cland
Rookie
I've been thinking about alternative ways to approach the draft (as opposed to upgrading our defense with DT, CB, S as our top needs,) and I've considered us going all-in on the running game. One of the Texans flaws last year, was the inability to close out games, hence so many last-second game-deciding FGs (that I'm getting too old to enjoy.)
If we're able to trade up into the last part of the first-round to get C JPJ (whose played dominantly in the zone offense at times.) Follow that up with the best zone-guard with our #2 second round pick, and then (this pains me to say it) a speedy running back in the 3rd.
Here's an (inaccurate as always) simulated mock draft: https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/user-mock-drafts/2024/user-mock-2687965
*Traded up for #28 with the Bills for the Texans #42 and a 2025 3rd. (it worked out, but I suppose we'll have to add some additional late round picks IRL.)
#28 - C Jackson Powers-Johnson
#59 - OG Christian Haynes (best zone-blocker)
#86 - RB Jaylen Wright (the Lightning part, of Thunder and Lightning.)
#123 - OT Christian Jones (cause he was there)
#127 - TE Tip Reiman (over-draft but wanted a a true road grader)
Adv: This adds a blue-chip piece, late in the draft, to our offensive line with a dominant C, and ensures healthy competition at G. Nothing provides better pass protection than a strong running game, and both JPJ and Haynes have been touted as having a nasty streak. Yes this overloads the offensive line... But it's better to be overloaded with the depth, than disabled by injury. Slowik's max protection schemes from early last year will no longer be needed, and it will sell CJ's PA routes more convincingly. This is an offense that can score points, put games away, and is playoff ready.
Disadv: The method here is that the Texan's played 4-2-5 (nickel) as much as anyone last year and has added in two ready-made pass-rushers, giving us 3 in total. Creating a high-point offense should force teams into a passing offense sooner rather than later. Sorry to the defense and Demeco, but you can have all the post-draft FA money. I've also discounted any improvement from prior drafts OL selections, and #123 should really be used on defense but I wasn't focusing on it. Hopefully Caserio can patch up the DL/secondary gaps, like he did with the OL last year. And yes, I've traded up to get a center, a good/great one, but still a center. And furthermore I've use a higher round pick on a RB, both of which are completely against my typical draft theory: as I've used high picks at low positional value.
If we're able to trade up into the last part of the first-round to get C JPJ (whose played dominantly in the zone offense at times.) Follow that up with the best zone-guard with our #2 second round pick, and then (this pains me to say it) a speedy running back in the 3rd.
Here's an (inaccurate as always) simulated mock draft: https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/user-mock-drafts/2024/user-mock-2687965
*Traded up for #28 with the Bills for the Texans #42 and a 2025 3rd. (it worked out, but I suppose we'll have to add some additional late round picks IRL.)
#28 - C Jackson Powers-Johnson
#59 - OG Christian Haynes (best zone-blocker)
#86 - RB Jaylen Wright (the Lightning part, of Thunder and Lightning.)
#123 - OT Christian Jones (cause he was there)
#127 - TE Tip Reiman (over-draft but wanted a a true road grader)
Adv: This adds a blue-chip piece, late in the draft, to our offensive line with a dominant C, and ensures healthy competition at G. Nothing provides better pass protection than a strong running game, and both JPJ and Haynes have been touted as having a nasty streak. Yes this overloads the offensive line... But it's better to be overloaded with the depth, than disabled by injury. Slowik's max protection schemes from early last year will no longer be needed, and it will sell CJ's PA routes more convincingly. This is an offense that can score points, put games away, and is playoff ready.
Disadv: The method here is that the Texan's played 4-2-5 (nickel) as much as anyone last year and has added in two ready-made pass-rushers, giving us 3 in total. Creating a high-point offense should force teams into a passing offense sooner rather than later. Sorry to the defense and Demeco, but you can have all the post-draft FA money. I've also discounted any improvement from prior drafts OL selections, and #123 should really be used on defense but I wasn't focusing on it. Hopefully Caserio can patch up the DL/secondary gaps, like he did with the OL last year. And yes, I've traded up to get a center, a good/great one, but still a center. And furthermore I've use a higher round pick on a RB, both of which are completely against my typical draft theory: as I've used high picks at low positional value.
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