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2023 TEXANS DRAFT DISCUSSION

Decim8 said:
Arizona sitting at three might favour the Texans cause I don’t think the bears would risk losing out on Anderson if they were to trade with indy (1.4). If there were a trade to happen, it be between bears and Texans - otherwise they can both stay put.

all imo ofcorse
Click to expand...

Poles has said he wants a player/players/ a 2023 1st and 2nd/2024 1st. I could see the Panthers giving up Derrick Brown pick #9 and pick #40, plus a 2024 1st for 1-1.

Brown/Witherspoon/Mazi Smith would be game changers for Bears defense. Sign Davenport in FA and that team would be dangerous.
 
steelbtexan said:
Poles has said he wants a player/players/ a 2023 1st and 2nd/2024 1st. I could see the Panthers giving up Derrick Brown pick #9 and pick #40, plus a 2024 1st for 1-1.

Brown/Witherspoon/Mazi Smith would be game changers for Bears defense. Sign Davenport in FA and that team would be dangerous.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's why anybody thinking the Texans are moving up are dreaming. Never going to happen. Schefter reports multiple teams are interested in trading up and Texans are firing a pop gun leverage-wise only 1 spot behind the Bears. We're picking @ 2 or trading down.
 
steelbtexan said:
Did they ask him about the 4 shoulder injuries, or are they going to trust the Texans medical staff to figure this out? SMH
Click to expand...
Yes! His skills and football knowledge should not be a concern but if some of us, me included, voice concern over drafting Stingley then we should do same for Young, all the QBs, Carter, Tyree, etc. Same rules for all. History of Texans medical staff should have us all covering our eyes and cringing.
 
ben.aires.smith said:
Yeah, that's why anybody thinking the Texans are moving up are dreaming. Never going to happen. Schefter reports multiple teams are interested in trading up and Texans are firing a pop gun leverage-wise only 1 spot behind the Bears. We're picking @ 2 or trading down.
Click to expand...
so 1.2 plus 33 would not get Bears attention? Even knowing they probably flip 2 for even more?
BTW, I would not offer that for 1.1.
 
NFL Mock Draft Simulator - Pro Football Network


I kept the #2 pick. I also kept the #73 pick. Each pick before, between, and after was obtained via draft. This strategy netted the Texans 10 picks between #002 - #104 and (2) additional picks in the 2024 NFL Draft from Green Bay (RD2) and Tampa Bay (RD4).

This mock has 4 defensive players and 6 offensive players.

On the PFF Simulator, I had no issue trading WR- Cooks to the Jets for WR- Denzel Mims and a 2024 RD3. Texans want to off load Cooks and Mims needs a new beginning. I’m sure the Texans would be eating some of Cooks contract, but obtaining an additional RD3 pick in 2024 may help take the sting out of ingesting some of the contract, considering it’s the Jets.

I also like the idea of adding both QB- Garoppolo and C- Brendel via free agency to help with the transition to Slowick’s new offense.





  • 2.
    Jalen Carter
    DT Georgia

  • 30.
    Tuli Tuipulotu
    EDGE USC

  • 32.
    John Michael Schmitz
    OC Minnesota

  • 42.
    JL Skinner
    S Boise State

  • 50.
    Hendon Hooker
    QB Tennessee

  • 57.
    Cody Mauch
    OT North Dakota State

  • 73.
    Jack Campbell
    LB Iowa

  • 98.
    Sean Tucker
    RB Syracuse

  • 99.
    Nathaniel Dell
    WR Houston

  • 104.
    Zack Kuntz
    TE Old Dominion

  • 2024 GB 2nd
  • 2024 TB 4th
 
steelbtexan said:
I would take Carter who was a member of a 2 times and counting National Championship team. I get what you're saying about Clowney but from what I've read Carter is far from Clowney. I do consider this ver suspicious that this accident happened on January 15th and this info is just now coming out at the combine.

I know it was only one game, but watching Notre Dame dominate the LOS has me turned off towards Murphy and Bresee. The best Clemson DL in that game was Davis.
Click to expand...
What does winning a team award have to do with pro potential? Look at how many Bama title teams that had high draft picks that have been avg in the nfl. When you draft a player top 5, you want an all pro caliber player. In my opinion, I don't see it with Carter. He takes alot of plays off and was a non factor in alot of games. He has an inconsistent motor. Even though I don't think Anderson will be an elite pass rusher, I do think his consistent play will make him a higher ceiling performer.
 
steelbtexan said:
Poles has said he wants a player/players/ a 2023 1st and 2nd/2024 1st. I could see the Panthers giving up Derrick Brown pick #9 and pick #40, plus a 2024 1st for 1-1.

Brown/Witherspoon/Mazi Smith would be game changers for Bears defense. Sign Davenport in FA and that team would be dangerous.
Click to expand...

For the panthers I see them trading with Arizona not the bears imo. Stroud, young or Levi will be there at 3.
 
xtruroyaltyx said:
I only did the first two rounds

View attachment 11739
Click to expand...
Yeah, nope. Not a good use of draft capital. I'm not taking Richardson in the 1st round at all. Branch is the only one of these picks that I would even consider. Banks? No. Better CB's will be available if we go that route, but we have more pressing needs. Although Carter might not be a bad pick, I don't think he has been released from his commitment to the Army. We can't afford to wait 2-4 years for an edge rusher.
 
I found this article which should serve as a very helpful guide to understanding Combine numbers.

