beerlover
Hall of Fame
Final Texan Group Mock Draft of 2012
Here is our annual final version 2012 Texan Mock Draft, compliments of Badboy, rmartin65 & beerlover. No big reaches early, solid middle with low risk high reward prospects late. This was a group effort with multiple edited versions, starting with #26 & finishing with a total redo proposal trashed. Need really drove this draft, from giving Schaub protection, more targets in passing game, along with depth behind him & Yates. Wade Phillips didn't come away empty handed either, addressing OLB to provide depth/rotation & interior NT to develop. Even pushed a kicker for Joe Marciano to break in.
FIRST ROUND, #26: Coby Fleener TE Stanford. 66 247, arm length 33 3/8, hand size 10
We have all identified that a huge need for the Texans is a second option in the passing game, and Fleener fits the bill nicely. While he is not a WR, Coby should provide match-up problems (size and strength vs DBs, speed vs LBs) that no WR in the draft can. Fleener possesses excellent body control and soft hands, both of which are musts in todays NFL. We are not expecting him to be the next Gronkowski, but we do think he has the potential to be a premier receiving TE sooner rather than later. Fleener has steadily improved during his time at Stanford and turned into a technical, effective route runner who is able to separate at the top of routes. He would fast become Schaubs #2 receiving option in double set TE formation Kubiak favors. Coby will go up for the ball in traffic, people will discover he is more physical than expected & willing blocker that will improve in time just like he showcased steady improvement while @ Stanford. He is a smooth athlete who looks natural running deep down the field, even at his height something Texans need & covet along with 2nd rounder Brian Quick this not only stretches the field it creates multiple match-up problems for defensive coordinators & Arian Foster should continue his ground assault without teams crowding the box.
SECOND ROUND, #58: Brian Quick, WR Appalachian State. 64 220, 34 ¼ arm length, hand size 9 ¾
Former Basketball player & High Jumper Quick passes the eye test looking the part of a NFL 1st rd. WR. If not for his late start (played only one year of High School Football) he would have been heavily recruited by a bigger school other than a NCAA Division I FCS level school, but then probably doesnt make it to 58th overall selection after developing four years into a 1st team All American. 71 receptions, 1096 yards & 11 TDs his senior year. Quick has also proven to be durable with no recent nagging injuries to speak of, no ACL tears or hamstring issues, you have to go back 2007, his second year playing football, that he redshirted because of back pain, but not before helping Mountaineers upset Michigan in that memorable upset when young Brian used his length & vertical jump to block what would have been a game winning field goal for that devastated Wolverine team. Check off the Texan requirements in both size & speed departments, ran in low 4.5s w/outstanding length, over 80 wingspan. Clean on/off field. Willing blocker, special teams standout & does not have diva attitude, someone for Andre to help groom to reach his potential.
THIRD ROUND, #76: Ronnell Lewis DE/OLB Oklahoma. 6'2" 253, 32 ½ arm length, hand size 9 ¼
Early-entry Junior nicknamed "The Hammer" by teammates. Although he only played in 10 games, stats good: 59 T with 13 TFL (5.5 sacks) 5 passes batted down with a forced fumble and 1 INT. Solid Combine benched 36, ran 7.09 short shuttle which showcased his natural strength & change of direction speed, leading us to believe talent is there to stand-up & fit in Wade Phillips 3-4. He plays physically with violence & aggressive hand use. *Note he outplayed Seminole OTs Datko and Sanders late in season. Sharp footwork, fluid quickness & keeps eyes up locating ball fast & have smooth change of direction. Teams impressed with his interviews during the combine & how he explained how his grades kept him from bowl game. He possess a strong will with high motor, similar to Brooks Reed & Connor Barwin which leads one to believe he cannot be held in check a whole game & will get to the QB.
FOURTH ROUND, #99: Phillip Blake C/OG Baylor. 6'2" 311, arm length 33" hand size 9 3/4"
Senior, three year starter, already played in a pro-style offense with RG3. Needs an NFL conditioning program to keep weight but change some flab to muscle. Regardless, he is a man. Combine bench was 22 which belies his strength. Did well against much heavier Ta'Amu (DT) & brains will allow him to back up Myers calling the Oline and should contest for RG if not start. He has low center of gravity with strong anchor that allows him to maintain position against big DTs. Hand placement could be better but few got by him. Texans' QBs ability to take snap from center rather than shotgun like RG# will benefit this man mountain as will the ZBS. Some mention his age but not an issue as he should last 5-6+ years. Oh BTW? Myers just signed long term deal & he turns 31 Sept 15th. Top Offensive line performer @ Combine in both vertical (29.5) & long jump (105).
