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BL 2014 Mid-Season Mock

beerlover

Hall of Fame
C'mon guys, y'all know Texans will win enough games with weak schedule going forward to finish outside top 10 picks looking in (13th). Still can enhance roster deficiency, linebacker corps while Case Keenum proves he has the "right stuff".

420110930164501001_t607.JPG

1st - Kahali Mack, Buffalo, OLB/ILB, 6026 248

Physical prototype with a combination of excellent size and overall athleticism for the position. Can bend the edge or slip though seams to make plays, plus in coverages, could fill inside linebacker role next to Brian Cushing. Natural instincts, NFL body, exceptional change of direction, quick feet & unstoppable motor really beefing up nicked up Texan LB corps. I see him becoming a special player in the league, fitting nicely into Texans needs & locker room.
Daniel Jeremiah ✔ @MoveTheSticks
My phone is blowing up with texts from personnel guys that are impressed with Khalil Mack. He's a stud!
1:37 PM - 31 Aug 2013

130715140103-austin-seferian-jenkins-top-single-image-cut.jpg

2nd - Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington, TE, 6060 266

NFL size, athletic ability & soft hands. On my draft board he is a top 50 pick for sure so picking 41st-44 overall he should be in Kubiak wheelhouse. TE production should be much improved in this offense he gives Keenum another legit weapon, really wanted Vance McDonald out of Rice last year, he went off the board two picks before Texans selected last year. Austin is even better athlete, more big play capability would be a great improvement offensively.

7725180.jpg

3rd - Sean Hickey, Syracuse, OT, 6050 291

Strong, quick, smart, hard working LT who replaced Justin Pugh drafted by Giants 1st rd. #19th overall. Has proven ability to recover from injury's including torn acl important because we all know each player reacts differently to adversity. He is now the strongest man on the team will work out exceptionally well @ combine, don't let his size discourage you, he can already lift 225 40 plus reps. I'm drafting attitude & need with this selection.

fz7r.jpg

4th - Ryan Carrethers, Arkansas State, NT, 6020 332

Not just another big body @ 332 a trim lethal 332 with less than 16% body fat. Need enforcer inside to play nose, he was a state champion heavy weight wrestler, w/400-pound power clean, 664-pound squat and 400-pound incline bench press. He is a beast & hails from Derek Newton alma-mater. He has astounding 54 tackles, 5 TFL & 3.5 sacks for loss. Projected Chris Jones for Texans last year don't let another one slip out of sight.

130714165222-david-fales-top-single-image-cut.jpg

5th - David Fales, San Jose State, QB, 6020 220

Next developmental signal caller behind Keenum as Gary must clear house, hopefully adding additional pick or two? Could develop into starting QB down the road once he learns system adequate back-up in case of injury. QB moves could clear plenty of cap space to extend JJ Watt, time to reshape position moving forward for Texans.

dri-archer-p1.jpg

6th - Dri Archer, Kent State, RB-KR, 5080 173

Special teams must address return position, having better depth @ RB also important. Dri has speed of Holliday, has clocked electronically a 4.29 40-yard dash. Production on field as well running for 1,429 yards and 16 TDs, with a 9-yard average per carry. His average of 38.2 yards per kick return leads the country and his three kick-return touchdowns puts him in a tie for the most in Division I.

7th - Greg Blair, Cincinnati, ILB, 6010 252

Greg Blair has the potential to be a very solid inside linebacker for now I'll just take solid depth that is missing as well improved special teams player. Blair demonstrates above average ability in coverage and is a very intuitive run defender. His biggest strength comes in his ability to quickly and accurately read his keys and in his quick analysis and reaction to plays. This demonstrates Blair’s high football IQ and coach ability. Texans traditionally take undrafted route but see how that is working, time to spend a pick to solidify weakest part of team.
 
I've been following Carrethers and he is becoming more of an option; great last game. Not sure he will be there in 4th..your thoughts?
 
also not sure about that weak schedule: still have to play the colts twice, NE, den, 3 other divisional games which are never push overs, arizona away is not a gimme. if we can get another 4 or 5 wins i would be surprised
 
first pick has to be out of the park, feel confident in Mack given Texan Lb liability which is essential to run Wade Phillips system. look they lost both Mario Williams then Connor Barwin back to back. somethings gotta give.

lack of elite TE production is killing this team. Owen is on a downward spiral & frankly not a big fan of Garrett Graham upside, seems fairly limited to me. Austin is a freak, only question is will he still be available? picked based off need & BPA.

problem with Texan OL is that they've gotten bigger but slower. not what I remember Gibbs drawing up initially with his version of ZBS. Hickey is a smaller more mobile ZBS OT plenty strong enough not to be bull rushed yet quick enough to deal with speed on the edge. great pick @ position of need.

