2006 draft prospects to watch

[beerlover]

College Football is almost upon us once again so its time to begin the process evaluating NFL talent. Any information gathered that could be useful, informative or just enjoyable to the masses is welcome here to try and educate & follow future NFL stars/Texans.

It will be interesting to see the competition unfold on the Texans roster for playing time. this seems to be a primary factor in the way Casserly values his picks based primarily BPA @ Need position. in this area due to unfortunate events of injurys to the BJ the TE positon would seem the most obvious. after that the D-Line is still aging and often injured as well as upgrades needed along the O-Line. the RB situation is solidifying by a capable group but Domanick has over achieved & Morency seems more the same. the #2 WR position is still up for grabs with Gafney shelved, Bradford resigned along with Armstrong & rookie Mathis all competing for playing time.

Areas that seem settled and positioned for success in the years to come are the secondary & linebacking players. Barring injury David Carr will continue to be the franchise and Ragone looks to be a capable back-up. so based upon need & talent in this upcoming College season the Texans should be targeting

• TE- Mercedes Lewis, 6-5, 250, UCLA
  
• NT/DT- Haloti, Ngata, 6-5, 345, Oregon/Rodrique Wright, 6-5, 320, Texas
  
• OT- Jon Scott, 6-7, 310, Texas
• RB- Laurence Maroney, 5-11, 200, Minnesota
• WR- Jason Avant, 6-1, 210, Michigan
  

the Texas players will be the easiest for most of us to follow, UCLA vs. USC, while Oregon play's @ Relient Sep 1st vs Houston (watch for their TE Tim Day also). Michigan is on TV alot while Minnesota should get some air time as Maroney makes his case for the Heisman. anyway the point of this post is to alert any/all of us games that need watching with players we would like to see become Texans. the examples I've choosen to promote are all 1st round talent & hopefully available somewhere close to the Texans pick (just guessing 18th-22nd range). have fun, kick back & be ready for some football

 

[beerlover]

Current top 32 2006 NFL Draft Prospects. We don't rank them in draft order yet, just our idea of the top 32 before we even start the season.

1. Matt Leinart, QB, Southern California: He would have been the first player picked in this year's draft. Barring an injury, he's the top player next year.

2. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, T, Virginia: He's a huge tackle with great athletic ability. If he had come out this year, he would have been a top 10 pick.

3. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis: An explosive runner with good size and the ability to make people miss. Williams is in the Ronnie Brown-Carnell Williams class.

4. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College: DE out of Boston College 6'7"-6'8" 260 pounds. Regarded as the best pure pass rusher in the country last season. Came back for his senior year and expected to be even better. Physical freak who runs a 4.6 40. We know teams are desperate for pass rushers, which will make this speed rusher a potential top five pick

5. Rodrique Wright, DT, Texas: A power player inside who has great quickness. Thought about coming out this year, but an ankle injury slowed him 2004. Will be a force this season.

6. Jonathan Scott, T, Texas: At 6-7, 315, he has great athletic ability for a man his size. A left tackle with good feet is invaluable. He's a four-year starter at Texas.

7. Vince Young, QB, Texas (Jr.): This may seem high for him, but he came on strong late last season and has wonderful tools. Won the Rose Bowl MVP with a sensational performance. At 6-5, 230, he has a strong arm and wonderful feet.

8. Eric Winston, T, Miami: He tore ligaments in his knee last season; otherwise he wouldn't be back. Winston is a former tight end who excels in pass protection.

9. Reggie Bush, RB, Southern California (Jr.): Some will say he's too small (6-0, 200) to be an NFL running back. They will be wrong. This kid will get 25 touches a game in the NFL and make defenses tremble every time.

10. Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa: This former high school quarterback has developed into one of the best defensive players in the country while at Iowa. At 6-4, 239 pounds, he is relentless in his pursuit of the ball. Very fast, with playmaking ability

11. Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech: At 6-3, 219, he is big corner with good speed. Played safety early in his career at Tech, but make no mistake about it. This is a highly athletic corner with excellent size and speed.

12. Marcus McNeil, T, Auburn: A massive left tackle at 6-9, 335 pounds, McNeil has all the tools to be a Pro Bowl player.

13. Ernie Sims, LB, Florida State (Jr.): At 6-0, 220 pounds, he doesn't have the size teams love, but he is a wrecking ball at outside linebacker. This kid is special.

