My First Mock

For this mock, Mario Williams leaves as a F/A and the Texans are awarded with a compensatory 3rd round pick. 7th goes to NYJets for Derrick Mason. They pick somewhere in the early 20s.

1- Nick Toon WR - True #2 option
2- Mark Barron SS - Quality depth, flexibility on the back end
3- LaMichael James RB - Strength of the team receives a dynamic boost for a meager offering
3b- Kevin Zeitler OG - Improvement on the offensive interior, should be competing for time immediately
4- Tyler Nielsen OLB - Size and speed, depth pick
5- Chad Diehl FB - Casey can't pave roads and Vickers is just a guy. Legit NFL sized FB
6- JR Sweezy DT - Big man with some quickness. Should add quality depth up front

I might have a few guys way out of range, I'm just now trying to pick up some things about the draft so help me there but don't make too much fun lol...

I think this offers everything. Leaned heavy on offense after last year's draft while still offering depth up front, backing the line and in the secondary on defense. Offensive picks add playmakers, a true #2, another runner who could be a dynamic contrast to Foster/Tate, possibly a starter on the interior OL and a quality FB to keep the running game elite. What say you?

Compensatory picks are awarded the year after.

TimeKiller said:

For this mock, Mario Williams leaves as a F/A and the Texans are awarded with a compensatory 3rd round pick. 7th goes to NYJets for Derrick Mason. They pick somewhere in the early 20s.

1- Nick Toon WR - True #2 option
2- Mark Barron SS - Quality depth, flexibility on the back end
3- LaMichael James RB - Strength of the team receives a dynamic boost for a meager offering
3b- Kevin Zeitler OG - Improvement on the offensive interior, should be competing for time immediately
4- Tyler Nielsen OLB - Size and speed, depth pick
5- Chad Diehl FB - Casey can't pave roads and Vickers is just a guy. Legit NFL sized FB
6- JR Sweezy DT - Big man with some quickness. Should add quality depth up front

I might have a few guys way out of range, I'm just now trying to pick up some things about the draft so help me there but don't make too much fun lol...

I think this offers everything. Leaned heavy on offense after last year's draft while still offering depth up front, backing the line and in the secondary on defense. Offensive picks add playmakers, a true #2, another runner who could be a dynamic contrast to Foster/Tate, possibly a starter on the interior OL and a quality FB to keep the running game elite. What say you?

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Toon has NFL talent but durability issue should drop him into the 3rd. Think of Ted Ginn Jr. what would you trade to get him? not to mention Ginn is a premium return man.

Like Texans safety situation. If I target a SS it's late.

I would be happy with either player mentioned in 3rd.

Like Iowa defensive players, produce solid LB's.

Also agree FB needs to be addressed, Casey cannot stay healthy & Vickers too.

Sweezy is athletic, good size wonder if he could add enough weight/strength to play some NT?

Love this mock.

Except I would draft a NT in the 1st (Poe if the draft were to fall this way.)

Because of the reasons mentioned above Toon will probably be there in the 2nd.

1. Toon, I think he's a good WR with great size and hands but he has injury issues, lacks a little speed, and his college production levels aren't the best (not his fault, they run the ball alot) and I think he could be had easily in the late 2nd maybe even the 3rd round. I think he'd make a great slot WR.

2. Barron, we've already had him in Pollard. He hits hard but is limited in his coverage ability and the NFL as a whole is getting away from the punishing SS in favor of guys with coverage skills. I agree with BL that SS is a later round depth issue since Quin is playing very well.

3. James, I like the player and think he would add a different spin to our RB corp but I think we've got bigger issues than 3rd or 4th string RB in the 3rd round. I'd add a late RB for depth purposes only. Other position like ILB, and OG/C that need more immediate depth than SS.

3b. Zeitler, if we got a comp. pick for Mario it wouldn't come until the 2013 draft, and no way this guy is still available in the late 3rd. I think he easily goes in the 2nd round.

4. Nielsen, I don't know anything about the player but I like the position chosen, we'll need LB depth.

5. Diehl, I like the position and player chosen but this is to early he could probably be had in the 7th, but take him in the 6th for added value and still easily get your player.

6. Sweezy, I didn't know anything about him but just looked him up and I like the size and speed, he'd most likely play DE for us and I like the DE depth he offers. Excellent value if still available in the 6th.

7. This pick is contingent on the number of catches that Mason has and we don't seem to be using him much so go ahead and give us a 7th round pick.

