Death to Google Ads! Texans Talk Tip Jar! 🍺😎👍
Thanks for your support!

Marcus Spears, Rodrique Wright, and Anttaj Hawthorne

Grid

All Pro
So, we need to improve our pass rush, but we already seem to have our guys at OLB (Peek, Wong, and Babin).. so then.. how can we improve our pass rush? with a more dominant line. A 3-4 line is supposed to tie up multiple blockers in order to free up those OLBs.. that isnt happening often enough, so im thinking that a playmaker on the line will be a big priority with us.

I know ILB is also a big one, but a new ILB isnt gonna help our pass rush as much.

Anywho.. the way I see it.. there are 3 guys that are 1st round quality 3-4 linemen.. Marcus Spears, Rodrique Wright, and Anttaj Hawthorne. Chances are Hawthorne will not be available at our pick.. but if he is I think we would jump on him.. of the other two, either one could be available to us, and of the two id take Wright, then Spears.. though both would be great picks I think.
 
i don't know if perkins will be worth a third round pick, i see him more towards the forth or fifth because of his height and lack of national spotlight on him instead of his team. who knows, i could be wrong. :hmmm:
 
The following lineman are 1st round quality picks

Antaaj Hawthorne
Marcus Spears
Shaun Cody
Travis Johnson
Dan Cody
Erasmus James
David Pollack
Jovan Haye

NOTE: I didn't add Mathias Kiwanuka and Rod Wright because neither have declared.

The way I see it, Only Spears, Johnson and Hawthorne would fit in well with a 3-4 defense.

If it comes down to those 3, expect Spears to get the nod. If it comes down to Spears and Thomas Davis, safety from Georgia, expect the Texans to go with him as a steal.
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
slim pickings for DT's in this years draft, Marcus Spears being the best package of character, experience, leadership, size, speed and athleticism who might still be available when the Texans select. I could see the Texans try & trade up to around the 10 spot if Haloti Ngata declares his intention to enter this years draft (Payne is due a big FA contract) but seems unlikely at this point the Texans use their first round pick on a lineman, defensive or offensive (most of those are also staying in school).

I think it boils down to either a linebacker, safety, CB or outside chance of a RB if one of the big names fall. IMO :twocents:
 
A good friend of mine that is one of the most reliable people in the draftnik business talked to "a ceirtain team" wink wink about the top 5 needs for the team

In Order:

Strong Safety-If T.Davis is there, they take him
Defensive End assuming Payne doesn't come back
Left Guard- Elton Brown or David Baas possibilities
2nd wide receiver-need another playmaker to get the offense rolling
Middle Linebacker- Foreman just isn't getting props
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
all valid needs I was only refering to the Texans 1st round pick, right now I'm guessing pick #17. if the Texans fill one of those needs excluding DT I'm sure they are evaulating the NT crop, one name that might be worth mentioning is Ronald Fields Mississippi St, 6-2 somewhere over 300 lbs could be one of the two 3rd round selections.

Davis may still declare for the draft once he is advised of how highly his draft status is & if he does will not last until the Texans pick, the Lions would like to have him very much. But there are other safetys, what do you think of Ernest Shazor from Michigan? He is very physical, loves to hit & would add alot of toughness to the db's, plus he is very quick as a matter of fact quicker than Davis. This is one thing that seems very effective in the NFL, speed kills :thud:
 
Yeah Fields is def. moving up many teams draft boards. Are you gonna be at the tailgate sunday? If so, I'll be willing to talk football with you. I know a good amount of NFL but I know more about the draft. Let me know
 
As far as Shazor goes, I'm gonna wait until tommorow to get more of a feel for him. I'll let you know sunday. Right now he's probably a solid 3rd round pick if he leaves. Remember, he's only a junior as well. A bad performance tommorow could decide his future.
 

Grid

All Pro
I dont really understand why SS is such a strong need. Glen Earl seemed to be playing very solid. If it is for run stopping, then I think a good Dlineman would have more impact than another SS.

Walker is not doing so well.. Payne is great, but old.. both positions could use a talented young player. Honestly Robaire Smith is the only player on our Dline who I think is set in stone. Payne is great, and could probably be our DT for another season or two.. or at least until next year when we can get Ngata (who i agree, if he declares would be a GREAT grab) but we need someone to take the starting spot over Walker. Walker would be fine as a backup, someone we could throw in to spell others, but I dont think he is good enough to be the starter anymore.. at least not judging by his play this year.
 

AcresHomesTexan

No Longer Arlington: Escaped From Jerry's World
Staff member
Grid said:
I dont really understand why SS is such a strong need. Glen Earl seemed to be playing very solid. If it is for run stopping, then I think a good Dlineman would have more impact than another SS.

