No QB in the First Mock

Watching more and more tape of other prospects available at 1-1, I've become enamored. I think QB is the biggest need on this team and I think we still take a QB Day 1 of the draft, but what if we don't? Say the FO is set against the Big 3 at 1-1 and decide to wait till a later round to take a QB. This is a simulation of that. If I was dead-set against a QB at 1-1, what would I do?

Here's the mock. Questions/comments/criticism is valued as always.
I've factored in the 6th from Oakland and added two 5th rounders thanks to compensatory picks.

Source for projected comp. picks: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/red_zone/2014-NFL-compensatory-pick-projections.html


1. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson 6'1 211




Jeez, have y'all seen the tape on this guy? His body control, footwork, smoothness, speed, and creation of YAC are freaking fantastic. Dre is 32 and I don't think DeAndre is a true number 1. He strikes me as more of a 1b. kinda guy, better than a run of the mill #2 but not quite the elite #1 you want. Here's our chance to have our own Julio Jones - Roddy White combo, except younger. While Andre is on this team he'll be #1, but can you imagine that line up of receivers? Andre, DeAndre, and Watkins operating on the outside, in the slot, wherever he can make an impact. Whoever quarterbacks this team will have no shortage of weaponry to use.

2. Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia 6'6 314




Does Derek Newton suck? Yes he does. Does he need replacing? You bet.
Looking at a line of Duane Brown - Brandon Brooks - Chris Myers - Quessenbery - Moses makes me feel a lot better heading into the season.

3. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia 6'1, 207




Aaron Murray would be a 1st rounder, 2nd rounder at worst if it wasn't for his injury concerns. Murray is short, yes, and could stand to be a little bit stockier, but he displays all the traits I like in a QB. He's a field general, he's gritty, he makes good decisions, and is a general of the pro offense. I believe he can take over as starter in the middle of the season.

4. Daniel McCullers, DT, Tennessee 6'7 352

Big, fat guy in the middle who is disruptive in the run game. Not a great pass-rusher but will handle his responsibilities in the 3-4 and will hold his own. Improvement over our last few tackles.

5. Deion Belue, CB, Alabama 5'11 182




I think Belue is undervalued by many people. He has matched up against several WRs who would eat him up and held his own. In our defense, he won't be required to cover any Mike Evans, though. Solid nickel CB who will replace the horrible Brice McCain.

5b. De'Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon 5'9 174




Will play a role similar to the one Danny Woodhead did in New England. Playmaker who can do something with the ball after you get it into his hands. Should be able to contribute nicely as a limited role player.

5c. Isaiah Crowell, RB, Alabama State, 5'11 224




Tough, physical runner. Will help spell Arian Foster with a different style of running than Foster's. 3rd - 4th round pick if he hadn't screwed up while at Georgia, but he has shown that he has made amends and looks to be a much more mature person than he was at Georgia. While moving to Bama State probably didn't do much for his draft stock, it did help him as a person and I believe will make him a better player in the long run in the NFL.

6. Tre Boston, S, North Carolina, 6'0 204




Former CB who has a lot of upside to improve. Physical defender as well. Could stand to improve his decision making.

6 - from OAK. Andrew Jackson, ILB, Western Kentucky 6'1 254




ILB depth, shores up the position after the departure of Joe Mays.

7. Taylor Hart, DE, Oregon, 6'6 281




Project DE, depth, and might be able to work his way into the rotation. Certainly looks the part, has long arms, needs to work on technique.

If we take Watkins and pair him w Hopkins why don't we take Boyd in the 5/6th and make the Clemson connection?

I LIKE IT!!! If we could pull off that draft, I'd have to nominate you for "GM of the Year".

PapaL said:

If we take Watkins and pair him w Hopkins why don't we take Boyd in the 5/6th and make the Clemson connection?

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I thought about it, but I really like Aaron Murray. I seriously believe that if it weren't for injury Murray's name would be tossed around with Carr's right underneath the Big 3 in the mid-late 1st round.

I see starter material there. If we pull him in the 3rd, I'd jump for joy.

Hottoddie said:

I LIKE IT!!! If we could pull off that draft, I'd have to nominate you for "GM of the Year".

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Thanks! The board-wide mock draft we have has opened my eyes a little bit to alternative ideas and this was the result of a little playing around with alternative draft ideas in case none of the QBs in the 1st round are worth taking 1-1.

More and more I'd be less upset with not taking a QB 1-1. There are other prospects there that are much better, just not at a position as important as QB. Case in point: Watkins, Greg Robinson, even Clowney (if you choose to disregard effort concerns and whatnot).

htownfan32 said:

1. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson 6'1 211

2. Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia 6'6 314

3. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia 6'1, 207

4. Daniel McCullers, DT, Tennessee 6'7 352

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I'd be a very, very happy Texans fan if we had this draft. The first three picks are what does it for me... everything afterwards is just icing on the cake.