14. Mario Williams, DE, North Carolina State (Jr.): At 6-7, 285 pounds, he has outstanding speed off the edge. Has been a starter since he stepped on campus as a freshman. He could be higher on this list with a great junior season.

15. Charlie Whitehurst, QB, Clemson: The son of former NFL quarterback David Whitehurst, Charlie has a big arm and can make all the throws.

16. Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan: At 6-4, 333 pounds, he has the size teams crave from their inside people. But he's also athletic for a man that size.

17. Mercedes Lewis, TE, UCLA: He's the next great receiving tight end to enter the draft. Lewis will become an 80-catch player for whoever takes him.

18. Darnell Bing, S, Southern California: A rangy safety who brings a big lick when he attacks a runner or receiver. Another Ronnie Lott, another former Trojan?

19. Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green (Jr.): Another quarterback with good size (6-4) and the athletic ability to make people respect his feet. Jacobs really came on strong last season and should move his way into the first round next April.

20. Leon Washington, RB, Florida State: He has outstanding big-play ability and great speed. He's smallish at 5-9, 202, but his explosiveness makes up for it.

21. A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State: LB out of Ohio State. 6'2" 235 pounds, he has the size and speed teams like. . Very fast, intelligent LB, with playmaking ability. Possibly the years best defensive playmaker. He's one of those players who seems to be everywhere when you watch him play.

22. Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State (Jr.): At 6-3, 200, he's another bigger corner who has all the skills to be a shutdown player on the next level.

23. Ahmad Brooks, LB, Virginia (Jr.): LB out of Virginia. 6'4" 260 pounds. Couldn't design a better looking LB. Fearless. Vicious. Fast and highly athletic. Has the potential to be one of the greats some day. He's a tackling machine for the Cavaliers, but he does have some off-field issues that worry scouts.

24. Jason Avant, WR, Michigan: The next in a long line of Michigan receivers headed to the NFL. He isn't in the same class as Braylon Edwards, but he's close.

25. Martin Nance, WR, Miami of Ohio: He's 6-5, 210 pounds but can run 4.4 in the 40. That adds up to a heck of a player. He is said to have run a 4.33 40yd dash before he got hurt. We will keep an eye on his progress.

26. Mike Degory, C, Florida: He's the best center in the country, a player adept at blocking for the run and the pass.

27. Derek Hagan, WR, Arizona State: At 6-2, he has good size and speed to become a big-play threat. May miss Andrew Walter some this season.

28. Davin Joseph, G-T, Oklahoma: Joseph has been a powerful guard who excels blocking for the run. The Sooners are moving him to left tackle this season, which will help his stock rise.

29. Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon (Jr.): At 6-5, 345, he has the powerful build to be a run-stuffer on the next level. He also has some quickness to collapse the pocket.

30. Abdul Hodge, LB, Iowa: A South Florida product who has developed into a tackling machine in the Big Ten. At 6-2, 232, he has outstanding speed to get to the football.

31. Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota: Was the Gophers MVP last season even though he shared time with Marion Barber.

32. Michael Huff, FS, Texas: A rangy safety who has started for three years. Huff is a big hitter, but he's good in coverage.

http://www.sportznutz.com/nfl/draft/

 

[TexansCanes]

not a bad list, i would have omar jacobs a little higher. he is atleast better than vince and whitehurst and physically better than matt. also he is from the mac, what more do you want.

 

[beerlover]

not a bad list, i would have omar jacobs a little higher. he is atleast better than vince and whitehurst and physically better than matt. also he is from the mac, what more do you want.

We don't rank them in draft order yet, just our idea of the top 32 before we even start the season.

all of my early pre-season picks for the Texans are listed, not bad I must say. right now if I had to pick a favorite it would be Texas longhorn LT Jonathan Scott

 

[Big B Texan Fan]

Did I see V. Young on that list. He needs to stay 2 more seasons if he wants any chance @ being a QB in the NFL. Too raw, more raw than Vick was.

 

[STEEL BLUE TEXANS]

I'd love to have AJ Hawk on the Texans.

 

[beerlover]

I'd love to have AJ Hawk on the Texans.

BABIN GREENWOOD HAWK PEEK​

i'd like that too but i see AJ Hawk being a top 10 possibly top 5 pick but its still early

 

[Panther5407]

What about Reggie McNeil, I know I'm an aggie and everything but from what I've looked at he's suppose to be a top 3 QB coming out in the 06 draft.