1- Nick Toon WR
2- Mark Barron SS
3- LaMichael James RB
3b- Kevin Zeitler OG
4- Tyler Nielsen OLB
5- Chad Diehl FB
6- JR Sweezy DT

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Re-do! I'll catch up.
1- Devon Still DT - Big man.
2 Kevin Zeitler OG - Even if it's a reach that area is hurting for a upgrade. Wisconsin OL seem like a sure thing this year.
3 LaMichael James RB, Nick Toon WR, Brian Quick WR - whoever is available. There should be a decent shot at an offensive playmaker in the middle rounds.
4- Tyler Nielsen OLB - Sticking with the quick feet, fills in behind Mario Williams' departure, which is still part of the this mock whether compensatory picks happen this year or next. He and Braman make excellent backup/special teamers.
5- Patrick Edwards WR - Picking the guy from the backyard. Speed could be a threat in the slot.
6- JR Sweezy DT - Still like his size and athleticism at DT. I envision a bigger, slower JJWatt.
7- Chad Diehl FB - If he can really be had for a 7th, bingo. He's a taller Leach.

Better? Worse? Somewhere in-between?

TimeKiller said:

Re-do! I'll catch up.
1- Devon Still DT - Big man.
2 Kevin Zeitler OG - Even if it's a reach that area is hurting for a upgrade. Wisconsin OL seem like a sure thing this year.
3 LaMichael James RB, Nick Toon WR, Brian Quick WR - whoever is available. There should be a decent shot at an offensive playmaker in the middle rounds.
4- Tyler Nielsen OLB - Sticking with the quick feet, fills in behind Mario Williams' departure, which is still part of the this mock whether compensatory picks happen this year or next. He and Braman make excellent backup/special teamers.
5- Patrick Edwards WR - Picking the guy from the backyard. Speed could be a threat in the slot.
6- JR Sweezy DT - Still like his size and athleticism at DT. I envision a bigger, slower JJWatt.
7- Chad Diehl FB - If he can really be had for a 7th, bingo. He's a taller Leach.

Better? Worse? Somewhere in-between?

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Just curious, how do you decide which players to select?

I play off a couple other websites to get more accurate ranges for the players but mostly I take what I see as need and try to fit in players with good measurables. Notice most of my picks have something to do with size and speed. Or taking a player off a well known unit like Wisconsin OL or Oregon offense. I'm not a diehard college fan but I still love the draft, so I do what I can.

Also I watched a couple games Nick Toon played in, I really liked watching him play. He's good.

TimeKiller said:

I play off a couple other websites to get more accurate ranges for the players but mostly I take what I see as need and try to fit in players with good measurables. Notice most of my picks have something to do with size and speed. Or taking a player off a well known unit like Wisconsin OL or Oregon offense. I'm not a diehard college fan but I still love the draft, so I do what I can.

Also I watched a couple games Nick Toon played in, I really liked watching him play. He's good.

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Ok, thanks. Toon appears to inconsistant when I watch him. I have him rated behind Jeff Fuller A&M I was real excited about this guy last year but he did not do well. Of course it could have been the head coach thing as Tannehill and others seem to level out or regress. I also like Coryell Judie A&M corner but he went blah. I am with you on the size/speed thing. You can't teach either one.

Sweezy was my sleeper guy for a mock I did along time ago.

I wacthed the Fla St blowout against NC St. and Sweezy was the only guy on that defense making plays. He appears to be about as fast as Watt. But is nowhere near as country strong. Sweezy has real talent. His injury history is the only reason his draft stock has fallen.

He would fit right in on this Texans defense. (High energy guy)

steelbtexan said:

Sweezy was my sleeper guy for a mock I did along time ago.

I wacthed the Fla St blowout against NC St. and Sweezy was the only guy on that defense making plays. He appears to be about as fast as Watt. But is nowhere near as country strong. Sweezy has real talent. His injury history is the only reason his draft stock has fallen.

He would fit right in on this Texans defense. (High energy guy)

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I thought you were saying Sweezy fits injury wise, thanks for clarifying. lol

badboy said:

Ok, thanks. Toon appears to inconsistant when I watch him. I have him rated behind Jeff Fuller A&M I was real excited about this guy last year but he did not do well. Of course it could have been the head coach thing as Tannehill and others seem to level out or regress. I also like Coryell Judie A&M corner but he went blah. I am with you on the size/speed thing. You can't teach either one.