*****************************************************************************************

NFL combine player defensive drills: How to scout and understand the workouts
INDIANAPOLIS — Based on your vantage point, the NFL Scouting Combine serves different purposes.
For a member of a coaching or personnel staff, the week provides official height and weight measurements for prospects as well as complete physical assessments and a venue for conducting intensive (and important) face-to-face interviews. For players, this is one of the first opportunities to showcase themselves without wearing their college colors. There’s no sports information director in Indianapolis to redirect or bat away the press during media sessions, so what you hear from the prospects is usually a reflection of training and preparation (or lack thereof) by their inner circle.
And for fans, the part of the process they’re able to consume comes in the measurements and on-field drills. Those workouts — should a player choose to participate — still serve as an important data point in understanding the kind of athlete each prospect is and can be.
But what’s most important? What does it all mean in a prospect’s evaluation? As defensive linemen and linebackers kick off drills Thursday, The Athletic is here to help you understand what you’re seeing on the defensive side of the ball, with a quick guide for judging how those prospects perform.
(All measurable and athletic testing averages are via Marcus Armstrong at MockDraftable.com.)
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
NFL combine roundtable: What our draft experts are tracking in Indianapolis this week
Measurables
Interior defensive linemen: The average height and weight for defensive tackles entering the league is 6-foot-3, 306 pounds. Weighing in below 300 pounds makes it more likely that a prospect will be projected as a three-technique in the NFL (think Aaron Donald); weighing more than 320 pounds would point toward a future as a nose tackle (think Linval Joseph).
In both scenarios, there’s added pressure to perform at a high level athletically, relative to size. This year, Clemson’s Bryan Bresee — a potential top-15 pick — likely will measure in around 6-6 and 315 pounds, which would make him an ideal size to play defensive tackle in a 3-4.
Edge defenders: The average pass rusher steps on the scales in Indianapolis at 265 pounds and stands 6-3. Teams consider wingspan and arm length with every defensive position, but it draws more attention at edge. The average wingspan there is about 80 inches (6-foot-8), which is vital because edge rushers have to use that length to keep tackles at bay and create necessary angles to turn corners and win the edge.
Edge rushers with shorter arms, or that weigh closer to the 240-pound range, have to show high-level athletic traits elsewhere. Georgia’s Nolan Smith, for example, may not clear the 250-pound mark in Indianapolis (although, he might get there by his pro day). He’ll need to prove he has the necessary speed to make up for a lack of heft.
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Three rounds, Carolina and Washington move up
Off-ball linebackers: The average size at this spot is around 6-2, 240. Linebackers typically don’t have the longest wingspans, so you don’t hear quite as much consternation if a prospect lacks length. Linebackers are often discussed with esoteric terms like “feel for the game” and “instincts,” but the best players are usually the most explosive athletes.
That said, a player at this position who can’t clear the 230-pound threshold should set off some alarms — they’d need dominant tape and athleticism for NFL teams to look past it. Clemson’s Trenton Simpson and Arkansas’ Drew Sanders embody the prototypical size, while Texas’ DeMarvion Overshown and Alabama’s Henry To’oTo’o are guys I have worries about.
Safeties: Your typical safety will step in at the combine around 6-0, 207. When we talk athletic traits further down, we’ll cover the importance of range, but I’ve found myself considering wingspan (the average is 75 inches) more and more in how I evaluate this position. Why? Because for safeties, so much of the modern game comes down to being able to erase mismatches, mistakes and airspace in coverage.
When watching a player like Detroit’s Kerby Joseph, for example, his 6-8 (80-inch) wingspan allows him to make plays on the ball and close ground in a way that he wouldn’t be able to consistently access otherwise. In this draft class, the length of Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson was apparent in his play and helped him be productive as a tackler and at batting passes.
Cornerbacks: The average numbers here are 5-11, 193. Wingspan is an obvious priority, too, with that mark landing around 75 inches (6-3). Be it playing close to the line of scrimmage or dealing with matchups against elite sprinters and route runners, it’s of the utmost importance that a corner’s wingspan buys them enough margin for error to properly read what an offense is trying to do.
This year’s tall corners — like Kelee Ringo, Christian Gonzalez and Joey Porter Jr. — will have an edge on the others in terms of body type.

Athletic testing
• The 3-cone is the holy grail when it comes to evaluating edge rushers. For the prospects who go through it, that drill simulates turning tight corners (what we call “bending”) and fighting through contact to finish at the intended destination. The average time for the 3-cone is 7.23 seconds. If you’re looking for elite pass-rushing potential, though, anything under seven seconds can make an edge significant money come draft time.
This class has more power rushers than bending, speed prospects, but the balance Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. has as a pass rusher should shine in this drill. Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV, meanwhile, is an undersized edge who could use a great 3-cone to stay in the top-50 conversation.
• For interior linemen and edge rushers, I care most about their explosion from a standstill position. That’s measured at the combine using 10-yard splits in the 40-yard dash. Analyzing the 10-yard split (1.75-second average for DTs; 1.65 for edges) alongside a player’s weight can paint a picture of how much force that prospect can generate taking on blocks, making tackles and (most importantly) getting after the quarterback.
Last year, Jordan Davis had a 1.68-second 10-yard split at 340 pounds, which is exactly how a nose tackle can wind up being a top-15 pick. This year, I’ll be interested to see how Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson, Clemson’s Myles Murphy and Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness stack up, because each of those likely Round 1 names was listed at 270-plus pounds in college. Having explosive power at that size usually bodes well for an edge rusher.
This is the new broad jump record for a player weighing more than 300 pounds 💪 @jordanxdavis99 #NFLCombine https://t.co/ANJWxe9kSX
— NFL (@NFL) March 5, 2022
Click to expand...
• There are ways other than speed tests to judge explosiveness for defensive-front players. The broad and vertical jumps are two drills that measure a prospect’s maximum output in a rep, and that can help illuminate a player’s power coming out of his stance. For edge rushers, the average vertical is 33 inches and the average broad jump is 9 feet, 7 inches; for defensive tackles, those marks are 29 inches and 8 feet, 9 inches, respectively.
Edges who clear a 36-inch vertical or 10-foot broad jump catch my (and the league’s) eye. I think Anderson will accomplish both. Michigan’s Mazi Smith also has been on my radar since I read about him in Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List” and I hear his jumps will be remarkable, given his weight.
• As a former college linebacker and current high school defensive coach, I find I can be an unnecessarily harsh critic of players at the linebacker position. But you can’t turn away from pure athletic gifts.
The short shuttle (a 20-yard, change-of-direction drill), in combination with the 40 and broad jump, gives a clear picture of a few things:
    • How well a linebacker can maintain speed as he shifts his hip depth, hip angle and his direction.
    • A linebacker’s top speed, which simulates how well he can close to the ball.
    • How explosive he can be getting to his spots once he makes his read, and if there’s potential to be an effective tackler.
The average shuttle time for linebackers is 4.3 seconds, the average 40 is 4.71 seconds, and the average broad jump is 9 feet, 8 inches.
Oregon’s Noah Sewell is one prospect who needs to show me something in that package of drills to calm concerns about his viability as a modern linebacker. On film, he doesn’t always change directions smoothly, and I’m unsure what his top speed actually can be.
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
2023 NFL Draft Consensus Big Board 3.0: Which prospects crack the top 100?
• Of course, one of the more entertaining aspects of the combine is tracking those 40 times — especially to see which guys can sneak under the 4.4-second threshold. Defensive backs regularly rise to the occasion. Because the baseline of speed is already so high with corners and safeties, I care most about eliminating outliers (4.6-second 40 runners rarely thrive at corner in the NFL) and looking to see whether the speed translates into other explosiveness metrics (broad and vertical jumps).
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon has been gaining traction in the pre-draft process. If he can run in the 4.4 range, jump 36-plus inches in the vertical and go longer than 10 feet in the broad jump, he can secure his stock as a true high-level athlete at the position.
2022 was the year of the 40-yard dash at the #NFLCombine
Combine records, since 2003
– Average 4.71 seconds (fastest ever)
– 31 players with a sub-4.4 (most ever)
– Fastest RB, WR, OL, DL, LB & DB groups ever
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) March 6, 2022
Click to expand...
Position-specific drills
• Of all the position drills, I probably watch those attempted by the defensive linemen with the loosest eye. I’m a little less concerned with the placement of each step and the mechanics of every movement at the combine because the prospects themselves are more worried about blazing through the drills. When the pop-up bags are introduced, though, I do pay attention to a prospect’s ability to turn corners and the quickness of their hand movement.
In the NFL, pass rushers don’t have time to reach out wide and swing wildly to execute a club move, or to sloppily spin for a counter move. So defensive linemen who stay efficient while they zip through the bags will check a box. Keep a close eye on how each player looks striking those bags and on which guys appear to be most explosive and comfortable bending around the edge.
Athleticism scores for the 2022 EDGE class are set.@UMichFootball's Aidan Hutchinson solidified his draft status by posting an "elite" athleticism score (93), driven by a 6.73-second 3-cone, the fastest time by any DL over 6-foot-5 at the combine since 2003.#NextGenScores pic.twitter.com/eqVFqM7cKX
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 6, 2022
Click to expand...
• Linebackers usually don’t have the benefit of sprinting until the ball has been thrown or handed off, or until one of their keys gives them a clue to the play before it happens. Because of the if-then requirements of the position, I’m always keyed in to how fluid each linebacker is with his hips and feet. The guys who stumble or have to chop their feet longer than others are usually tight in the hips and, therefore, lack the agility to transition from playing the pass after run fakes to tracking the ball out to the perimeter and positioning their bodies well enough to make tackles in space.
I wouldn’t worry so much about the “agiles” — those bags that look like speed bumps on the ground — but I would be locked into every drill that asks linebackers to execute a series of shuffle-then-sprint changes. You don’t want to see players dragging their feet when they shuffle. You also don’t want to see them stepping far outside the frame of their body to change directions or constantly shifting their hip depth. Mechanically, you cannot play fast if you’re always going between leaning/squatting and an upright running position.
Who is going to blow everyone away with their testing?
Who needs a strong performance this week in Indy?
My NFL Combine preview with what I'll be looking for at each position:
Offense: https://t.co/myMKoprxr5
Defense: https://t.co/RyeT3UNhWp
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 27, 2023
Click to expand...
• The defensive backs’ drills are the most important of all, because of how similar the athletic profiles can be between players. Every one of the DB drills incorporates a transition of some kind, and simulating coverage through the different phases of a route can be telling.
When players are pedaling and opening down the line, look for those who can get their hips turned the furthest without their chin turning in kind. In the “M” drill (DBs backpedal, then sprint five yards at a time), try to watch for a prospect’s hip depth and how efficient their feet are.
Playing defensive back is similar to playing offensive line, in that generating power and speed can only happen when you can get your feet out of the air and into the turf. The fastest transitions happen by stepping down, not out or back. It’s evident which guys have poor balance in their transition from seeing how long their front foot hangs in the air as they go from pedaling to sprinting.
Ringo and Porter can quiet criticism about their coverage ability by transitioning through drills smoothly, while Gonzalez should be able to wow the viewing public with how well he moves at his size.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
I found this article which should serve as a very helpful guide to understanding Combine numbers.