 

[TexansCanes]

BABIN GREENWOOD HAWK PEEK​

i'd like that too but i see AJ Hawk being a top 10 possibly top 5 pick but its still early

there are a lot of good lbs this year between hawk, greenway, brooks, hodge, sims (even though unproven), and the guy from maryland, not to mention alot of other great athletes. this will be the first year in awhile more than two backers go in the first.

 

[Vinny]

Looks like OT's are two of the top 3 prospects in next years draft (right now) according to Blesto.

Two of the top three prospects overall, according to the spring Blesto grades, are tackles Eric Winston of the University of Miami and Auburn's Marcus McNeill.

Fact is, the early combine grades seem to point to an '06 draft that will be strong on the offensive line in general. Blesto features two guards among its top-rated players and the NFS grades include two centers and a guard among the top 13 prospects. It could make for a relatively un-sexy, but still productive, first round.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2097888

 

[BuffSoldier]

Next years draft is stacke to the brim with OTs. This will be a strong OT draft like this years RB race for or last years WR race, it will prolly come down to the combine and pro day workouts to figure out the top LT. I doubt that Wand improves enough for the Texans not to go with one of the top OTs in the draft, unless we get some free afent before the draft. Then its all about Mercedes, if he lasts that long.

 

[beerlover]

Next years draft is stacke to the brim with OTs. This will be a strong OT draft like this years RB race for or last years WR race, it will prolly come down to the combine and pro day workouts to figure out the top LT. I doubt that Wand improves enough for the Texans not to go with one of the top OTs in the draft, unless we get some free afent before the draft. Then its all about Mercedes, if he lasts that long.

I feel thats accurate. look for Jonathan Scott to become the Texans 1st round pick of 2006-

6-7 325 lbs can run a 5 sec forty but excells in pass protection add to that Vincent Young challenging for the Heisman and Texas in the national BCS picture

 

[D-ReK]

Scott Wright has put up his first 2006 mock and has us taking

*drum roll*

Memphis RB DeAngelo Williams at #7 and passing on Jon Scott, Kiwi, AJ Hawk, and Ngata, all of whom make more sense...

His justification for the pick is:

This franchise has been in search of a premier running back for years now and has invested a number of premium draft picks on the position, but only have the solid but unspectacular Domanick Davis to show for it. That would all change if they brought DeAngelo Williams into the fold though because he is a stud. In fact, had he come out last year he would have been right in the mix with Ronnie Brown, Cedric Benson and Cadillac Williams to be among the first runners off the board. A productive running back with great vision and instincts, Williams is far and away the best senior at his position in the country and will be a Top 5-10 overall pick come Draft Day '06. This choice would finally give the Texans the elite running game they have been lacking and as a result would take a lot of pressure off of David Carr and the passing game as well. One of the top left tackles would be awfully tempting here as well, but Williams is their man.

LINK

Guess nobody told him that we're trying to keep DD here long term...

 

[F-minus67]

I think that he just sees that DD is in the last year of his contract and will most likely not be resigned. Besides doesn't anyone else find it funny that we are picking with the 7th overall pick?

 

[STEEL BLUE TEXANS]

We must have traded up. lol

 

[beerlover]

thats old news and another fly in the ointment, its clear the direction the Texans are headed and its not down. its a steady slow rising, calculated step by step process with constant set-backs but proclivity to improve. mark this down (not McClain) the Texans will pick somewhere between 18-22 which means at least a .500 record or better. thats why Jonathan Scott is a more realistic pick & DeAngelo Williams is nothing but a pipe dream

 

[cred]

Besides doesn't anyone else find it funny that we are picking with the 7th overall pick?

Totally agree with you F-minus67 on that one. there is no way were that high on the draft board unless we do trade in exchange to move up.

 

[BuffSoldier]

we pick higher than 16, because I think we do better that at least half the league.

