MMQB -- Projecting the NFL Draft: AFC South

[Playoffs]

MMQB -- Projecting the NFL Draft: AFC South

TEXANS’ PROBLEMS

By Andy Benoit

Head coach Bill O’Brien has acknowledged that his team is in the market for a quarterback. This suggests O’Brien is not titillated with Ryan Mallett, whom he coached in New England.

Houston’s offense is really just one quarterback away. Up front, the line is under 30 at every position except center, where Chris Myers could be cut to save $6 million in cap space. And there’s depth, with interior blockers Ben Jones and Xavier Su’a-Filo, the 33rd overall pick of last year’s draft, waiting in the wings. Aside from right tackle (the so-so Derek Newton is a free agent) there’s nothing to address. Same goes for wide receiver, unless GM Rick Smith stumbles across an eventual replacement for Andre Johnson (and running mate for 2013 first-rounder DeAndre Hopkins).

Defensively, it’s a different story. Five of last year’s starters are free agents: nose tackle Ryan Pickett, outside ’backer Brooks Reed, inside ’backer Akeem Dent, cornerback Kareem Jackson and free safety Kendrick Lewis, who was surprisingly adept in coverage (especially Quarters) as a newcomer last year and is worth re-signing. The nice part is, with several holes to fill but none of them dire, Smith can truly take the best players available.

TEXANS’ SOLUTIONS

By Andy Staples

Bill O’Brien probably can get his quarterback at No. 51 in either UCLA’s Brett Hundley or Baylor’s Bryce Petty. Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson might intrigue O’Brien, but Grayson had to sit out combine workouts with a hamstring injury. His Pro Day could help determine his draft position.

The Texans can use No. 16 to take the best player on the board. Louisville receiver DeVante Parker is better than he showed in the six games he played last season after returning from a broken foot, and he was pretty good in those six games. Even though he still wasn’t quite 100 percent, Parker averaged 142.5 receiving yards a game and 19.9 yards a catch. His combine numbers (4.45-second 40, 36.5-inch vertical jump) suggest he is healthy now. If not Parker, the Texans might want 320-pound Malcom Brown (from nearby Brenham, Texas) to man the middle of the defensive line.

Further down the line, the Texans should be able to find a quality center. Oregon’s Hroniss Grasu was a steadying force on the Ducks’ line and could be available when the Texans select at No. 82. If they want to fill other needs, they probably could pick up Florida’s Max Garcia in a later round...

COLTS’ PROBLEMS
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COLTS’ SOLUTIONS
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JAGUARS’ PROBLEMS
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JAGUARS’ SOLUTIONS
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TITANS’ PROBLEMS
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TITANS’ SOLUTIONS
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[mussop]

MMQB -- Projecting the NFL Draft: AFC South

Holy crap I think this guy has been reading my notes. He nailed it. Parker or Brown in the first. Then the opposite in the second. Say Phillips or the guy from Iowa who's name escapes me or the best WR available. Replace Newton with a FA like Doug Free. Cut Myers and move over Jones and draft Hroniss Grasu later in the draft as the future C.

Use all the money saved by cutting Myers and Johnson to resign Jackson and Lewis and to fill other holes with OB style players. Continue the QB search. Pretty good plan IMO.

 

[mussop]

Man think what the titans defense will look like if they draft Williams and sign sue.

The colts offense looks like if they sign AJ and Murray.

 

[JB]

Holy crap I think this guy has been reading my notes. He nailed it. Parker or Brown in the first. Then the opposite in the second. Say Phillips or the guy from Iowa who's name escapes me or the best WR available. Replace Newton with a FA like Doug Free. Cut Myers and move over Jones and draft Hroniss Grasu later in the draft as the future C.

Use all the money saved by cutting Myers and Johnson to resign Jackson and Lewis and to fill other holes with OB style players. Continue the QB search. Pretty good plan IMO.

I wouldn't have a problem with this except for the whole move Jones to center thing. I don't think he's good enough. Maybe a starting center in the draft? Or retain Myers for another year?

 

[mussop]

I wouldn't have a problem with this except for the whole move Jones to center thing. I don't think he's good enough. Maybe a starting center in the draft? Or retain Myers for another year?

I like Myers but he is 33 and this is his last year if his current contract. He's due 8 million dollars. We save 6 million by cutting him. I'm fine if he wants to redo his contract for 3 years at around 4 million a year. No way would I pay him 8 million this year.

Hell we probably could go out and get onenof the top young FA centers available for around 3 to 4 million a year for the next 3 or 4 years.

Like I said the C from Oregon looks really good to me. I wouldn't have a problem drafting him and starting Jones until hr can take over.

 

[JB]

I like Myers but he is 33 and this is his last year if his current contract. He's due 8 million dollars. We save 6 million by cutting him. I'm fine if he wants to redo his contract for 3 years at around 4 million a year. No way would I pay him 8 million this year.

Hell we probably could go out and get onenof the top young FA centers available for around 3 to 4 million a year for the next 3 or 4 years.

Like I said the C from Oregon looks really good to me. I wouldn't have a problem drafting him and starting Jones until hr can take over.

I wouldn't have a problem with releasing Myers and getting a vet fa for a year or two until the draft pick is ready. I just don't like Jones

 

[badboy]

This is last contract year for both Myers and Jones; better do something about center or we will be looking at a rookie center in 2016. I'm hoping another year behind Myers allows Ferentz to step in. I think he is very similar to Myers in size and being a smart technician.

 

[mussop]

Cut Myers and sign Wisnuski (sp) from raiders for half the money.