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Well, no two sites have the receivers in the same order. There's a good number of big, fast targets this year, I think WR, OG, and LB are especially deep this year. For a 3 I'd be happy with Toon or Fuller. Honestly though and I know the way some people would react to this, I think a lot of these talented WRs will go in round 2 and maybe a guy like Ladarious Green TE who is one of the better TEs in the draft would be available. Don't act like the Texans don't run a million 2 and 3 TE sets. .

TimeKiller said:

Well, no two sites have the receivers in the same order. There's a good number of big, fast targets this year, I think WR, OG, and LB are especially deep this year. For a 3 I'd be happy with Toon or Fuller. Honestly though and I know the way some people would react to this, I think a lot of these talented WRs will go in round 2 and maybe a guy like Ladarious Green TE who is one of the better TEs in the draft would be available. Don't act like the Texans don't run a million 2 and 3 TE sets. .

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If free agent Joel Dreesen is re-signed, I doubt we sign a TE. Who do you like in 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds at Texans pick for ILBs.

badboy said:

If free agent Joel Dreesen is re-signed, I doubt we sign a TE. Who do you like in 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds at Texans pick for ILBs.

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Idk about resigning Dreesen. He's all effort on blocks and though he has good hands isn't a threat as a receiver. He's just good enough to keep talented young players on the bench but we've already seen his highest potential. The Texans rely heavily on the TEs, all jokes aside it would make sense to grab a higher rated TE while you can instead of the 9th WR to go off the board. Besides, with guys like Lestar Jean and Terrance Tolliver making another stab at the roster it's not like there won't be any additions at WR.

For ILB-Vontaze Burfict would be awesome but I've seen him ranked all over the place. Big, strong and fast is an understatement, his athleticism probably pushes him up the boards. Audie Cole is another guy who is all over the rankings right now but I expect will be above what the Texans' consider a prudent choice. A lot of guys here talk about Jerry Franklin from Arkansas, he seems like the right kind of guy and also Emmanual Acho from Texas. I think he would fit right next to Sharpton as excellent depth behind Ryans and Cushing.

Well, you got me thinking...

Picking late in the 1st is beyond all the elite level rookies. We need a receiver/offensive upgrade quick so here's my thinking....all of the elite pass rushers are gone and picking up your man at WR here is a huge reach...so? Get the top flight TE.

1. Dwayne Allen TE- Big, fast, productive target. Lining up with the likes of OD and AJ, with Arian Foster behind him? Weapon.
2. Kevin Zeitler OG- Starts day 1, pushes former starters into depth roles.
3. WR Galore here, Joe Adams, diminuitive build but sub 4.4 speed could be a dynamo in the slot, AJ Jenkins, Marvin McNutt, Tommy Streeter. All excellent options at this point. But that didn't make me feel smarter than everyone else and I already got my receiving upgrade....so?

Andre Branch DE/rushLB - should be making an impact sooner than later. Good size and scouts say he needs technique work but has the raw talent to get there.

4. Ryan Miller OG - Eric Winston clone from what I can see. Imagine two of him running out in front of Foster on a screen. MMM MMM Good.

5. George Iloka FS - From Boise State, 6'3'' 215 with 4.5 speed. Excellent depth/special teams addition

6. Patrick Edwards WR - the Hometown kid. Speed in the slot should give teams fits and he's no novice to catching passes as we all know

7. Chad Diehl FB - I'll probably mock him here in every mock because I think he's going to be a moving wall in the pros. Not a runner. not a pass catcher. A destroyer of wills.

TimeKiller said:

Idk about resigning Dreesen. He's all effort on blocks and though he has good hands isn't a threat as a receiver. He's just good enough to keep talented young players on the bench but we've already seen his highest potential. The Texans rely heavily on the TEs, all jokes aside it would make sense to grab a higher rated TE while you can instead of the 9th WR to go off the board. Besides, with guys like Lestar Jean and Terrance Tolliver making another stab at the roster it's not like there won't be any additions at WR.

For ILB-Vontaze Burfict would be awesome but I've seen him ranked all over the place. Big, strong and fast is an understatement, his athleticism probably pushes him up the boards. Audie Cole is another guy who is all over the rankings right now but I expect will be above what the Texans' consider a prudent choice. A lot of guys here talk about Jerry Franklin from Arkansas, he seems like the right kind of guy and also Emmanual Acho from Texas. I think he would fit right next to Sharpton as excellent depth behind Ryans and Cushing.

