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YoungTexanFan's VERY early Big Board

Here is my first big board of the draft season. Yes, it is early, not even the new year yet, but I released a big board about this time last year as well. I won't be doing an actual mock draft yet, but this took a lot of effort. There are some surprises, and you can quickly see who I like and who I don't like. Ask me questions about these guys, I feel pretty good about this initial big board.

Also, I'm aware that I suck at life and everything that goes with it since I left off Player X or Player Y that you just love, but I only ranked the top 80 players in my opinion...sooo get over it or make your own big board. :)

Also, THIS IS NOT A TEXANS big board. This is a BPA big board. This is where I feel their talent and production grades them out at this point in December.

Feel free to disect it and point out my mistakes, as I know you all will. I did this because I promised I would...and I feel bad that Beerlover is putting out mocks and I'm doing nothing for yall.


YoungTexanFan's Very Early Big Board
1. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
2. James Laurinitis, LB, Ohio St.
3. Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
4. Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
5. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
6. Chris Long, DE, Virginia
7. Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
8. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St.
9. Sam Baker, OT, USC
10. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
11. Rasheed Mendenhall, RB, Illinios
12. James Hardey, WR, Indiana
13. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio St.
14. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
15. Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
16. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
17. Aqib Talib, DB, Kansas
18. Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
19. Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
20. Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma St.
21. Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech
22. Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt
23. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
24. Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma
25. Keith Rivers, LB, USC
26. Dan Connor, LB, Penn St.
27. Steve Justice, C, Wake Forest
28. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
29. Fred Davis, TE, USC
29. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
30. Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky
31. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
32. Michael Oher, OG, Ole Miss
33. Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri
34. Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
35. Early Doucet, WR, LSU
36. Justin King, CB, Penn St.
37. Tony Hills, OT, Texas
38. Jake Long, OT, Michigan
39. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.
40. DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College
41. Maurice Purify, WR, Nebraska
42. Craig Steltz, S, LSU
43. Peyton Hills, FB, Arkansas
44. Barry Richardson, OT, Clemson
45. Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon St.
46. Brian Johnston DE, Garnder-Webb
47. Tommy Blake, DE, TCU
48. Vince Hall, MLB, Virginia Tech
49. Trae Williams, CB, South Florida
50. Xavier Adibi, OLB, Virginia Tech
51. Terrell Thomas, DB, USC
52. Matt Forte, RB, Tulane
53. Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia
54. Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
55. Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia
56. Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn
57. Ali Highsmith, LB, LSU
58. Erik Ainge, QB, Tennessee,
59. Red Bryant, DT, Texas AM
60. Phillip Wheeler, ILB, Georgia tech
61. Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas St.
62. Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego
63. Mike Hart, RB, Michigan
64. Demario Pressley, DT, NC St.
65. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
66. Brandon McAnderson, FB, Kansas
67. Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon
68. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
69. DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal
70. Josh Barrett, S, Arizona St.
71. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
72. Heath Benedict OL, Newberry
73. Mike Byrne, OT, Delaware
74. Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
75. Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii
76. Harry Douglas, WR, Louisville
77. Dwight Lowery, CB, San Jose St.
78. Jonathan Hefney, S, Tennessee
79. Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
80. Mike Dragosivich, P, North Dakota St.
 
Oh boy! Jake Long isn't in the top 80?

Maybe he could fall to us in the 5th round? steeeal.

EDIT: D'oh. Just notice, hes number 38.

Seriously, how many people have this guy out of their top ten player's rankings?
 
Thanks for the Big Board, the effort is appreciated… and don’t sweat it not everyone is a draft machine like Beerlover.

As for this being a BPA board not a Texans board, I would like to think they are one and the same. The only positions I feel we are set at is MLB, and even then there are those who would be happy to shift Demeco outside.

I have issue with McFadden being your number 1, skill position player especially RB are overrated. Take AD vs Joe Thomas, both have proven to be elite players but which one is harder to replace, I would say Joe Thomas because Joe Thomas makes runners look like AD.

Other than that I don’t know much about individual talents so I will find your board educational, thanks again for the effort.
 
It's your board do as you like .

I like James Laurinitis very productive player .

I agree that there's really not any great QB prospects .

I think some guys are more media hype than anything else and whoever makes a board has to try to figure out who's the real deal . Maybe that's why Jake Long slid .
 