Walker is not doing so well.. Payne is great, but old.. both positions could use a talented young player. Honestly Robaire Smith is the only player on our Dline who I think is set in stone. Payne is great, and could probably be our DT for another season or two.. or at least until next year when we can get Ngata (who i agree, if he declares would be a GREAT grab) but we need someone to take the starting spot over Walker. Walker would be fine as a backup, someone we could throw in to spell others, but I dont think he is good enough to be the starter anymore.. at least not judging by his play this year.
the Safety thing has gotten around the draftsperts sites and just won't go away despite the fact the safety play has improved as the year went on. A good half of those sites have the Texans taking a safety in the 1st 2 rounds and in many cases have the team reaching to do so.
 

AcresHomesTexan

No Longer Arlington: Escaped From Jerry's World
Staff member
texansfan88 said:
A good friend of mine that is one of the most reliable people in the draftnik business talked to "a ceirtain team" wink wink about the top 5 needs for the team

In Order:

Strong Safety-If T.Davis is there, they take him
Defensive End assuming Payne doesn't come back
Left Guard- Elton Brown or David Baas possibilities
2nd wide receiver-need another playmaker to get the offense rolling
Middle Linebacker- Foreman just isn't getting props
Look like he got bad info. My friends "my eyes" see the following

SS- A rookie starting who has shown skills in the running and a physical hitter...maybe Davis is good enough to take as BPA, but don't see Safety as a 1st level need.

DE-Yeah we need one even if payne stays, BTW payne plays NT and none of the Texans bacj-up DLman are signed. is this guy assuming a move over by a D-lineman

LG-Pitts has been the most consistent lineman on the team...maybe RG

2nd WR-WR is the best unit on the team, another big play WR seems like a "nice idea" over a top 5 need.

ILB-In fact needs to move up the chart as there is not a significant young player at the position Sharper starting to show some age and Foreman is mediocore. BTW , "isn't getting his props" usually means someone is not get credit for how well someone is playing so I don't understand the tag line with him.
 

Mistril48

Rookie
Grid said:
... I think a good Dlineman would have more impact than another SS. Walker is not doing so well ... Payne is great, but old ... Robaire Smith is the only player on our Dline who I think is set in stone...
I agree about S/S, with Glen Earl, Ramon Walker and Eric Brown

On D-line, I think that Walker and Payne (if retained) have a chance to be better next year, because of injuries. I don't think they are too old (as 3-4 D-linemen) on a team making a run for the playoffs.

I think the Texans actually have two Defensive lines. One is a 3-4, with 3 D-linemen who are in essense 2-gap D-tackles. The other is a 4 man D-line that they use frequently on passing downs (nickle package). This second D-line has pass rush ends (Babin, Wong, Peek) and two conventional D-tackles. Prior to his injury, Walker was ideally suited as a D-tackle on this nickle d-line. I think the upgade we need on d-line (assuming Payne is back) is:

a) a D-tackle (1 gap penetrator) for the nickle d-line, to play with Walker; and

b) some developmental players, to develop as 2-gapers.
 
The thing about these draft sites is that most talk to scouts from each team, and the scouts are on the road 24/7 usually and don't get to watch the game. They get told where to go and watch film on a kid. The scout that told him all of this probably gets told to go and watch safeties.

Whether he was smoke screening stuff or not to me, his consistency and accuracy has spoken for itself over the last 6 seasons.
 

TexansCanes

Rookie
i keep seeing darnell bing's name everywhere. the problem with that is that i don't think he will leave. also he will be a first rounder when he does, so why would he leave to be a mid second rounder?
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
some of you still don't get it & that is this- the position a NFL prospect plays in college does not translate into the same position in the NFL for anyone you had the opportunity to watch the Georgia game you saw three NFL defensive prospects. Two of which could switch positions once drafted depending upon that teams needs & scheme. If the Texans want to groom a ILB that plays ILB in College http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/playerprofiles/ilb/odellthurman.html would be a good selection with the 2nd round pick. Now for Pollack & Davis (one plays DE the other SS) both could become outstanding OLB in a 3-4. Theres the beauty, the fact the Texans are set with Babin @ one OLB really creates the opportunity for a pair of pass rushing, QB sacking OLB's. The #1 OLB also plays DE in College of course I'm talking about http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/playerprofiles/de/mathiaskiwanuka.html (if he declares) he would be worth the price of trading up as posted on earlier thread Texans #1 need.
 

wags

Veteran
After watching the Georgia game, I wouldn't want Antaaj Hawthorne. He made zero plays. I have watched a few Wisconsin games this year and have never been impressed by him. If he goes in the first round I will be shocked. :shocked
 

fresno8

Waterboy
I'm w/ you on this one Vinny. It's good that we improved this year because a top 5 or 10 pick would have cost a good bit of money and wouldn't be anywhere near the calibur of Dave/AJ/Dunta. I just hope we get solid conrtibuters in rnd's 1&2 who can make a difference next year and add some depth and youth in the later rounds and hope for a steal somewhere a long the way.
 

Lucky

Ride, Captain, Ride!
Staff member
This is the early combine invite list.