*****************************************************************************************

NFL combine player defensive drills: How to scout and understand the workouts
INDIANAPOLIS — Based on your vantage point, the NFL Scouting Combine serves different purposes.
For a member of a coaching or personnel staff, the week provides official height and weight measurements for prospects as well as complete physical assessments and a venue for conducting intensive (and important) face-to-face interviews. For players, this is one of the first opportunities to showcase themselves without wearing their college colors. There’s no sports information director in Indianapolis to redirect or bat away the press during media sessions, so what you hear from the prospects is usually a reflection of training and preparation (or lack thereof) by their inner circle.
And for fans, the part of the process they’re able to consume comes in the measurements and on-field drills. Those workouts — should a player choose to participate — still serve as an important data point in understanding the kind of athlete each prospect is and can be.
But what’s most important? What does it all mean in a prospect’s evaluation? As defensive linemen and linebackers kick off drills Thursday, The Athletic is here to help you understand what you’re seeing on the defensive side of the ball, with a quick guide for judging how those prospects perform.
(All measurable and athletic testing averages are via Marcus Armstrong at MockDraftable.com.)
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
NFL combine roundtable: What our draft experts are tracking in Indianapolis this week
Measurables
Interior defensive linemen: The average height and weight for defensive tackles entering the league is 6-foot-3, 306 pounds. Weighing in below 300 pounds makes it more likely that a prospect will be projected as a three-technique in the NFL (think Aaron Donald); weighing more than 320 pounds would point toward a future as a nose tackle (think Linval Joseph).
In both scenarios, there’s added pressure to perform at a high level athletically, relative to size. This year, Clemson’s Bryan Bresee — a potential top-15 pick — likely will measure in around 6-6 and 315 pounds, which would make him an ideal size to play defensive tackle in a 3-4.
Edge defenders: The average pass rusher steps on the scales in Indianapolis at 265 pounds and stands 6-3. Teams consider wingspan and arm length with every defensive position, but it draws more attention at edge. The average wingspan there is about 80 inches (6-foot-8), which is vital because edge rushers have to use that length to keep tackles at bay and create necessary angles to turn corners and win the edge.
Edge rushers with shorter arms, or that weigh closer to the 240-pound range, have to show high-level athletic traits elsewhere. Georgia’s Nolan Smith, for example, may not clear the 250-pound mark in Indianapolis (although, he might get there by his pro day). He’ll need to prove he has the necessary speed to make up for a lack of heft.
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Three rounds, Carolina and Washington move up
Off-ball linebackers: The average size at this spot is around 6-2, 240. Linebackers typically don’t have the longest wingspans, so you don’t hear quite as much consternation if a prospect lacks length. Linebackers are often discussed with esoteric terms like “feel for the game” and “instincts,” but the best players are usually the most explosive athletes.
That said, a player at this position who can’t clear the 230-pound threshold should set off some alarms — they’d need dominant tape and athleticism for NFL teams to look past it. Clemson’s Trenton Simpson and Arkansas’ Drew Sanders embody the prototypical size, while Texas’ DeMarvion Overshown and Alabama’s Henry To’oTo’o are guys I have worries about.
Safeties: Your typical safety will step in at the combine around 6-0, 207. When we talk athletic traits further down, we’ll cover the importance of range, but I’ve found myself considering wingspan (the average is 75 inches) more and more in how I evaluate this position. Why? Because for safeties, so much of the modern game comes down to being able to erase mismatches, mistakes and airspace in coverage.
When watching a player like Detroit’s Kerby Joseph, for example, his 6-8 (80-inch) wingspan allows him to make plays on the ball and close ground in a way that he wouldn’t be able to consistently access otherwise. In this draft class, the length of Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson was apparent in his play and helped him be productive as a tackler and at batting passes.
Cornerbacks: The average numbers here are 5-11, 193. Wingspan is an obvious priority, too, with that mark landing around 75 inches (6-3). Be it playing close to the line of scrimmage or dealing with matchups against elite sprinters and route runners, it’s of the utmost importance that a corner’s wingspan buys them enough margin for error to properly read what an offense is trying to do.
This year’s tall corners — like Kelee Ringo, Christian Gonzalez and Joey Porter Jr. — will have an edge on the others in terms of body type.