I have issue with McFadden being your number 1, skill position player especially RB are overrated. Take AD vs Joe Thomas, both have proven to be elite players but which one is harder to replace, I would say Joe Thomas because Joe Thomas makes runners look like AD.
these overall rankings have nothing to do with value relative to their position, i imagine.
 
these overall rankings have nothing to do with value relative to their position, i imagine.

This is true. I would have drafted Joe Thomas in a heartbeat over Peterson last year, and still would knowing what they both did this year. However, I had Peterson ranked higher than Thomas based on talent alone. Peterson was my #2 prospect, just behind Calvin Johnson.
 
I think some guys are more media hype than anything else and whoever makes a board has to try to figure out who's the real deal . Maybe that's why Jake Long slid .

This is exactly why Long slid. He has so much hype going for him that he doesn't deserve. All I see in Long is a glorified Todd Wade.
 
I have bolded a few interesting things and added some notes. I'm bored, so I'm trying to get some discussion going.

YoungTexanFan's Very Early Big Board
1. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
2. James Laurinitis, LB, Ohio St. - Better than Hawk, and the closest thing to Urlacher in a while.
3. Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
4. Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
5. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU - How many people have him falling to #5? I would take Okoye over Dorsey on talent alone. I'm not that impressed.
6. Chris Long, DE, Virginia
7. Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
8. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St.
9. Sam Baker, OT, USC
10. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC - Higher than most have him right now
11. Rasheed Mendenhall, RB, Illinios
12. James Hardey, WR, Indiana True #1 type WR. Will jump up boards.
13. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio St.
14. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland - I love this kid's game. True #1 WR.
15. Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
16. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
17. Aqib Talib, DB, Kansas
18. Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
19. Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
20. Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma St. - Not many have him this high.
21. Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech
22. Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt - I'm warming up to him.
23. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
24. Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma
25. Keith Rivers, LB, USC
26. Dan Connor, LB, Penn St.
27. Steve Justice, C, Wake Forest
28. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon - Who else has him this low?
29. Fred Davis, TE, USC
29. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
30. Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky - Has really fallen IMO.
31. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
32. Michael Oher, OG, Ole Miss
33. Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri
34. Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
35. Early Doucet, WR, LSU
36. Justin King, CB, Penn St. - many people project him higher, I think he is overrated.
37. Tony Hills, OT, Texas - Good ZBS LT, but solid OT regardless.
38. Jake Long, OT, Michigan - Pure crap. I hated putting him this high.
39. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.
40. DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College
41. Maurice Purify, WR, Nebraska - So underrated. Good potential at the next level.
42. Craig Steltz, S, LSU
43. Peyton Hills, FB, Arkansas
44. Barry Richardson, OT, Clemson
45. Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon St.
46. Brian Johnston DE, Garnder-Webb Who? Yeah, check him out.
47. Tommy Blake, DE, TCU
48. Vince Hall, MLB, Virginia Tech
49. Trae Williams, CB, South Florida
50. Xavier Adibi, OLB, Virginia Tech
51. Terrell Thomas, DB, USC
52. Matt Forte, RB, Tulane
53. Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia
54. Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
55. Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia - What a falling kid.
56. Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn
57. Ali Highsmith, LB, LSU
58. Erik Ainge, QB, Tennessee,
59. Red Bryant, DT, Texas AM
60. Phillip Wheeler, ILB, Georgia tech
61. Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas St.
62. Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego
63. Mike Hart, RB, Michigan
64. Demario Pressley, DT, NC St.
65. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas - Sweed will never be anything in the NFL and is so overhyped. Trash.
66. Brandon McAnderson, FB, Kansas
67. Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon
68. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
69. DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal - I hate his game. I would take a healthy Mathis over him every day.
70. Josh Barrett, S, Arizona St.
71. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy - Will rise higher than this. Will end up being top 5 CB this year.
72. Heath Benedict OL, Newberry - One of my favorite linemen in the draft.
73. Mike Byrne, OT, Delaware
74. Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
75. Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii
76. Harry Douglas, WR, Louisville
77. Dwight Lowery, CB, San Jose St.
78. Jonathan Hefney, S, Tennessee
79. Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
80. Mike Dragosivich, P, North Dakota St.


I really wanted to add Duke Robinson, who would be in the 30's probably, but I don't think he is going to declare.
 
Some guys the Texans might like from YTF's board .

1. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
2. James Laurinitis, LB, Ohio St. - Better than Hawk, and the closest thing to Urlacher in a while.
3. Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
7. Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
8. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St.
9. Sam Baker, OT, USC
11. Rasheed Mendenhall, RB, Illinios
15. Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
17. Aqib Talib, DB, Kansas
19. Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
22. Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt - I'm warming up to him.
24. Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma
25. Keith Rivers, LB, USC
26. Dan Connor, LB, Penn St.
27. Steve Justice, C, Wake Forest
28. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon - Who else has him this low?
29. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
32. Michael Oher, OG, Ole Miss
34. Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
36. Justin King, CB, Penn St. - many people project him higher, I think he is overrated.
37. Tony Hills, OT, Texas - Good ZBS LT, but solid OT regardless.
38. Jake Long, OT, Michigan - Pure crap. I hated putting him this high.
39. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.
40. DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College
42. Craig Steltz, S, LSU
43. Peyton Hills, FB, Arkansas
44. Barry Richardson, OT, Clemson
45. Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon St.
47. Tommy Blake, DE, TCU
48. Vince Hall, MLB, Virginia Tech
49. Trae Williams, CB, South Florida
50. Xavier Adibi, OLB, Virginia Tech
51. Terrell Thomas, DB, USC
52. Matt Forte, RB, Tulane
53. Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia

I'm for the following .

1st . LT
3rd . CB/RB
4th . RB/CB
5th . BPA
6th . BPA
7th . BPA
 
If the Laurinitis kid is there, and he is that good, do you really think the Texans take him??

As for the speed rusher, you don't have to sell that one to me, I might be one of the only guys who would not complain about going DL yet again.

Good teams need dominant lines.
 
What about this guy ?

Shawn Crable LB, #2
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 243 Hometown: Massillon, Oh

As far as a guy who can drop down on passing downs or play OLB .
 
Jake Long: overrated, but nowhere near as long as some are labeling. should be a very good RT in the NFL.
 
5. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU - How many people have him falling to #5? I would take Okoye over Dorsey on talent alone. I'm not that impressed.

The guy is very good playing hurt. When he is not hurt, he is exceptional.
He won't get out of the top five. You can have bench load of stiffs at Dt. But if you got one guy like Okoye or Dorsey bringing heat and mayhem from the middlle... you pay for that. Guy playing hurt didn't drop Dorsey on anyones board.


65. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas - Sweed will never be anything in the NFL and is so overhyped. Trash.

I think your ranking is spot on. I also believe he is very simular to Bowe last year and Monk this year. There should be a lot of Wrs on the board. That'll push the group as whole down. Vincent gets his play maker(s) this year. Wr's should be plentiful and cheap.
Sweed needs to learn just as Bowe did this season. There is no doubt the Texas offense suffered with the loss of Sweed this season. Might be coincidence.
 
Jake Long: overrated, but nowhere near as long as some are labeling. should be a very good RT in the NFL.

I don't know about very good, but he will be a solid RT. However, he will be drafted and payed as a LT initially, and that will not work out. I will laugh.
 
The guy is very good playing hurt. When he is not hurt, he is exceptional.
He won't get out of the top five. You can have bench load of stiffs at Dt. But if you got one guy like Okoye or Dorsey bringing heat and mayhem from the middlle... you pay for that. Guy playing hurt didn't drop Dorsey on anyones board.


I think Dorsey is a great DT prospect, but he is a different animal than Okoye. Dorsey is so strong at the POA, he doesn't lose ground. He isn't as explosive as Okoye or a young Sapp. Dorsey also does not have the ability to get after the passer like a a DT ranked that highly. People are comparing him to a young Sapp? No. He will be a pretty good DT, don't get me wrong, but not in the same mold as Sapp. Dorsey is a great run stuffer and a guy that can help step up someone elses play. I would still take Okoye though. Okoye is 20, Dorsey is 22, and Okoye is better than Dorsey now, with much more upside. Both will be very good DT's, but Okoye, playing next to Mario, will be a bigger impact and better player.
 
