nate Davis.
 
There is also Andre Smith and Eugene Monroe that are really highly rated LT's. Depending on the team, one or both could go before Oher.

But moving Duane Brown to guard intrigues me. Would this be a legitimate solution? After watching him so far this season what would yall say his strengths and weaknesses are? He gets blown up by speedy edge rushers, but how would he do against DT's straight up playing in the middle and not on the edge?

He was rated so highly by our inept staff because of his athletic ability. His ability to seal the edge and slide his feet fast enough to cover the outside speed rusher. His "only" supposed weakness, as we were told when he was drafted, was his inability to stand up to the bull-rushes and the strength moves (This proved to be true as early as TC vs. Mario). However, as he proved at VT with at least 8 sacks given up, just his final year, he is incapable of handling even the speed rushers. So, we have a LT who isn't strong enough nor capable of holding the bull-rushers with power moves, and who isn't quick enough to block the edge rushers. Allen wasn't even touched by Brown on one of those dirty hits.


By God Texan fans, I swear to you: I am getting to the front office as quickly as I can.
 
No way in hell we find a QB in this pathetic draft class that will be better than Schaub.

The seniors all suck, with the exception of Harrell, who I don't particularly like as an NFL QB because he holds the ball forever in the pocket. I do love his ability to buy extra time though. He is very underrated in that capacity.

Not sold on Stafford if he comes out. Big arm, big hype, nothin else.

If some of the other juniors declare then maybe. Especially Nate Davis.

I like Stafford actually, but I'm not sold on a first round QB right now. I'm still of the belief that an elite QB is one of the last pieces you add, not the first. Harrell is a legit QB prospect, but probably barely a first day guy. He isn't an elite level QB and a lot of issues are distorted due to the scheme, having the best football player in America on his team, and 2-foot splits by a massive offensive line.

One Senior QB to avoid like the plague: Josh Freeman. Avoid him. I warn you fellows who don't follow the draft closely, do not be fooled by ideal size and some good measurables. Do not be fooled. He was KU's MVP in the game this year. Again: Do not be fooled by his 6'6, 255lb frame with a big arm. Stay away.
 
Ok, Im not big on the neames, but who is the DE from South Florida? Id look into him. I also think Tebow would drop to later rounds, since he would have to overhaul alot of what he does and learn to play QB again.
 
A guy who could fall into the late rounds, or not even get drafted (if he doesn't get an invitation to the combine,) is Duane Brown's old teammate at VT, Brandon Ore.

(Off-the-field problem in his Jr year at VT, perhaps even joining Okoye for some "field trip" LOL.)
He zoned out in classes, skipped study halls, missed team meetings and showed up late for classes.
Ore slipped up just before the Hokies headed to the Orange Bowl. He missed the first 45 minutes of a practice and was suspended for the first quarter of the game.
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/11/after-exit-tech-branden-ore-road-discovery
That got him kicked-off the team during the off-season.

Currently, he's listed at 5'11 - 212 lbs at West Liberty St.

He doesn't have burner speed (currently listed at 4.5) but is faster that he looks, and very well adapted to the ZBS scheme. He is also a good receiver out of the back field.
He looks stronger than Slaton, that's for sure.


No. Issues or not, he simply doesn't have the talent. Cut and dry.
 
Ok, Im not big on the neames, but who is the DE from South Florida? Id look into him. I also think Tebow would drop to later rounds, since he would have to overhaul alot of what he does and learn to play QB again.

Selvie, who is a top 15 type player, depending on his weight at draft time.

Tebow is a different animal entirely. He has proven actually over the last year and a half to have a very solid motion and a big time arm. He has cut down on his running this year. He still provides that option, but he has legit NFL size that can hold up. I'm starting to get more into his camp as a prospect.
 
Selvie, who is a top 15 type player, depending on his weight at draft time.

Tebow is a different animal entirely. He has proven actually over the last year and a half to have a very solid motion and a big time arm. He has cut down on his running this year. He still provides that option, but he has legit NFL size that can hold up. I'm starting to get more into his camp as a prospect.

Meh, I have seen him make some great throws but not often. Most of the throws he makes are to wide open receivers. Not sold on his accuracy one bit.
 
14. Aaron Curry-OLB Wake Forest
This would be a MAJOR pick for us. It would toss Greenwood out and put someone in who has the ability, size, and speed to play the position well. If he was on the Board(which I dont think he will) we could also go get James Laurinaitis the Ohio State MLB. We could then move Meco to OLB. In either case Greenwood either hits the pine or hit the street. Either one is good in my book.

With our brilliant trade down we now have 2 2nds to play with.

Ok. those are my thoughts. Rip me apart!!!

If we move Ryans to OLB, I may kick a kitten. To pass on Willis, then 2 years later realize you need to move him, I will be pissed.
 
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