Athletic testing
• The 3-cone is the holy grail when it comes to evaluating edge rushers. For the prospects who go through it, that drill simulates turning tight corners (what we call “bending”) and fighting through contact to finish at the intended destination. The average time for the 3-cone is 7.23 seconds. If you’re looking for elite pass-rushing potential, though, anything under seven seconds can make an edge significant money come draft time.
This class has more power rushers than bending, speed prospects, but the balance Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. has as a pass rusher should shine in this drill. Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV, meanwhile, is an undersized edge who could use a great 3-cone to stay in the top-50 conversation.
• For interior linemen and edge rushers, I care most about their explosion from a standstill position. That’s measured at the combine using 10-yard splits in the 40-yard dash. Analyzing the 10-yard split (1.75-second average for DTs; 1.65 for edges) alongside a player’s weight can paint a picture of how much force that prospect can generate taking on blocks, making tackles and (most importantly) getting after the quarterback.
Last year, Jordan Davis had a 1.68-second 10-yard split at 340 pounds, which is exactly how a nose tackle can wind up being a top-15 pick. This year, I’ll be interested to see how Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson, Clemson’s Myles Murphy and Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness stack up, because each of those likely Round 1 names was listed at 270-plus pounds in college. Having explosive power at that size usually bodes well for an edge rusher.

• There are ways other than speed tests to judge explosiveness for defensive-front players. The broad and vertical jumps are two drills that measure a prospect’s maximum output in a rep, and that can help illuminate a player’s power coming out of his stance. For edge rushers, the average vertical is 33 inches and the average broad jump is 9 feet, 7 inches; for defensive tackles, those marks are 29 inches and 8 feet, 9 inches, respectively.
Edges who clear a 36-inch vertical or 10-foot broad jump catch my (and the league’s) eye. I think Anderson will accomplish both. Michigan’s Mazi Smith also has been on my radar since I read about him in Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List” and I hear his jumps will be remarkable, given his weight.
• As a former college linebacker and current high school defensive coach, I find I can be an unnecessarily harsh critic of players at the linebacker position. But you can’t turn away from pure athletic gifts.
The short shuttle (a 20-yard, change-of-direction drill), in combination with the 40 and broad jump, gives a clear picture of a few things:
    • How well a linebacker can maintain speed as he shifts his hip depth, hip angle and his direction.
    • A linebacker’s top speed, which simulates how well he can close to the ball.
    • How explosive he can be getting to his spots once he makes his read, and if there’s potential to be an effective tackler.
The average shuttle time for linebackers is 4.3 seconds, the average 40 is 4.71 seconds, and the average broad jump is 9 feet, 8 inches.
Oregon’s Noah Sewell is one prospect who needs to show me something in that package of drills to calm concerns about his viability as a modern linebacker. On film, he doesn’t always change directions smoothly, and I’m unsure what his top speed actually can be.
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
2023 NFL Draft Consensus Big Board 3.0: Which prospects crack the top 100?
• Of course, one of the more entertaining aspects of the combine is tracking those 40 times — especially to see which guys can sneak under the 4.4-second threshold. Defensive backs regularly rise to the occasion. Because the baseline of speed is already so high with corners and safeties, I care most about eliminating outliers (4.6-second 40 runners rarely thrive at corner in the NFL) and looking to see whether the speed translates into other explosiveness metrics (broad and vertical jumps).
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon has been gaining traction in the pre-draft process. If he can run in the 4.4 range, jump 36-plus inches in the vertical and go longer than 10 feet in the broad jump, he can secure his stock as a true high-level athlete at the position.

Position-specific drills
• Of all the position drills, I probably watch those attempted by the defensive linemen with the loosest eye. I’m a little less concerned with the placement of each step and the mechanics of every movement at the combine because the prospects themselves are more worried about blazing through the drills. When the pop-up bags are introduced, though, I do pay attention to a prospect’s ability to turn corners and the quickness of their hand movement.
In the NFL, pass rushers don’t have time to reach out wide and swing wildly to execute a club move, or to sloppily spin for a counter move. So defensive linemen who stay efficient while they zip through the bags will check a box. Keep a close eye on how each player looks striking those bags and on which guys appear to be most explosive and comfortable bending around the edge.

• Linebackers usually don’t have the benefit of sprinting until the ball has been thrown or handed off, or until one of their keys gives them a clue to the play before it happens. Because of the if-then requirements of the position, I’m always keyed in to how fluid each linebacker is with his hips and feet. The guys who stumble or have to chop their feet longer than others are usually tight in the hips and, therefore, lack the agility to transition from playing the pass after run fakes to tracking the ball out to the perimeter and positioning their bodies well enough to make tackles in space.
I wouldn’t worry so much about the “agiles” — those bags that look like speed bumps on the ground — but I would be locked into every drill that asks linebackers to execute a series of shuffle-then-sprint changes. You don’t want to see players dragging their feet when they shuffle. You also don’t want to see them stepping far outside the frame of their body to change directions or constantly shifting their hip depth. Mechanically, you cannot play fast if you’re always going between leaning/squatting and an upright running position.

• The defensive backs’ drills are the most important of all, because of how similar the athletic profiles can be between players. Every one of the DB drills incorporates a transition of some kind, and simulating coverage through the different phases of a route can be telling.
When players are pedaling and opening down the line, look for those who can get their hips turned the furthest without their chin turning in kind. In the “M” drill (DBs backpedal, then sprint five yards at a time), try to watch for a prospect’s hip depth and how efficient their feet are.
Playing defensive back is similar to playing offensive line, in that generating power and speed can only happen when you can get your feet out of the air and into the turf. The fastest transitions happen by stepping down, not out or back. It’s evident which guys have poor balance in their transition from seeing how long their front foot hangs in the air as they go from pedaling to sprinting.
Ringo and Porter can quiet criticism about their coverage ability by transitioning through drills smoothly, while Gonzalez should be able to wow the viewing public with how well he moves at his size.
Click to expand...
Defensive drills
 
The human brain is not fully developed for decision making until age 25. But there are many examples that age is just a number. Carter vs. Geno Smith at 30 years old. When "kids just being kids" repeatedly are allowed to get by without consequences, they not uncommonly turn to "adults just being adults."

********************************************************************************************************************************************

Geno Smith Allegedly Told A Police Officer He Has A ‘Little Dick,’ Threatened To Fight The Cops During Arrest
DAVID HOOKSTEADSPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
January 11, 20223:41 PM ET
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
The human brain is not fully developed for decision making until age 25. But there are many examples that age is just a number. Carter vs. Geno Smith at 30 years old. When "kids just being kids" repeatedly are allowed to get by without consequences, they not uncommonly turn to "adults just being adults."