Same thing- just sorted by position

# Quarterbacks Pos College
16 Brian Brohm QB Louisville
23 Matt Ryan QB Boston College
30 Andre Woodson QB Kentucky
58 Erik Ainge QB Tennessee
62 Josh Johnson QB San Diego
67 Dennis Dixon QB Oregon
75 Colt Brennan QB Hawaii
# Running Backs Pos College
1 Darren McFadden RB Arkansas
11 Rasheed Mendenhall RB Illinios
15 Felix Jones RB Arkansas
28 Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon
43 Peyton Hills FB Arkansas
52 Matt Forte RB Tulane
53 Owen Schmitt FB West Virginia
55 Steve Slaton RB West Virginia
63 Mike Hart RB Michigan
66 Brandon McAnderson FB Kansas
# Wide Receivers Pos College
12 James Hardey WR Indiana
14 Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland
18 Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma
20 Adarius Bowman WR Oklahoma St
35 Early Doucet WR LSU
41 Maurice Purify WR Nebraska
61 Jordy Nelson WR Kansas St
65 Limas Sweed WR Texas
69 DeSean Jackson WR Cal
76 Harry Douglas WR Louisville
# Tight Ends Pos College
29 Fred Davis TE USC
33 Martin Rucker TE Missouri
# Offensive Line Pos College
3 Ryan Clady OT Boise St
9 Sam Baker OT USC
22 Jeff Otah OT Pitt
27 Steve Justice OC Wake Forest
32 Michael Oher OG Ole Miss
34 Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College
37 Tony Hills OT Texas
38 Jake Long OT Michigan
44 Barry Richardson OT Clemson
45 Roy Schuening OG Oregon St
68 Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
72 Heath Benedict OL Newberry
73 Mike Byrne OT Delaware
# Defensive Line Pos College
4 Calais Campbell DE Miami
5 Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
6 Chris Long DE Virginia
10 Sedrick Ellis DT USC
13 Vernon Gholston DE Ohio St
21 Chris Ellis DE Virginia Tech
31 Lawrence Jackson DE USC
46 Brian Johnston DE Garnder-Webb
47 Tommy Blake DE TCU
54 Derrick Harvey DE Florida
56 Quentin Groves DE Auburn
59 Red Bryant DT Texas AM
64 Demario Pressley DT NC St
74 Dre Moore DT Maryland
# Linebackers Pos College
2 James Laurinitis LB Ohio St
25 Keith Rivers LB USC
26 Dan Connor LB Penn St
48 Vince Hall LB Virginia Tech
50 Xavier Adibi LB Virginia Tech
57 Ali Highsmith LB LSU
60 Phillip Wheeler LB Georgia tech
# Defensive Backs Pos College
7 Kenny Phillips S Miami
8 Malcolm Jenkins CB Ohio St
17 Aqib Talib DB Kansas
19 Antoine Cason CB Arizona
24 Reggie Smith DB Oklahoma
29 Mike Jenkins CB South Florida
36 Justin King CB Penn St
39 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee St
40 DeJuan Tribble CB Boston College
42 Craig Steltz S LSU
49 Trae Williams CB South Florida
51 Terrell Thomas DB USC
70 Josh Barrett S Arizona St
71 Leodis McKelvin CB Troy
77 Dwight Lowery CB San Jose St
78 Jonathan Hefney S Tennessee
79 Tracy Porter CB Indiana
# Special Teams Pos College
80 Mike Dragosivich P North Dakota St
 
Campbell is ranked higher than most boards I've seen. Like Williams, he's accussed of taking plays off. But the guy is a freak. I would have no complaints if our line consisted of Williams, Johnson, Okoye, and Campbell (or Gholston).
 
Campbell is ranked higher than most boards I've seen. Like Williams, he's accussed of taking plays off. But the guy is a freak. I would have no complaints if our line consisted of Williams, Johnson, Okoye, and Campbell (or Gholston).

Campbell is thought to be a better pure pass rusher in some draft circles I've talked with already. He is a top 10 pick according most most, and I think that once he tests and people see his frame and ability to continue to fill out, he will rise up the boards. I say he will go higher than Gholston.
 
I am suprised by how you graded the fullbacks. Hillis over Schmitt. Scchmitt is a better blocker, in my opinion, and can do just about the same with the ball. And, while I dont know a lot about McAnderson (I just looked at his stats, impressive), I think that Furman's Jerome Felton is a top 3 FB in the draft. The only question is his blocking.
 
I am suprised by how you graded the fullbacks. Hillis over Schmitt. Scchmitt is a better blocker, in my opinion, and can do just about the same with the ball. And, while I dont know a lot about McAnderson (I just looked at his stats, impressive), I think that Furman's Jerome Felton is a top 3 FB in the draft. The only question is his blocking.

I ranked McAnderson like I did because he can run the ball better than any other FB in the draft. He is a better RB than Dayne, but a great blocker and will transition to FB in the NFL. I love Scchmitt, don't get me wrong, but I think Hillis is more versitle.
 
Best player in this years draft will be A.Cason from AR. He will be a future pro bowler. Hopefully he will be there when the texans are picking. We need another corner more than anyother position.
 
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