I'm not sure BB if Ryan will still be there but if he is heck of a pick. moved NT way up on my hierarchy of needs for Texans, as mentioned nailed Chris Jones last year but they tried to be too cute & lost him.

Fales dropping to top of the 5th not out of question. seems like a decent kid with starter potential but developmental.

I'm sick every time I see Holliday, another player mocked to Texans in the 6th. this would be a much earlier 6th plus intangibles all way around addressing a sore thumb need.

Blair is nothing special, but a solid football player who could make this roster right now & address shortage @ LB. Special teams a plus. All these players need or should make the roster as it stands. I'll give Ed Reed one more year to see what he can do if that is all next draft I'm going defensive backfield heavy.
 
first pick has to be out of the park, feel confident in Mack given Texan Lb liability which is essential to run Wade Phillips system. look they lost both Mario Williams then Connor Barwin back to back. somethings gotta give.

lack of elite TE production is killing this team. Owen is on a downward spiral & frankly not a big fan of Garrett Graham upside, seems fairly limited to me. Austin is a freak, only question is will he still be available? picked based off need & BPA.

problem with Texan OL is that they've gotten bigger but slower. not what I remember Gibbs drawing up initially with his version of ZBS. Hickey is a smaller more mobile ZBS OT plenty strong enough not to be bull rushed yet quick enough to deal with speed on the edge. great pick @ position of need.

I'm not sure BB if Ryan will still be there but if he is heck of a pick. moved NT way up on my hierarchy of needs for Texans, as mentioned nailed Chris Jones last year but they tried to be too cute & lost him.

Fales dropping to top of the 5th not out of question. seems like a decent kid with starter potential but developmental.

I'm sick every time I see Holliday, another player mocked to Texans in the 6th. this would be a much earlier 6th plus intangibles all way around addressing a sore thumb need.

Blair is nothing special, but a solid football player who could make this roster right now & address shortage @ LB. Special teams a plus. All these players need or should make the roster as it stands. I'll give Ed Reed one more year to see what he can do if that is all next draft I'm going defensive backfield heavy.

I have to agree with you on the TE play of this team and I really think OD will be gone next year. I don't know much about Jenkins but he has the right size. Is he fast? Does he block well? Kubes has never picked a TE this high in the draft, but if they cut ties with OD, he may just go for a TE like this in the 2nd.

As for the O-line, there's likely 3 pieces (Brown, W.Smith, Newton) that are having issues with 2 of them needing to be replaced. Brown's issues, I believe, are due to his off season surgery and I fully expect him to get back to normal soon. Wade Smith is getting long in the tooth and needs to be replaced. Thought they did this by drafting Quiz and he could still be the answer at LG, or he could end up replacing Newton at RT. In any case, they need to draft at least 1 O-lineman next year and see which one (Newton, Quiz, B. Williams, or draft pick) will win out at RT. I don't know anything about Hickey but he seems like a good pick in the 3rd.

Of course we don't know how the season plays out, where the Texans will pick, and if Kubes and company will be back next year, but all in all, I think this is one of the better mocks I've seen. It addresses all the areas of need and most of the players look to be solid selections.
 
I have to agree with you on the TE play of this team and I really think OD will be gone next year. I don't know much about Jenkins but he has the right size. Is he fast? Does he block well? Kubes has never picked a TE this high in the draft, but if they cut ties with OD, he may just go for a TE like this in the 2nd.

As for the O-line, there's likely 3 pieces (Brown, W.Smith, Newton) that are having issues with 2 of them needing to be replaced. Brown's issues, I believe, are due to his off season surgery and I fully expect him to get back to normal soon. Wade Smith is getting long in the tooth and needs to be replaced. Thought they did this by drafting Quiz and he could still be the answer at LG, or he could end up replacing Newton at RT. In any case, they need to draft at least 1 O-lineman next year and see which one (Newton, Quiz, B. Williams, or draft pick) will win out at RT. I don't know anything about Hickey but he seems like a good pick in the 3rd.

Of course we don't know how the season plays out, where the Texans will pick, and if Kubes and company will be back next year, but all in all, I think this is one of the better mocks I've seen. It addresses all the areas of need and most of the players look to be solid selections.

thanks :)
 
Now to the tape.