********************************************************************************************************************************************

Geno Smith Allegedly Told A Police Officer He Has A ‘Little Dick,’ Threatened To Fight The Cops During Arrest
DAVID HOOKSTEADSPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
January 11, 20223:41 PM ET
Click to expand...
Brain
 
Decim8 said:
For the panthers I see them trading with Arizona not the bears imo. Stroud, young or Levi will be there at 3.
Click to expand...
I could see this, depends on how they feel about the QB class, if they really love a particular guy and if they think the 1st two picks are going to be QB's.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
I found this article which should serve as a very helpful guide to understanding Combine numbers.

*****************************************************************************************

NFL combine player defensive drills: How to scout and understand the workouts
INDIANAPOLIS — Based on your vantage point, the NFL Scouting Combine serves different purposes.
For a member of a coaching or personnel staff, the week provides official height and weight measurements for prospects as well as complete physical assessments and a venue for conducting intensive (and important) face-to-face interviews. For players, this is one of the first opportunities to showcase themselves without wearing their college colors. There’s no sports information director in Indianapolis to redirect or bat away the press during media sessions, so what you hear from the prospects is usually a reflection of training and preparation (or lack thereof) by their inner circle.
And for fans, the part of the process they’re able to consume comes in the measurements and on-field drills. Those workouts — should a player choose to participate — still serve as an important data point in understanding the kind of athlete each prospect is and can be.
But what’s most important? What does it all mean in a prospect’s evaluation? As defensive linemen and linebackers kick off drills Thursday, The Athletic is here to help you understand what you’re seeing on the defensive side of the ball, with a quick guide for judging how those prospects perform.
(All measurable and athletic testing averages are via Marcus Armstrong at MockDraftable.com.)
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
NFL combine roundtable: What our draft experts are tracking in Indianapolis this week
Measurables
Interior defensive linemen: The average height and weight for defensive tackles entering the league is 6-foot-3, 306 pounds. Weighing in below 300 pounds makes it more likely that a prospect will be projected as a three-technique in the NFL (think Aaron Donald); weighing more than 320 pounds would point toward a future as a nose tackle (think Linval Joseph).
In both scenarios, there’s added pressure to perform at a high level athletically, relative to size. This year, Clemson’s Bryan Bresee — a potential top-15 pick — likely will measure in around 6-6 and 315 pounds, which would make him an ideal size to play defensive tackle in a 3-4.
Edge defenders: The average pass rusher steps on the scales in Indianapolis at 265 pounds and stands 6-3. Teams consider wingspan and arm length with every defensive position, but it draws more attention at edge. The average wingspan there is about 80 inches (6-foot-8), which is vital because edge rushers have to use that length to keep tackles at bay and create necessary angles to turn corners and win the edge.
Edge rushers with shorter arms, or that weigh closer to the 240-pound range, have to show high-level athletic traits elsewhere. Georgia’s Nolan Smith, for example, may not clear the 250-pound mark in Indianapolis (although, he might get there by his pro day). He’ll need to prove he has the necessary speed to make up for a lack of heft.
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Three rounds, Carolina and Washington move up
Off-ball linebackers: The average size at this spot is around 6-2, 240. Linebackers typically don’t have the longest wingspans, so you don’t hear quite as much consternation if a prospect lacks length. Linebackers are often discussed with esoteric terms like “feel for the game” and “instincts,” but the best players are usually the most explosive athletes.
That said, a player at this position who can’t clear the 230-pound threshold should set off some alarms — they’d need dominant tape and athleticism for NFL teams to look past it. Clemson’s Trenton Simpson and Arkansas’ Drew Sanders embody the prototypical size, while Texas’ DeMarvion Overshown and Alabama’s Henry To’oTo’o are guys I have worries about.
Safeties: Your typical safety will step in at the combine around 6-0, 207. When we talk athletic traits further down, we’ll cover the importance of range, but I’ve found myself considering wingspan (the average is 75 inches) more and more in how I evaluate this position. Why? Because for safeties, so much of the modern game comes down to being able to erase mismatches, mistakes and airspace in coverage.
When watching a player like Detroit’s Kerby Joseph, for example, his 6-8 (80-inch) wingspan allows him to make plays on the ball and close ground in a way that he wouldn’t be able to consistently access otherwise. In this draft class, the length of Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson was apparent in his play and helped him be productive as a tackler and at batting passes.
Cornerbacks: The average numbers here are 5-11, 193. Wingspan is an obvious priority, too, with that mark landing around 75 inches (6-3). Be it playing close to the line of scrimmage or dealing with matchups against elite sprinters and route runners, it’s of the utmost importance that a corner’s wingspan buys them enough margin for error to properly read what an offense is trying to do.
This year’s tall corners — like Kelee Ringo, Christian Gonzalez and Joey Porter Jr. — will have an edge on the others in terms of body type.

Athletic testing
• The 3-cone is the holy grail when it comes to evaluating edge rushers. For the prospects who go through it, that drill simulates turning tight corners (what we call “bending”) and fighting through contact to finish at the intended destination. The average time for the 3-cone is 7.23 seconds. If you’re looking for elite pass-rushing potential, though, anything under seven seconds can make an edge significant money come draft time.
This class has more power rushers than bending, speed prospects, but the balance Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. has as a pass rusher should shine in this drill. Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV, meanwhile, is an undersized edge who could use a great 3-cone to stay in the top-50 conversation.
• For interior linemen and edge rushers, I care most about their explosion from a standstill position. That’s measured at the combine using 10-yard splits in the 40-yard dash. Analyzing the 10-yard split (1.75-second average for DTs; 1.65 for edges) alongside a player’s weight can paint a picture of how much force that prospect can generate taking on blocks, making tackles and (most importantly) getting after the quarterback.
Last year, Jordan Davis had a 1.68-second 10-yard split at 340 pounds, which is exactly how a nose tackle can wind up being a top-15 pick. This year, I’ll be interested to see how Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson, Clemson’s Myles Murphy and Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness stack up, because each of those likely Round 1 names was listed at 270-plus pounds in college. Having explosive power at that size usually bodes well for an edge rusher.

