TexansSeminole 2nd (January) 2014 Mock Draft

Much like in my first mock I am assuming no trades, with one 5th round compensatory pick. I would target a right tackle and linebacker, both inside and outside, help in FA. I would also resign Antonio Smith at a reduced salary number than what he had been earning. I expect to lose Wade Smith via free agency.


Round 1: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

Top QB in the draft right now, I think it stays that way.

Round 2: Zach Martin OG/OT, Notre Dame

This guy played LT last year for Notre Dame, but I think he would be a LG for us, replacing Wade Smith. There is a potential he could play some tackle, but that's not what I am expecting. Tremendous leader, captain.

Round 3: Christian Jones, ILB, FSU

He was my 2nd round pick in my first mock draft. Considering he has been moved around so much in his career and that he didn't have a tremendous season, I think he may drop a bit. There have also been a lot of underclassmen declare that may fall in that 2nd round. He struggled to get off blocks consistently as a DE/OLB this year and he showed a bit of sloppy tackling at the end of the year. He still has good value and think he could be a good ILB for us in time. He will be a great ST right off the bat.

Round 4: Dee Ford, OLB, Auburn

Explosive pass rusher that will need to become more well-rounded to be an NFL starter.

Round 5: James Wilder, RB, FSU

Strong running back that didn't get a ton of playing time for the Noles. Good fit for the ZBS.

Round 5: Antone Exum, CB, Virginia Tech

This guy has a lot of talent, but tore his ACL in a pickup basketball game last January. He fought through an ankle injury when he got back and didn't see the field a lot this year. He could be a steal. Could play CB or S.

Round 6: Jay Prosch, FB, Auburn

Tough nosed football player that is worth late round consideration. FB is not a sexy position, but I think we all know that we need one.

Round 7: Chris Boswell, K, Rice

Same kicker I had in my previous mock draft. Big leg.

I like it, except for the Wilder pick. As you know, I've been very open about him. I don't see it as all. He's a physical specimen and nothing more. There are a dozen RB's I would take in the mid-rounds before I ever even considered him.

Rest is good though. Good stuff. Martin seems to be underrated right now, but he's a very solid guy up front who is versatile. Really impressed with Ford down the stretch.

Two positions that I realize that I am missing here is a RT and DL. Those are two positions in which I think we need to target in free agency.

We have two young guys that may be able to fill the spot at RT, but adding a veteran to compete would probably be wiser than another later round draft pick.

We need to get a number of guys in FA for our DL. We may be able to transition a guy like Mitchell to DE and keep a guy like Crick, but we need a lot more depth at both NT and DE.

WolverineFan said:

I like it, except for the Wilder pick. As you know, I've been very open about him. I don't see it as all. He's a physical specimen and nothing more. There are a dozen RB's I would take in the mid-rounds before I ever even considered him.

Rest is good though. Good stuff. Martin seems to be underrated right now, but he's a very solid guy up front who is versatile. Really impressed with Ford down the stretch.

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I somewhat agree with you on Wilder, which is why I have him where I do. If he had it all already, he'd be a second rounder. I thought about Gaffney at that spot as well.

Martin is underrated IMO as well. People may shake their head at a guard at #33 but the guy could fill a starting OL role for years and is a great leader. He's also versatile, as you said.

I loves me some Dee Ford but I don't think we'll be able to sniff him at 3-1, much less 4-1. Really showed up for the big game.

Playoffs said:

I loves me some Dee Ford but I don't think we'll be able to sniff him at 3-1, much less 4-1. Really showed up for the big game.

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Hard to say exactly where he will go. The combine will be huge for him.

Does OB's scheme use a FB as much as Kubiak's did? I don't remember seeing one used in NE's offense. Doesn't mean it didn't happen, just not recalling it.

drs23 said:

Does OB's scheme use a FB as much as Kubiak's did? I don't remember seeing one used in NE's offense. Doesn't mean it didn't happen, just not recalling it.

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Patriots:

2008/2009 FBs got ~300 snaps total.

2010-2012 FBs got ~100 or less snaps.

2013 FBs got ~300 snaps again.

I think you see FBs being replaced by TEs, with the loss of Hernandez more easily filled with a FB in 2013. You'd think his preference would be TEs - a big 'un and a move - but I'm sure he can adjust to his best 53, however that's made up.

I like the draft, though I'd hesitate on making RB picks based on offensive line scheme until we know whether we're keeping the ZBS or moving to more of a power scheme (with Munchak?).

bhsman said:

I like the draft, though I'd hesitate on making RB picks based on offensive line scheme until we know whether we're keeping the ZBS or moving to more of a power scheme (with Munchak?).

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Thought I read multiple times on the board that our OL will remain ZBS. According to icak, it is.

TexansSeminole said:

Thought I read multiple times on the board that our OL will remain ZBS. According to icak, it is.

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Well NE runs a zone based system. When this came up it sounded like they had signed Brian Ferentz and he is definitely a zone guy. Now Munchak is in play which is less clear. I doubt OB is letting the OL coach pick the scheme though.

Round 1: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

My pick at 1-1 as well.

Round 2: Zach Martin OG/OT, Notre Dame

Hm... I like the pick (and addressing the play of Wade Smith) but what happens at RT? Quessenbery or Brennan Williams steps in? Or do we roll with Newton?

Round 3: Christian Jones, ILB, FSU

Late 1st round early 2nd round pick that gets moved down due to position change and lower than expected quality of play, but I think he can be a good ILB for us too. Like this pick.

Round 4: Dee Ford, OLB, Auburn

Love this pick. Ford is a player, he made good plays when Auburn came down to College Station.

Round 5: James Wilder, RB, FSU

RB is a need, no harm in using a 5th on a good 2nd stringer. Will we still be running the ZBS next season?

Round 5: Antone Exum, CB, Virginia Tech

If he hadn't gotten injured, he would probably be 2nd-3rd round. CB is a need, McCain sucks. I like it.

Round 6: Jay Prosch, FB, Auburn

I love this pick. FB is a need and Jay Prosch is not only a good player but a tremendous human being, knowing his story.

Round 7: Chris Boswell, K, Rice

Bullock sucks. I'm an Aggie and Aggie kickers have scarred me for life. Don't know much about Boswell but yeah, we need a kicker.