 

[keyfro]

i believe scott is probably our man...i'll be watching more closely to UT football this season to really see how scott plays to see if he's as good as winston and ferguson...i believe he is...he's got better size than either one of them that's for sure

 

[beerlover]

i believe scott is probably our man...i'll be watching more closely to UT football this season to really see how scott plays to see if he's as good as winston and ferguson...i believe he is...he's got better size than either one of them that's for sure

agreed keyfro Winston is excellent in pass protection, well at least he was until he tore his knee up but a liability with the run, which we all know Capers loves to do. Ferguson could play right tackle but would be a natural guard at the next level, surely not LT material. from what I've seen Scott is the complete package that best fits what the Texans like to do, if available he would be an excellent addition to the team. can't wait for the season to start, we'll be prepared to look in the right areas

 

[threetoedpete]

I feel thats accurate. look for Jonathan Scott to become the Texans 1st round pick of 2006-

6-7 325 lbs can run a 5 sec forty but excells in pass protection add to that Vincent Young challenging for the Heisman and Texas in the national BCS picture

I believe you are correct on this but was holding out hope that the national press would supress him a bit. It's a good year to wade in for a LT. Looks like there is a herd of them this year. I hope that Wand progresses. I woud love a versitile TE. But there are only so many hits Carr has in the bank. Don't doubt about the toughness ( See atlanta game 2003). But they got to have a hoss at LT if we're going to catch Peyton & the boyz. Might go 4-12. 8-8 is a more likely mark. Which means we're looking at the pickings in the middle of your fine list. Long way to go though. Still say Rod Wright will go #1 overall. I believe he's gonna be better than Sapp. JMHO.

 

[threetoedpete]

Scott Wright has put up his first 2006 mock and has us taking

*drum roll*

Memphis RB DeAngelo Williams at #7 and passing on Jon Scott, Kiwi, AJ Hawk, and Ngata, all of whom make more sense...

His justification for the pick is:



LINK

Guess nobody told him that we're trying to keep DD here long term...

Invariably, the NFL press and bloggers always guess wrong on Houston draft picks. CC's bad luck with second round picks is off set by the stable or RB's he has accumulated. They're tallented and cap friendly. If Hollings has a turn around with the injuries, this will be a formidable group. They are three deep now with capable starters(, if Morency learns to block this summer). Any two goes down, we still got game. Watch this mock draft season how many gaurds we get stcuck with in rounds two through seven. How many number one receivers we take in the first round eventhough we have the #1 young reciever in the NFL on the roster. Mind Boggleing. It's not that they're stupid, it's just that Houston has always been an after thought nationally. Hopefully that will change soon. You don't need a studly RB to get to the SB. Timmy Smith anyone ? Palmer is running the offense he can with the personnel he has. It's as simple as that. Gotta have three seconds to get the ball deep. TD is the master of the two deep zone. To get by Indi, we got to beat Dungy's two deep zone. Studly RB doesn't do that for us under the current scheme.I woud of Loved to have seen Ced Benson banging in the steel blue. But he wouldn't of got us to the SB in our division. JMHO

 

[D-ReK]

Winston is excellent in pass protection, well at least he was until he tore his knee up but a liability with the run, which we all know Capers loves to do. Ferguson could play right tackle but would be a natural guard at the next level, surely not LT material. from what I've seen Scott is the complete package that best fits what the Texans like to do, if available he would be an excellent addition to the team. can't wait for the season to start, we'll be prepared to look in the right areas

I disagree with most of your points raised in this post...While Winston wasn't the best run blocker prior to injury, he was still above average at it, definitely far from a liability...He has great feet and has the quickness to stay with most, if not all, speed rushers, and I don't see his ACL injury slowing any of this down...Your assertion that D'Brick isn't LT material is absolutely ludicrous...He may be a little undersized and he has trouble keeping weight on (it has been rumored that he routinely starts a season at 290, then ends up being 265-270 by the end of the season), but other than that, he may be the best OT to come along in years...He is a superb pass blocker and has shown flashes in the past of being a dominating road grader as well...Maybe you were thinking of Marcus McNeill...As far as Scott goes, I may have to warm up to the possibility of getting him since he'll probably be the only OT available in our range/trade up range...

 

[TexansCanes]

I disagree with most of your points raised in this post...While Winston wasn't the best run blocker prior to injury, he was still above average at it, definitely far from a liability...He has great feet and has the quickness to stay with most, if not all, speed rushers, and I don't see his ACL injury slowing any of this down...Your assertion that D'Brick isn't LT material is absolutely ludicrous...He may be a little undersized and he has trouble keeping weight on (it has been rumored that he routinely starts a season at 290, then ends up being 265-270 by the end of the season), but other than that, he may be the best OT to come along in years...He is a superb pass blocker and has shown flashes in the past of being a dominating road grader as well...Maybe you were thinking of Marcus McNeill...As far as Scott goes, I may have to warm up to the possibility of getting him since he'll probably be the only OT available in our range/trade up range...

they say that winston still runs the 4.8 that he came to school with, of course that was before the acl injury.