• There are ways other than speed tests to judge explosiveness for defensive-front players. The broad and vertical jumps are two drills that measure a prospect’s maximum output in a rep, and that can help illuminate a player’s power coming out of his stance. For edge rushers, the average vertical is 33 inches and the average broad jump is 9 feet, 7 inches; for defensive tackles, those marks are 29 inches and 8 feet, 9 inches, respectively.
Edges who clear a 36-inch vertical or 10-foot broad jump catch my (and the league’s) eye. I think Anderson will accomplish both. Michigan’s Mazi Smith also has been on my radar since I read about him in Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List” and I hear his jumps will be remarkable, given his weight.
• As a former college linebacker and current high school defensive coach, I find I can be an unnecessarily harsh critic of players at the linebacker position. But you can’t turn away from pure athletic gifts.
The short shuttle (a 20-yard, change-of-direction drill), in combination with the 40 and broad jump, gives a clear picture of a few things:
    • How well a linebacker can maintain speed as he shifts his hip depth, hip angle and his direction.
    • A linebacker’s top speed, which simulates how well he can close to the ball.
    • How explosive he can be getting to his spots once he makes his read, and if there’s potential to be an effective tackler.
The average shuttle time for linebackers is 4.3 seconds, the average 40 is 4.71 seconds, and the average broad jump is 9 feet, 8 inches.
Oregon’s Noah Sewell is one prospect who needs to show me something in that package of drills to calm concerns about his viability as a modern linebacker. On film, he doesn’t always change directions smoothly, and I’m unsure what his top speed actually can be.
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
2023 NFL Draft Consensus Big Board 3.0: Which prospects crack the top 100?
• Of course, one of the more entertaining aspects of the combine is tracking those 40 times — especially to see which guys can sneak under the 4.4-second threshold. Defensive backs regularly rise to the occasion. Because the baseline of speed is already so high with corners and safeties, I care most about eliminating outliers (4.6-second 40 runners rarely thrive at corner in the NFL) and looking to see whether the speed translates into other explosiveness metrics (broad and vertical jumps).
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon has been gaining traction in the pre-draft process. If he can run in the 4.4 range, jump 36-plus inches in the vertical and go longer than 10 feet in the broad jump, he can secure his stock as a true high-level athlete at the position.

Position-specific drills
• Of all the position drills, I probably watch those attempted by the defensive linemen with the loosest eye. I’m a little less concerned with the placement of each step and the mechanics of every movement at the combine because the prospects themselves are more worried about blazing through the drills. When the pop-up bags are introduced, though, I do pay attention to a prospect’s ability to turn corners and the quickness of their hand movement.
In the NFL, pass rushers don’t have time to reach out wide and swing wildly to execute a club move, or to sloppily spin for a counter move. So defensive linemen who stay efficient while they zip through the bags will check a box. Keep a close eye on how each player looks striking those bags and on which guys appear to be most explosive and comfortable bending around the edge.

• Linebackers usually don’t have the benefit of sprinting until the ball has been thrown or handed off, or until one of their keys gives them a clue to the play before it happens. Because of the if-then requirements of the position, I’m always keyed in to how fluid each linebacker is with his hips and feet. The guys who stumble or have to chop their feet longer than others are usually tight in the hips and, therefore, lack the agility to transition from playing the pass after run fakes to tracking the ball out to the perimeter and positioning their bodies well enough to make tackles in space.
I wouldn’t worry so much about the “agiles” — those bags that look like speed bumps on the ground — but I would be locked into every drill that asks linebackers to execute a series of shuffle-then-sprint changes. You don’t want to see players dragging their feet when they shuffle. You also don’t want to see them stepping far outside the frame of their body to change directions or constantly shifting their hip depth. Mechanically, you cannot play fast if you’re always going between leaning/squatting and an upright running position.

• The defensive backs’ drills are the most important of all, because of how similar the athletic profiles can be between players. Every one of the DB drills incorporates a transition of some kind, and simulating coverage through the different phases of a route can be telling.
When players are pedaling and opening down the line, look for those who can get their hips turned the furthest without their chin turning in kind. In the “M” drill (DBs backpedal, then sprint five yards at a time), try to watch for a prospect’s hip depth and how efficient their feet are.
Playing defensive back is similar to playing offensive line, in that generating power and speed can only happen when you can get your feet out of the air and into the turf. The fastest transitions happen by stepping down, not out or back. It’s evident which guys have poor balance in their transition from seeing how long their front foot hangs in the air as they go from pedaling to sprinting.
Ringo and Porter can quiet criticism about their coverage ability by transitioning through drills smoothly, while Gonzalez should be able to wow the viewing public with how well he moves at his size.
Click to expand...
And sometimes Combine performances can be a distraction, or even misleading when what's the right decision or pick to make.
Perhaps one of he best contemporary examples of that may last year and what the Jags did with their first overall pick.
Travon Walker was a true freak @ 270 some lbs with 35 " arm length while running a 4.51 40 and then shorty and slow-footed Aida Hutchison measured in with a 31 " arm length and crawled to a 4.74 40.
So as we know the Jags took the work-out warrior while picking right after them at #2 Detroit took the hometown edge rush Hutchison.
Anyway one of them had 3.5 sacks and the other had 9.5 sacks in their rookie year, but granted it's just one year and not a career.
 
leebigeztx said:
But you blast Stroud because of his agent.
Click to expand...
Apples and oranges.

One kid made a mistake and frankly isn't responsible for this tragedy.

The other is an agent who helpwd a pervert beat 25 sexual assault charges.

But you already know this. Thanks for bringing the subject up so we can put crap like this to bed.
 
leebigeztx said:
What does winning a team award have to do with pro potential? Look at how many Bama title teams that had high draft picks that have been avg in the nfl. When you draft a player top 5, you want an all pro caliber player. In my opinion, I don't see it with Carter. He takes alot of plays off and was a non factor in alot of games. He has an inconsistent motor. Even though I don't think Anderson will be an elite pass rusher, I do think his consistent play will make him a higher ceiling performer.
Click to expand...
When you're the best DL on those teams and those teams had 2 successful 1st rd picks in last years draft it matters.

I see Anderson as a Justin Houston type player as his floor.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
I found this article which should serve as a very helpful guide to understanding Combine numbers.