1st rd. Khalil Mack, three down LB, could fill ILB role as well OLB
http://draftbreakdown.com/video/khalil-mack-vs-ohio-state-2013/

2nd rd. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, out of synch this season so far drops him into Texans lap 2nd rd.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...enkins-finally-a-factor-as-washington-cruises

3rd rd. Sean Hickey, hard working, over achieving, blue collar OT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfo1tqPy6DU

4th rd. Ryan Carrethers, developmental high ceiling nose guard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfje-lrjFzE

5th rd. David Fales, goodby Schaub & Yates. better fit backing up Keenum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjmVs8SVm4k

6th rd. Dri Archer, next Holliday/Sproles?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woDwql_cQ60

7th rd. Greg Blair, advise Texans to select late round ILB before undrafted process to ensure they add quality young player to develop @ position of need. Cannot post a 7th video so will just update his season stats so far for the Bearcats, former team of Connor Barwin. Through 8 games has 51 tackles 6.38 clip, 5.5 TFL, 1 sack, 3 QB hurries, 2 passes knocked down & one forced fumble.
 
i had a TE in my mock as well. glad to see another mocker taking one

A lot of our mocks are very similar position wise this season , I had a TE , NT , OT , ILB & OLB in my mock tho in a different order.


Positional differences , I take safety and cornerback instead of QB and RB/KR tho I believe both to be important positions , there just aren't enough picks to hit every spot.
 
A lot of our mocks are very similar position wise this season , I had a TE , NT , OT , ILB & OLB in my mock tho in a different order.


Positional differences , I take safety and cornerback instead of QB and RB/KR tho I believe both to be important positions , there just aren't enough picks to hit every spot.

Figure in at least one comp pick (either third and fourth round) outside the mock draft, and hopefully a sixth or seventh.
 
Figure in at least one comp pick (either third and fourth round) outside the mock draft, and hopefully a sixth or seventh.
Others have discussed comps and IIRC DR indicates 2 5ths and an extra 7th as comps added to what we have. I will use that in my next mock, probably after this Saturday.
 
A lot of our mocks are very similar position wise this season , I had a TE , NT , OT , ILB & OLB in my mock tho in a different order.


Positional differences , I take safety and cornerback instead of QB and RB/KR tho I believe both to be important positions , there just aren't enough picks to hit every spot.

i agree. with the TE though not many people have it has high a priority has i did. my thinking is if your going to stick with keenum give him as many weapons as you can.

Also regarding safety i would prefer to find a safety in FA.
1) we are already quite young back there
2) i don't think college develops good safeties for the NFL first year out. If i was designing a team i would look for a safety with some NFL experience in FA thats just a personal opinion.
 
C'mon guys, y'all know Texans will win enough games with weak schedule going forward to finish outside top 10 picks looking in (13th). Still can enhance roster deficiency, linebacker corps while Case Keenum proves he has the "right stuff".


I wanted to take this in two parts.

I was wondering what is the average record of the #11 pick over the past 8 years:

2012: 7-9
2011: 7-9
2010: 6-10
2009: 7-9
2008: 7-9
2007: 7-9
2006: 7-9
2005: 6-10

Essentially outside of the top top will likely require 7 wins, but possibly 6. To get to 7 wins, the Texans must go 5-2 over the last 7. To get to 6 they must go 4-3. For a team that has lost 7 straight games, and came very close to losing the first 2, this would be a Herculean effort. If not for a ridiculous comeback in Game 1 and taking advantage of a relatively weak squad at home, the Texans could easily be 0-9 rather than 2-7 right now.

Given the rest of the schedule, I think the Texans lose to the Broncos, Patriots, Colts, Titans. I think they can beat the Raiders and Jags(though I am not as sure about the Jags road game.) I am thinking they finish the final 7 games 3-4 or 2-5 and end up with a 5-11 or 6-10 record. That would put them in the middle to late top 10(say 6-10.)
 
C'mon guys, y'all know Texans will win enough games with weak schedule going forward to finish outside top 10 picks looking in (13th). Still can enhance roster deficiency, linebacker corps while Case Keenum proves he has the "right stuff".

420110930164501001_t607.JPG

1st - Kahali Mack, Buffalo, OLB/ILB, 6026 248

Physical prototype with a combination of excellent size and overall athleticism for the position. Can bend the edge or slip though seams to make plays, plus in coverages, could fill inside linebacker role next to Brian Cushing. Natural instincts, NFL body, exceptional change of direction, quick feet & unstoppable motor really beefing up nicked up Texan LB corps. I see him becoming a special player in the league, fitting nicely into Texans needs & locker room.