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I evaluate Dreesen higher than you do. When OD was injured 2 season ago, it seemed Dreesen stepped right in. I really like him. Of the 16 catches he has this season, 5 are TDs.

Do you think he's better than Dwayne Allen?

TimeKiller said:

For this mock, Mario Williams leaves as a F/A and the Texans are awarded with a compensatory 3rd round pick. 7th goes to NYJets for Derrick Mason. They pick somewhere in the early 20s.

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Man, we gotta get more for Mario than just a 3rd round compensatory pick! If anything, I would hope they resign him and then trade him for multiple picks(sign & trade). But really I would like him to stay if at all possible. I know the money thing might not work out, especially since we will probably have to 'break the bank" for Foster, and I believe Myers needs to be resigned too. So, if we do have to let him go, I hope we can do a sign & trade with somebody. There's some good 4-3 teams that should be drooling for Mario! Denver comes to mind.

Insideop said:

Man, we gotta get more for Mario than just a 3rd round compensatory pick! If anything, I would hope they resign him and then trade him for multiple picks(sign & trade). But really I would like him to stay if at all possible. I know the money thing might not work out, especially since we will probably have to 'break the bank" for Foster, and I believe Myers needs to be resigned too. So, if we do have to let him go, I hope we can do a sign & trade with somebody. There's some good 4-3 teams that should be drooling for Mario! Denver comes to mind.

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I'd rather sign Foster and Meyers, using whatever's left to improve the secondary. Mario was a big part of this team for a long time but I think he's got his mind on a big paycheck from somebody, somebody else. This D is fierce without him and if they can fill in some more gaps i.e. OLB depth, Big man DT, #2 CB, Safety depth with the money saved from him I say move on. Plus you get an extra pick in the midst of a draft. 3rd rounders are good picks to have.

TimeKiller said:

I'd rather sign Foster and Meyers, using whatever's left to improve the secondary. Mario was a big part of this team for a long time but I think he's got his mind on a big paycheck from somebody, somebody else. This D is fierce without him and if they can fill in some more gaps i.e. OLB depth, Big man DT, #2 CB, Safety depth with the money saved from him I say move on. Plus you get an extra pick in the midst of a draft. 3rd rounders are good picks to have.

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^^^This^^^

+1

TimeKiller said:

Do you think he's better than Dwayne Allen?

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Dreesen is an established NFl vet so I'll say yes. Allen will be an early to mid 2nd round pick if not higher so unless you want to go first round on TE or trade up in second, there's your answer.

Insideop said:

Man, we gotta get more for Mario than just a 3rd round compensatory pick! If anything, I would hope they resign him and then trade him for multiple picks(sign & trade). But really I would like him to stay if at all possible. I know the money thing might not work out, especially since we will probably have to 'break the bank" for Foster, and I believe Myers needs to be resigned too. So, if we do have to let him go, I hope we can do a sign & trade with somebody. There's some good 4-3 teams that should be drooling for Mario! Denver comes to mind.

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To get a compensatory pick, you have to give up more than you get. We signed Manning and Joseph and would lose only Mario under scenario discussed so we would get nothing.

badboy said:

To get a compensatory pick, you have to give up more than you get. We signed Manning and Joseph and would lose only Mario under scenario discussed so we would get nothing.

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Those would be in 2 different league years though. Signing Manning and Joseph happened in league year 2011. Whereas if we lose Mario to FA I think it happens in league year 2012. Thus, our own FA movement within FA year 2012 would make the difference, not FA year 2011.

Doppelganger said:

Those would be in 2 different league years though. Signing Manning and Joseph happened in league year 2011. Whereas if we lose Mario to FA I think it happens in league year 2012. Thus, our own FA movement within FA year 2012 would make the difference, not FA year 2011.

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I see what you are saying. The compensatory picks for 2012 draft would be for season ending 2011. Therefor, Mario leaving (Which I do not think he will) would be compensated in draft for 2013.

badboy said:

Dreesen is an established NFl vet so I'll say yes. Allen will be an early to mid 2nd round pick if not higher so unless you want to go first round on TE or trade up in second, there's your answer.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2XwUNMMS38&feature=related

I disagree. Dreesen is a good blocker and decent hands guy but Allen has special ability, a much higher ceiling. He runs like a 6'6'' WR. This team needs another legitimate target on the field, I don't think it matters where. Hopefully they'll have a late 1st round pick anyway so it's not a giant reach. Being able to line him up with so many threats on the field in a 2 or 3 TE set would be a coverage nightmare.