*****************************************************************************************

NFL combine player defensive drills: How to scout and understand the workouts
INDIANAPOLIS — Based on your vantage point, the NFL Scouting Combine serves different purposes.
For a member of a coaching or personnel staff, the week provides official height and weight measurements for prospects as well as complete physical assessments and a venue for conducting intensive (and important) face-to-face interviews. For players, this is one of the first opportunities to showcase themselves without wearing their college colors. There’s no sports information director in Indianapolis to redirect or bat away the press during media sessions, so what you hear from the prospects is usually a reflection of training and preparation (or lack thereof) by their inner circle.
And for fans, the part of the process they’re able to consume comes in the measurements and on-field drills. Those workouts — should a player choose to participate — still serve as an important data point in understanding the kind of athlete each prospect is and can be.
But what’s most important? What does it all mean in a prospect’s evaluation? As defensive linemen and linebackers kick off drills Thursday, The Athletic is here to help you understand what you’re seeing on the defensive side of the ball, with a quick guide for judging how those prospects perform.
(All measurable and athletic testing averages are via Marcus Armstrong at MockDraftable.com.)
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
NFL combine roundtable: What our draft experts are tracking in Indianapolis this week
Measurables
Interior defensive linemen: The average height and weight for defensive tackles entering the league is 6-foot-3, 306 pounds. Weighing in below 300 pounds makes it more likely that a prospect will be projected as a three-technique in the NFL (think Aaron Donald); weighing more than 320 pounds would point toward a future as a nose tackle (think Linval Joseph).
In both scenarios, there’s added pressure to perform at a high level athletically, relative to size. This year, Clemson’s Bryan Bresee — a potential top-15 pick — likely will measure in around 6-6 and 315 pounds, which would make him an ideal size to play defensive tackle in a 3-4.
Edge defenders: The average pass rusher steps on the scales in Indianapolis at 265 pounds and stands 6-3. Teams consider wingspan and arm length with every defensive position, but it draws more attention at edge. The average wingspan there is about 80 inches (6-foot-8), which is vital because edge rushers have to use that length to keep tackles at bay and create necessary angles to turn corners and win the edge.
Edge rushers with shorter arms, or that weigh closer to the 240-pound range, have to show high-level athletic traits elsewhere. Georgia’s Nolan Smith, for example, may not clear the 250-pound mark in Indianapolis (although, he might get there by his pro day). He’ll need to prove he has the necessary speed to make up for a lack of heft.
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
2023 NFL Mock Draft: Three rounds, Carolina and Washington move up
Off-ball linebackers: The average size at this spot is around 6-2, 240. Linebackers typically don’t have the longest wingspans, so you don’t hear quite as much consternation if a prospect lacks length. Linebackers are often discussed with esoteric terms like “feel for the game” and “instincts,” but the best players are usually the most explosive athletes.
That said, a player at this position who can’t clear the 230-pound threshold should set off some alarms — they’d need dominant tape and athleticism for NFL teams to look past it. Clemson’s Trenton Simpson and Arkansas’ Drew Sanders embody the prototypical size, while Texas’ DeMarvion Overshown and Alabama’s Henry To’oTo’o are guys I have worries about.
Safeties: Your typical safety will step in at the combine around 6-0, 207. When we talk athletic traits further down, we’ll cover the importance of range, but I’ve found myself considering wingspan (the average is 75 inches) more and more in how I evaluate this position. Why? Because for safeties, so much of the modern game comes down to being able to erase mismatches, mistakes and airspace in coverage.
When watching a player like Detroit’s Kerby Joseph, for example, his 6-8 (80-inch) wingspan allows him to make plays on the ball and close ground in a way that he wouldn’t be able to consistently access otherwise. In this draft class, the length of Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson was apparent in his play and helped him be productive as a tackler and at batting passes.
Cornerbacks: The average numbers here are 5-11, 193. Wingspan is an obvious priority, too, with that mark landing around 75 inches (6-3). Be it playing close to the line of scrimmage or dealing with matchups against elite sprinters and route runners, it’s of the utmost importance that a corner’s wingspan buys them enough margin for error to properly read what an offense is trying to do.
This year’s tall corners — like Kelee Ringo, Christian Gonzalez and Joey Porter Jr. — will have an edge on the others in terms of body type.

Athletic testing
• The 3-cone is the holy grail when it comes to evaluating edge rushers. For the prospects who go through it, that drill simulates turning tight corners (what we call “bending”) and fighting through contact to finish at the intended destination. The average time for the 3-cone is 7.23 seconds. If you’re looking for elite pass-rushing potential, though, anything under seven seconds can make an edge significant money come draft time.
This class has more power rushers than bending, speed prospects, but the balance Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. has as a pass rusher should shine in this drill. Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV, meanwhile, is an undersized edge who could use a great 3-cone to stay in the top-50 conversation.
• For interior linemen and edge rushers, I care most about their explosion from a standstill position. That’s measured at the combine using 10-yard splits in the 40-yard dash. Analyzing the 10-yard split (1.75-second average for DTs; 1.65 for edges) alongside a player’s weight can paint a picture of how much force that prospect can generate taking on blocks, making tackles and (most importantly) getting after the quarterback.
Last year, Jordan Davis had a 1.68-second 10-yard split at 340 pounds, which is exactly how a nose tackle can wind up being a top-15 pick. This year, I’ll be interested to see how Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson, Clemson’s Myles Murphy and Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness stack up, because each of those likely Round 1 names was listed at 270-plus pounds in college. Having explosive power at that size usually bodes well for an edge rusher.

• There are ways other than speed tests to judge explosiveness for defensive-front players. The broad and vertical jumps are two drills that measure a prospect’s maximum output in a rep, and that can help illuminate a player’s power coming out of his stance. For edge rushers, the average vertical is 33 inches and the average broad jump is 9 feet, 7 inches; for defensive tackles, those marks are 29 inches and 8 feet, 9 inches, respectively.
Edges who clear a 36-inch vertical or 10-foot broad jump catch my (and the league’s) eye. I think Anderson will accomplish both. Michigan’s Mazi Smith also has been on my radar since I read about him in Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List” and I hear his jumps will be remarkable, given his weight.
• As a former college linebacker and current high school defensive coach, I find I can be an unnecessarily harsh critic of players at the linebacker position. But you can’t turn away from pure athletic gifts.
The short shuttle (a 20-yard, change-of-direction drill), in combination with the 40 and broad jump, gives a clear picture of a few things:
    • How well a linebacker can maintain speed as he shifts his hip depth, hip angle and his direction.
    • A linebacker’s top speed, which simulates how well he can close to the ball.
    • How explosive he can be getting to his spots once he makes his read, and if there’s potential to be an effective tackler.
The average shuttle time for linebackers is 4.3 seconds, the average 40 is 4.71 seconds, and the average broad jump is 9 feet, 8 inches.
Oregon’s Noah Sewell is one prospect who needs to show me something in that package of drills to calm concerns about his viability as a modern linebacker. On film, he doesn’t always change directions smoothly, and I’m unsure what his top speed actually can be.
go-deeper
GO DEEPER
2023 NFL Draft Consensus Big Board 3.0: Which prospects crack the top 100?
• Of course, one of the more entertaining aspects of the combine is tracking those 40 times — especially to see which guys can sneak under the 4.4-second threshold. Defensive backs regularly rise to the occasion. Because the baseline of speed is already so high with corners and safeties, I care most about eliminating outliers (4.6-second 40 runners rarely thrive at corner in the NFL) and looking to see whether the speed translates into other explosiveness metrics (broad and vertical jumps).
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon has been gaining traction in the pre-draft process. If he can run in the 4.4 range, jump 36-plus inches in the vertical and go longer than 10 feet in the broad jump, he can secure his stock as a true high-level athlete at the position.

Position-specific drills
• Of all the position drills, I probably watch those attempted by the defensive linemen with the loosest eye. I’m a little less concerned with the placement of each step and the mechanics of every movement at the combine because the prospects themselves are more worried about blazing through the drills. When the pop-up bags are introduced, though, I do pay attention to a prospect’s ability to turn corners and the quickness of their hand movement.
In the NFL, pass rushers don’t have time to reach out wide and swing wildly to execute a club move, or to sloppily spin for a counter move. So defensive linemen who stay efficient while they zip through the bags will check a box. Keep a close eye on how each player looks striking those bags and on which guys appear to be most explosive and comfortable bending around the edge.