I think Sammy Watkins is the best player in the draft, bar none. I love Morgan Moses at 2-1, but I would be worried the last two QBs on my list would be gone if I don't take him there.... but you get Murray in the 3rd & he is one of the two QBs I would target at 2-1.

6'7" 352 lbs? Now that's a big boy.

htownfan32 said:

I thought about it, but I really like Aaron Murray. I seriously believe that if it weren't for injury Murray's name would be tossed around with Carr's right underneath the Big 3 in the mid-late 1st round.

I see starter material there. If we pull him in the 3rd, I'd jump for joy.

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I also think ACL repair has come a lot further in recent years & is no longer the death knell it used to be. I don't think he'll be Adrian Peterson. But he'll heal up a lot better than the "scouts" are giving him credit for.

thunderkyss said:

I'd be a very, very happy Texans fan if we had this draft. The first three picks are what does it for me... everything afterwards is just icing on the cake.

I think Sammy Watkins is the best player in the draft, bar none. I love Morgan Moses at 2-1, but I would be worried the last two QBs on my list would be gone if I don't take him there.... but you get Murray in the 3rd & he is one of the two QBs I would target at 2-1.

6'7" 352 lbs? Now that's a big boy.

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I have a feeling Murray will be around at 3-1. He might not be around at 3-10, or 3-20, though. The benefit of picking first in every new round is that your second is basically a late first rounder, third is basically a late 2nd rounder, etc.

Also, (and this goes for anyone reading this draft) you'll have to excuse me for jumping the gun xD. Turns out instead of two 5ths like I used in this draft, we're getting a 4th, a 6th, and a 7th.

thunderkyss said:

I also think ACL repair has come a lot further in recent years & is no longer the death knell it used to be. I don't think he'll be Adrian Peterson. But he'll heal up a lot better than the "scouts" are giving him credit for.

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i have to agree with this. doing the operation as key hole instead of butchering the entire knee has helped recovery immensely and there is so much more research now regarding the rehab period.

I really like Watkins as franchise type guy who can score and move the ball down-field. I have Garoppolo in second and hopefully with trade down from 33 picking up another pick. No to McCullers as I watched him play & think he can stop only those coming right at him. We need a bit more from that position.

badboy said:

I really like Watkins as franchise type guy who can score and move the ball down-field. I have Garoppolo in second and hopefully with trade down from 33 picking up another pick. No to McCullers as I watched him play & think he can stop only those coming right at him. We need a bit more from that position.

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I think Justin Ellis out of Louisiana Tech could be had with our late 4th or 5th. I like him. What do you think of him?

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1697064/justin-ellis

Hottoddie said:

I think Justin Ellis out of Louisiana Tech could be had with our late 4th or 5th. I like him. What do you think of him?

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1697064/justin-ellis

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I like Ellis, but he reminds me of Poe in that he has NT size with a 3' tech skill set and played at a small school with less than ideal production. Remember Poe was awful as a rookie before breaking out this past year because of great development by his coaching staff. Ellis will need ever more development because he doesn't have near the same measureables, hence the 4th round grade versus top 20.

Hottoddie said:

I think Justin Ellis out of Louisiana Tech could be had with our late 4th or 5th. I like him. What do you think of him?

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1697064/justin-ellis

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I like Ellis as well, he's got text book size for the position and good athleticism for such a big man. Like WF said he'll take some time to adjust to the NFL but I think he's worth the pick in a rotational playing role. I'd take him at 5.1.

As for the original mock, I like it with the exception of McCullers. He's just to tall to be effective at NT, his height is going to work against him since he'll have a hard time keeping his pad level down. O-linemen will be able to stand him up, thus he'll lose leverage.

Hottoddie said:

I LIKE IT!!! If we could pull off that draft, I'd have to nominate you for "GM of the Year".

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I like it too .... Ive mocked every player in that list to the Texans at one time or another thru this process - accept for Watkins & honestly wouldn't be mad about the choice pending you do get Murray that late.

Hottoddie said:

I think Justin Ellis out of Louisiana Tech could be had with our late 4th or 5th. I like him. What do you think of him?

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1697064/justin-ellis

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Sorry for delay as just got internet at new place; not interested in Ellis. Too flabby for me and my understanding diet is an issue. Does have good motor but I'm concerned he would end up in the Dairy Queen ice cream freezer once he signs. Are you familiar with Ryan Carrethers? I have been pushing him for long time. 2013 4 sacks, 93 tackles and can be had at 5-1. 6'2 335 and very low body fat; good strength 32 benches and was a college wrestler.

nice work as usual ahead of the curve