As you can see, the NFL thinks little of the incoming class of DTs, LBs, & interior offensive linemen due to the low number of combine invites at those positions. A large infusion of underclassmen to this draft class would be much appreciated.
 

BuffSoldier

Veteran
Our run defense is doing well for itself right now, not giving up too many yards to be concerned about(13th in rushing yards per game and 1st in rushing TDs). So the pass defense and pass rush has to be the thing we are concerned with. I think that we could use a good D-lineman to free up more room for our OLBs and I think that if Rod Wright decides to declare for the draft that he would be our best choice. That being said I still dont think the Texans would pass on a top tier safety if he fell that far.
 

TexansCanes

Rookie
i know this has nothing to do with the topic of this thread, but since it seems to be the hot one at the moment i will use it to ask a question. why hasn't anyone said anything about craphonso (how every you spell it) thorpe. he hasn't had that great of a season, especially compared to last year, he was a biletnikoff finalist last year. part of the reason is because of his injury, broke his leg against ncst last year. but i think he could be an asset if he slipped in the draft. he is tall and is very fast, i think he sprinted at fsu also. maybe he is damaged goods and we don't want to risk it, look at bennie, but i was just throwing out a name.
 

Grid

All Pro
hey if we give him a physical and he looks good.. it could definatly be a great pickup in the late rounds.

our guys seem to be pretty smart about that kind of thing.. we got Glen Earl late in the draft cause of his injury. We also got Hollings because of his.. and he DID recover from his college injury.. we just didnt know he was made of glass.

Joppru, if im not mistaken, did not injure himself till he got in training camp here.
 

TexansCanes

Rookie
Joppru, if im not mistaken, did not injure himself till he got in training camp here.
yeah he didn't hurt himself till training camp. i just mentioned it to make a point. im sure if we could, we would probably take back that pick and we might not want to gamble on thorpe if his injury is a problem.
 

Grid

All Pro
I dunno.. its still to early to say with Joppru. Yah, he hasnt done anything for us so far :).. but if he DOES make a full recovering and plays next season, we may be praising Casserly and company for another great pick.
 

wags

Veteran
TexansCanes said:
i know this has nothing to do with the topic of this thread, but since it seems to be the hot one at the moment i will use it to ask a question. why hasn't anyone said anything about craphonso (how every you spell it) thorpe. he hasn't had that great of a season, especially compared to last year, he was a biletnikoff finalist last year. part of the reason is because of his injury, broke his leg against ncst last year. but i think he could be an asset if he slipped in the draft. he is tall and is very fast, i think he sprinted at fsu also. maybe he is damaged goods and we don't want to risk it, look at bennie, but i was just throwing out a name.
He hasn't just broken one leg, he's broken them both. JMO, but I think this guy is way overrated. Who wants a guy who has two broken legs and weighs 175?

The WR crop on whole looks really weak this year.
 

Number19

Hall of Fame
Grid said:
... the way I see it, there are 3 guys that are 1st round quality 3-4 linemen.. Marcus Spears, Rodrique Wright, and Anttaj Hawthorne...
A lot of people like Marcus Spears, but at 297#, he's about 20 lbs light. in the NFL, I would be concerned with his ability to anchor against the run and also his ability to tie up multiple blockers.
 

Vinny

shiny happy fan
Spears is probably an ideal end really. You don't have to be 320 to be effective on the line in the 3-4. Just not 275.
 

Number19

Hall of Fame
Vinny said:
Spears is probably an ideal end really. You don't have to be 320 to be effective on the line in the 3-4. Just not 275.
Part of my opinion is based on my observation that he was mostly ineffective against Iowa on Saturday. The announcers said he was playing hurt, but my impression is that he is not such a sure thing as to be worth the #13 pick.
 

texasguy346

Mod Squad
I think he'll be the best of the LSU DLinemen that won the Sugar Bowl. Marquise Hill plays for NE and Chad Lavalais plays for the Falcons. Everything that I've seen of him suggests that he'll be a good fit for this team, but then again I'm nowhere near being a scout.
 

Lucky

Ride, Captain, Ride!
Staff member
Number19 said:
A lot of people like Marcus Spears, but at 297#, he's about 20 lbs light...
You have to remember that Spears is only 21. He's likely to add muscle mass as he gets older and goes through a NFL training program. Spears had a great bowl game last year, so-so this year. Can a guy become consistant once he gets to the NFL is the question all scouts & GMs ask.
 

TexansCanes

Rookie
Part of my opinion is based on my observation that he was mostly ineffective against Iowa on Saturday. The announcers said he was playing hurt, but my impression is that he is not such a sure thing as to be worth the #13 pick.
you're right he was playing hurt, a torn bicep, i have never had but the announcers said that it hurts pretty bad. i will say that i think he is worth the #13. he didn't play that great at the begining of the season but as the season wore on he returned to his old form. as a DE he is very good against the run and is quick off the ball. with his size he will fit in very well at the end in 3-4.
 
Top