• Linebackers usually don’t have the benefit of sprinting until the ball has been thrown or handed off, or until one of their keys gives them a clue to the play before it happens. Because of the if-then requirements of the position, I’m always keyed in to how fluid each linebacker is with his hips and feet. The guys who stumble or have to chop their feet longer than others are usually tight in the hips and, therefore, lack the agility to transition from playing the pass after run fakes to tracking the ball out to the perimeter and positioning their bodies well enough to make tackles in space.
I wouldn’t worry so much about the “agiles” — those bags that look like speed bumps on the ground — but I would be locked into every drill that asks linebackers to execute a series of shuffle-then-sprint changes. You don’t want to see players dragging their feet when they shuffle. You also don’t want to see them stepping far outside the frame of their body to change directions or constantly shifting their hip depth. Mechanically, you cannot play fast if you’re always going between leaning/squatting and an upright running position.

• The defensive backs’ drills are the most important of all, because of how similar the athletic profiles can be between players. Every one of the DB drills incorporates a transition of some kind, and simulating coverage through the different phases of a route can be telling.
When players are pedaling and opening down the line, look for those who can get their hips turned the furthest without their chin turning in kind. In the “M” drill (DBs backpedal, then sprint five yards at a time), try to watch for a prospect’s hip depth and how efficient their feet are.
Playing defensive back is similar to playing offensive line, in that generating power and speed can only happen when you can get your feet out of the air and into the turf. The fastest transitions happen by stepping down, not out or back. It’s evident which guys have poor balance in their transition from seeing how long their front foot hangs in the air as they go from pedaling to sprinting.
Ringo and Porter can quiet criticism about their coverage ability by transitioning through drills smoothly, while Gonzalez should be able to wow the viewing public with how well he moves at his size.
Click to expand...
This is why I'm terrible at evaluating CB's.
 
Thorn said:
While I agree with your sentiments about not taking a QB high this year, I'll bet that's exactly what they do.
Click to expand...
Of course that's what they're going to do. Probably Young will be the pick

History is repeating itself.

Ownership? Smdh
 
steelbtexan said:
I don't think anybody is saying don't get a QB this yr. I think they're saying get a QB in FA, draft a QB late this year and draft one of the 3-4 QB's that are better than this yrs class. Don't force the pick.
Click to expand...
How in the freaking heck is that forcing the pick? That doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. If they draft a quarterback high it will be because on their board he’s the best player. And that’s who they all want at that particular pick.
 
Texansballer74 said:
How in the freaking heck is that forcing the pick? That doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. If they draft a quarterback high it will be because on their board he’s the best player. And that’s who they all want at that particular pick.
Click to expand...
Depends on what they think of the QB class. I think that's forcing a pick like they did with Carr, you don't and that's fine.

Gotta put butts in the seats. That's the McNair legacy.
 
badboy said:
Yes! His skills and football knowledge should not be a concern but if some of us, me included, voice concern over drafting Stingley then we should do same for Young, all the QBs, Carter, Tyree, etc. Same rules for all. History of Texans medical staff should have us all covering our eyes and cringing.
Click to expand...

I think he missed one game in college. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong on that, I'm going purely on memory.

Regardless, there is almost zero comparison to be made between Sting and Young. All players get beat up to some degree. You're talking about a lisfranc for a corner. And feet are kind of important for a corner. This is a corner who consistently lost game time, who consistently was undergoing surgery, who consistently was descending instead of ascending when he did play, and who was taken because of measurables, his so-called scheme versatility, and a freshman season for the ages. It was based on "potential". They went for the two birds in the bush, when they should have drafted the bird in the hand as the Jets did. They got too cute, over-thought it and blew the pick as I predicted before it all happened.

Using Sting as a comparable to Young is just flat-out wrong on all levels and it's a reach by those who are fearful. If you act upon fear, that's when you miss greatness. A lot of teams were afraid of Mahomes too. If you want to reach the stars, you have to aim for the stars. If you miss, you reload and try again. You don't just say oh well...next time, I'll just aim for the lowest cloud I can find. That's a recipe for aimlessness and mediocrity.
 
Levis is a potential bust. If you're going to the combine to sport your arm strength, that's a red flag for me. Not going to go into great detail, but I have my reasons. That said, if you don't draft a guy at two and Levis is at 12...I probably bite on his potential and cross my fingers. It's boom or bust with him and he'll be a turnover machine for a season or two.

For me...Richardson is high-risk to bust. He's got huge upside. So did a lot of others. If he lands in the right spot and the team is patient...you might hit big. But in this case, the risks outweigh the potential as a first-rounder. If you get into the 2nd, probably worth the risk. I'd avoid both of those guys at 2, and in the case of Richardson...also at 12.

If I'm going to "settle" for a QB at 2, or after a trade down a few spots, it's for CJ. I think Stroud has a nice game and will be a very solid, but somewhat unspectacular pro. His tangibles are mostly good to excellent, but intangibles are only fair to me.

But he's probably the safest QB pick in this draft and I'd be fine with him. I see a Derek Carr or Justin Herbert type player. You can win with that guy, but you need to build to his strengths and add playmakers around him over the next year or two because he's not a playmaker at QB. He's going to distribute the ball to his playmakers, and show good accuracy and timing. Good player for the kind of system I envision - but an iffy "franchise" QB - which is subjective of course.

Hooker - needs a lot of development on the mental side of the game, and you've got the ACL, so not before the 2nd rd...and a very good value in the 3rd.

The only other guy I see out there is one Bryce Young. The best player at his position in this draft by far for me, with the upside (although different stylistically) of a Richardson, while having the high floor of Stroud. The best choice BY FAR for the Texans at 1.2. If I have to, and it's reasonable, I'm trading up to 1.1 to ensure I get him.

The other candidates? Anderson I see as a high floor player, but I'm not sure I see total stud as a pass rusher. I think he'll have a very good career, but not spectacular. He also might be a little better suited as an OLB in a true 3-4. If Young is out at 1.1, I've got a tough decision between Anderson and Stroud...or trying to trade down a few spots.

As for Carter, I'm not very high on him. If he's there at 1.12, I'm compelled to take him for his physical gifts, but considering his gifts, he just doesn't translate them to the field consistently enough to convince me he is that true stud you're looking for. I see a possible bust or might never move beyond average where people always talk about his potential...but he never reaches it. He has to become a guy that loves what he does and works his ass off. I see a guy that's floating along on his reputation and may never reach his huge potential. He'll make an eye-popping play and then take the next ten off. He's a higher-end version of Travis Johnson to me. So, no for sure at 1.2...and this eval is without considering his possible maturity/decision-making issues.
 
TexansBull said:
Man, I was willing to look past the whole agent thing but then he says something so stupid. I wonder if that was planned to make sure Houston didn’t draft him or if he is just that dumb? Mission accomplished if so.
Click to expand...

I think he's talking about their games, although ironically...what those guys do/did, doesn't really compute to me as that is not CJ's style. So, it is a bit of a head-scratcher. I am not removing him from my board, but it's certainly one little piece of a large puzzle to consider...just like his agent. I don't remove him due to his agent, but it's a puzzle piece.
 
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