After a couple weeks of deliberation and countless messages, we have finally hammered out a mock for the 2012 draft. Hopefully you all like it, and give us your thoughts!
Round 1: Washington NT Alameda Ta’amu, 6’3” 330 lbs
Texans add a big to interior helping plug middle against the run & collapse the pocket from the inside. We felt Ta'Amu was the top senior prospect available in this draft for the nose tackle position mid-late first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Has excellent quickness, feet & balance to redirect & transfer weight with mass/strength to demand double teams. Yet he is more of a one gap penetrator so he fits Wade Phillips system. Good football instincts, but needs to locate the ball quicker, be more consistent & violent with his hands to stack & shed. If he continues to learn, smart kid/student, he will become a great nose tackle for the Houston Texans.
Round 2: Baylor WR Kendall Wright, 5’11” 190 lbs
Kendall was the school's all-time leading receiver before his senior year even began & is a pure, athletic #2 possession WR that would fit in nicely opposite Andre Johnson. Excellent hands, can make adjustment to the ball, runs crisp routes, explosive speed (4.42, with reports as low as 4.32) which creates separation as well deep routes stretching the field. Doesn't hurt that he has the build of a RB (which should really aid his durability in the NFL) vertical leaping ability (reported 42") & timing to snag high throws @ apex of flight. Again this is a mid-late 2nd rd. pick (don't know yet what Texans record of draft slot will be) another Senior with experience catching the ball from RG3 a very strong arm thrower & future first round QB pick.
Round 3: Vanderbilt CB Casey Hayward, 5’11” 190 lbs
Hayward has been a real eye-opener this season, but that in no way makes him a one year wonder. Hayward has been a solid starter since his sophomore year, and has compiled 12 picks thus far in his career. He is more than just a ball hawk, however. Hayward is a willing tackler as well, and does not take unnecessary gambles in order to make plays on the ball. We see Hayward as being a future number 2, allowing Harris, Carmichael and KJ to round out the depth chart next year.
Round 4: Kentucky SS/FS/CB Winston Guy, 6’1” 215 lbs
Prior to 2011 coach created "hybrid" saftey/linebacker role to showcase Guy's speed and ability to get to the ball. After 6 games he has 67 Tackles, 1 sack & 2 INTs. 2010: 105 tackles, 2 breakups & 3 INTs so he is consistent. He has played all positions listed, hard hitter with good coverage skills and plays well against the run. Dream player for Phillips allowing a roster CB and S to be cut. I've watched Guy for 2 years & he is real deal. Moving up charts from 6th to 4th round.
Round 5: Baylor OC/RG Philip Blake, 6’3” 320 lbs
Snaps to QB Robert Griffin 3 Heisman Candidate. Blake excells in both passing and running game with good anchor. Hometown Toronto and he played for Tyler, TX Jr. College prior to Baylor. In 2009 as a sophomore started all 12 G as RT. 2010 he replaced Center JD Walton 3rd round Denver & started all 13 games. nfldraftscout.com ranks him 6th best center in nation and can play OG as well as RT. *Interesting note: in 2010 he had 82 knockdowns. Super strong with good feet and balance.
Round 6: Arkansas DE Jake Bequette, 6’5” 270 lbs
Bequette is everything you want in a player- athletic, hardworking, and loyal to both his teammates and his team. Bequette shows perfect size for a 3-4 DE, and possess the required strength and above average and agility for the position. He has shown himself to be an explosive player, entering this season with 13.5 sacks, 21 TFLs and 19 QB hurries. This year Bequette has been hampered by a hamstring injury, but is expected to return to full health in the next week or so. Bequette would sit behind Smith and Watt for a couple years, but I truly believe that Bequette could be a starter down the line.
Round 7: Traded for Mason
EDIT- Mods, please correct the title. I accidentally added a g to my name.
Round 1: Washington NT Alameda Ta’amu, 6’3” 330 lbs
Texans add a big to interior helping plug middle against the run & collapse the pocket from the inside. We felt Ta'Amu was the top senior prospect available in this draft for the nose tackle position mid-late first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Has excellent quickness, feet & balance to redirect & transfer weight with mass/strength to demand double teams. Yet he is more of a one gap penetrator so he fits Wade Phillips system. Good football instincts, but needs to locate the ball quicker, be more consistent & violent with his hands to stack & shed. If he continues to learn, smart kid/student, he will become a great nose tackle for the Houston Texans.
Round 2: Baylor WR Kendall Wright, 5’11” 190 lbs
Kendall was the school's all-time leading receiver before his senior year even began & is a pure, athletic #2 possession WR that would fit in nicely opposite Andre Johnson. Excellent hands, can make adjustment to the ball, runs crisp routes, explosive speed (4.42, with reports as low as 4.32) which creates separation as well deep routes stretching the field. Doesn't hurt that he has the build of a RB (which should really aid his durability in the NFL) vertical leaping ability (reported 42") & timing to snag high throws @ apex of flight. Again this is a mid-late 2nd rd. pick (don't know yet what Texans record of draft slot will be) another Senior with experience catching the ball from RG3 a very strong arm thrower & future first round QB pick.
Round 3: Vanderbilt CB Casey Hayward, 5’11” 190 lbs
Hayward has been a real eye-opener this season, but that in no way makes him a one year wonder. Hayward has been a solid starter since his sophomore year, and has compiled 12 picks thus far in his career. He is more than just a ball hawk, however. Hayward is a willing tackler as well, and does not take unnecessary gambles in order to make plays on the ball. We see Hayward as being a future number 2, allowing Harris, Carmichael and KJ to round out the depth chart next year.
Round 4: Kentucky SS/FS/CB Winston Guy, 6’1” 215 lbs
Prior to 2011 coach created "hybrid" saftey/linebacker role to showcase Guy's speed and ability to get to the ball. After 6 games he has 67 Tackles, 1 sack & 2 INTs. 2010: 105 tackles, 2 breakups & 3 INTs so he is consistent. He has played all positions listed, hard hitter with good coverage skills and plays well against the run. Dream player for Phillips allowing a roster CB and S to be cut. I've watched Guy for 2 years & he is real deal. Moving up charts from 6th to 4th round.
Round 5: Baylor OC/RG Philip Blake, 6’3” 320 lbs
Snaps to QB Robert Griffin 3 Heisman Candidate. Blake excells in both passing and running game with good anchor. Hometown Toronto and he played for Tyler, TX Jr. College prior to Baylor. In 2009 as a sophomore started all 12 G as RT. 2010 he replaced Center JD Walton 3rd round Denver & started all 13 games. nfldraftscout.com ranks him 6th best center in nation and can play OG as well as RT. *Interesting note: in 2010 he had 82 knockdowns. Super strong with good feet and balance.
Round 6: Arkansas DE Jake Bequette, 6’5” 270 lbs
Bequette is everything you want in a player- athletic, hardworking, and loyal to both his teammates and his team. Bequette shows perfect size for a 3-4 DE, and possess the required strength and above average and agility for the position. He has shown himself to be an explosive player, entering this season with 13.5 sacks, 21 TFLs and 19 QB hurries. This year Bequette has been hampered by a hamstring injury, but is expected to return to full health in the next week or so. Bequette would sit behind Smith and Watt for a couple years, but I truly believe that Bequette could be a starter down the line.
Round 7: Traded for Mason
EDIT- Mods, please correct the title. I accidentally added a g to my name.