FOURTH ROUND, #121: Levy Adcock, OT/OG Oklahoma State. 65 322, 33 arm length, hand size 9 ½
Snubbed by the combine, despite selected to Big 12 First Team & not allowing a single sack all year playing LT in the Cowboys high profile passing offense. Adcock is your classic late bloomer, who added 30 pounds his senior year as his frame filled out. Levy is more athletic than given credit for & can line up multiple positions (LT/RT or LG/RG) adding plus value to his draft stock. Plays with attitude, confidence & brings his lunch pail to work every day. In the mold of a more talented, diverse prospect than recently departed Mike Brisel. While far from a finished product Levy possess natural knee bend, technique, size & experience to start in a pinch if needed. Impressed scouts at OSU Pro-Day running a fluid 5.18 forty, benched 26 times, with 27 ½ vertical. Along with Center /OG Phillip Blake early in 4th Texans can rebuild interior of their OL vacated by Brisel/Winston, back-up for Myers & replacement swing tackle for Butler.[/QUOTE]
FIFTH ROUND, #161: Ryan Lindley, QB San Diego State. 63 3/4 229, 32 ¼ arm length, hand size 10 1/8
Looking at the Texans roster, there are only 2 QBs listed- Schaub and Yates. Matt is coming off a serious injury, and will be a highly paid free agent after this coming season, while we all like Yates, it is simply not prudent to put all of our eggs in one basket. Therefore, we have decided to draft Ryan Lindley at this spot in the draft. Lindley boasts excellent size for the position, and is quite adept at throwing on the move, but is even better in the pocket. A 4 year starter, Lindley exhibits great maturity. So why does he fall this far? The answer is simple- competition and accuracy. Playing in the MWC is obviously not the same as playing in the SEC, and as for accuracy, Lindley needs some work. The ability is there, but he is just not consistent. All in all, he should be a great 3rd QB this season, with the potential to be a starting QB down the line. Texans need to use Kubiaks feel & developmental abilities @ the QB position, someday instead of just letting coveted free agents walk, where they have depth these young, developed QBs have great trading value down the road if they so choose.
SIXTH ROUND, #195: Randy Bullock, Kicker Texas A&M. 510 205, 100 PAT% 2009-10
Bullock won the Lou Groza Award as College Footballs top kicker in 2011. 29 of 33 Field Goal attempts made, increasing FG 87.9% from 76.2% in 2010 while increasing length. His trend line is a positive one, that is important to a kickers confidence & proving track record based on sound fundamentals moving forward to the NFL. His range is currently already in the 50 yard territory with a 52 yard FG this past season setting a new personal best . With strengthening & more technical work he can be expected to extend his range into the mid to high 50 yard range on a consistent basis. Scouts came away impressed with his leg strength both at the Combine & Pro-Day. http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2012/03/texans-check-out-texas-am-kicker/ Randy already looks the part of a NFL kicker, both quality of character, work ethic & maturity. We feel its time special teams coach grooms a young 10-15 year starter to become the Texans long term answer & closer.
SEVENTH ROUND, #233: Ishmaaily Kitchen, NT Kent State. 63 334, 35 reps 31 vertical
Our last pick is going towards a developmental player that flashed brilliance at the college level, but needs to be coached up to his talents. Yes, the Texans are now using a system where the NT is a penetrator, and that is not really Kitchens game. However, Wade has proven over the years to design his scheme around his talent. And we believe Kitchen has talent, it is just a matter of uncovering it. Kitchens biggest strength is, well, his strength. He is a bear to move inside, and consistently occupies 2 blockers, effectively neutralizing the run game. There was a very noticeable difference when Kitchen missed a couple games due to a dislocated elbow, and when he was in the game. Even if he never pans out to be a starting caliber player (it is a 7th rounder, after all), he should still be a useful player in short-yardage situations. http://www.wytv.com/content/news/he...-Pro-Day/i4lVi306Z0WS6yVig5gcow.cspx?rss=1666[/QUOTE]