130715140103-austin-seferian-jenkins-top-single-image-cut.jpg

2nd - Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington, TE, 6060 266

NFL size, athletic ability & soft hands. On my draft board he is a top 50 pick for sure so picking 41st-44 overall he should be in Kubiak wheelhouse. TE production should be much improved in this offense he gives Keenum another legit weapon, really wanted Vance McDonald out of Rice last year, he went off the board two picks before Texans selected last year. Austin is even better athlete, more big play capability would be a great improvement offensively.

7725180.jpg

3rd - Sean Hickey, Syracuse, OT, 6050 291

Strong, quick, smart, hard working LT who replaced Justin Pugh drafted by Giants 1st rd. #19th overall. Has proven ability to recover from injury's including torn acl important because we all know each player reacts differently to adversity. He is now the strongest man on the team will work out exceptionally well @ combine, don't let his size discourage you, he can already lift 225 40 plus reps. I'm drafting attitude & need with this selection.

fz7r.jpg

4th - Ryan Carrethers, Arkansas State, NT, 6020 332

Not just another big body @ 332 a trim lethal 332 with less than 16% body fat. Need enforcer inside to play nose, he was a state champion heavy weight wrestler, w/400-pound power clean, 664-pound squat and 400-pound incline bench press. He is a beast & hails from Derek Newton alma-mater. He has astounding 54 tackles, 5 TFL & 3.5 sacks for loss. Projected Chris Jones for Texans last year don't let another one slip out of sight.

130714165222-david-fales-top-single-image-cut.jpg

5th - David Fales, San Jose State, QB, 6020 220

Next developmental signal caller behind Keenum as Gary must clear house, hopefully adding additional pick or two? Could develop into starting QB down the road once he learns system adequate back-up in case of injury. QB moves could clear plenty of cap space to extend JJ Watt, time to reshape position moving forward for Texans.

dri-archer-p1.jpg

6th - Dri Archer, Kent State, RB-KR, 5080 173

Special teams must address return position, having better depth @ RB also important. Dri has speed of Holliday, has clocked electronically a 4.29 40-yard dash. Production on field as well running for 1,429 yards and 16 TDs, with a 9-yard average per carry. His average of 38.2 yards per kick return leads the country and his three kick-return touchdowns puts him in a tie for the most in Division I.

7th - Greg Blair, Cincinnati, ILB, 6010 252

Greg Blair has the potential to be a very solid inside linebacker for now I'll just take solid depth that is missing as well improved special teams player. Blair demonstrates above average ability in coverage and is a very intuitive run defender. His biggest strength comes in his ability to quickly and accurately read his keys and in his quick analysis and reaction to plays. This demonstrates Blair’s high football IQ and coach ability. Texans traditionally take undrafted route but see how that is working, time to spend a pick to solidify weakest part of team.


Secondly, I wanted to talk about the mock.

1. What I like about Mack is that he can play in either a 3-4 or 4-3. Considering how bad the team is falling apart, there may be a whole new set of coaches next year. Having a pass rusher is the key to any defensive scheme. Mack would be a great addition to any type of team they put together.

2. Havent seen a ton from him, but my question is what is his speed like? If he is really 6'6 260 with great hands and speed, I can't imagine he last this long, he likely is a mid first. So, I guess my question is, what's the knock on him?

3. Really nice prospect with some injury concerns. Then again, if he didn't have injury concerns, he wouldn't be available in the third. I really like the choice, but my only fear is the Texans drafted a guy with injury concerns last year in Williams. Hate to see it happen again.

4. I love this selection. Whether you run a 4-3 or 3-4 having a trim widebody hard nosed DT would be fantastic. Especially iff the Texans go to a 4-3, he would immediately become JJ's best friend. I would actually consider him 1 round earlier only because wide body athletic guys tend to go a round or so earlier than talent based on size.

5. Not a fan of Fales. Have seen a few of his games and he just doesn't look like he has it. I don't like his decision making and to me that's one of the biggest aspects of being a QB.

6. I would enthusiastically sign off on Archer, IF and ONLY IF, Marciano is gone next year. If he isn't its a waste to draft this guy. Marciano will simply put him in bad position after bad position, cut him and he will do great somewhere else. Marciano has shown he has no clue how to handle ST anymore and I would rather not have him get anymore players.

7. One of the most underrated aspects of being a good ILB is intelligence and pattern recognition. If you know where the play is going, you can take a step or two there early and be there to make the play. Smarts and pattern recognition can hide certain speed and athletic abilities. That's why I love this pick and this idea.

Great mock as usual!
 
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