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All encompassing 2022 draft thoughts thread

TheRealJoker said:
Lets talk the Tulsa OL prospects. Everybody knows about Tyler Smith and he would be a great fit as a mauling OG. But he’ll have to be taken at 37 (if he makes it there).

Lovie is a Tulsa alum and a former LB coach at that school. We know he has already reached out to them to ask about recent waiver wire acquisition Reggie Robinson and I suspect he’s inquired about their draft prospects as well.

The one I am focusing in on is Chris Paul. I could see him taken with one of the three sixths or packaged to move up into the fifth to get him if they are locked in on him.

Everything about him screams “culture fit, great locker room guy”. Plus he is from Houston.

He checks off the size/length boxes and is plenty athletic to play NFL OG. All of his cons look to be correctable with coaching (plays too high, inconsistent weight distribution in pass sets).

He was a four year starter at Tulsa (two at guard and two at tackle). I could see the Texans getting a blue chip prospect in the first to be immediately inserted into the starting lineup and then get a developmental guy like Paul in a later round that could beat out Scharping or Mccray for a roster spot then possibly win a starting spot next year.

Read this write up and tell me you can’t already hear Lovie and Caserio talking in their post draft press conference about how he “fits the culture”.


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https://twitter.com/x/status/1504862695329189890
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With an RAS score like that, he will be a sought after commodity on day 2.
 
My new favorite RB - Kyren Williams ND.
Kid has a NASTY step and great elusiveness.
Has good hands and field positioning for those dumpoffs.
Knows how to get small in heavy traffic and finds gaps.
Also has a nice don't argue fend.
Not sure about his blocking but he was used primarily as a weapon with his skill set.
 
Texansphan said:
My new favorite RB - Kyren Williams ND.
Kid has a NASTY step and great elusiveness.
Has good hands and field positioning for those dumpoffs.
Knows how to get small in heavy traffic and finds gaps.
Also has a nice don't argue fend.
Not sure about his blocking but he was used primarily as a weapon with his skill set.
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His 40 time was lower than expected. What’re your thoughts regarding that?
 
TexansFan15 said:
His 40 time was lower than expected. What’re your thoughts regarding that?
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Yeah thought about that but he looks to be fast enough and what he lacks in top end speed he makes up for with his shiftiness and toughness. If he ran around 4.4 flat, he likely is the top back off the board.
He improved his time to 4:54 at his pro day which is adequate - who knows, with some pro style sprint training, he might improve more.
 
Wow it's great to be a player in the Draft for a change. Not that I want my team to be picking in the top 5 every year but this year its' OK as we progress in our rebuild with two first round picks and like 10 or 11 picks in total.
The last couple years without a first or second round pick made for a really long offseason but with Draft getting thru April this year is not bad, but it's just that three-to-four month stretch during the offseason after the Draft until TC begins in August that's a real drag.
 
Texansphan said:
My new favorite RB - Kyren Williams ND.
Kid has a NASTY step and great elusiveness.
Has good hands and field positioning for those dumpoffs.
Knows how to get small in heavy traffic and finds gaps.
Also has a nice don't argue fend.
Not sure about his blocking but he was used primarily as a weapon with his skill set.
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Good find, but I don't think he'll fit our offense.

He'd do much better on a team that can create gaps & win on the LOS.
 
I've been hearing much the same.

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Jets, Ravens Meet With Kayvon Thibodeaux; DE’s Stock Still Dropping?
April 2nd, 2022 at 3:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kayvon Thibodeaux has gone from potential No. 1 overall pick to a player who has generated considerable scrutiny during the pre-draft process. The Oregon edge rusher may now fall out of the top 10.

The tree-year Ducks defensive end is expected to be drafted outside the top five, per ESPN.com’s Matt Miller, who adds a drop out of the top 10 would not shock (ESPN+ link). A half-dozen scouts informed Miller

Thibodeaux did not impress in Combine interviews with their respective teams, which echoes a report last month indicating a draft tumble might ensue for the talented sack artist.

Effort level has come up regarding Thibodeaux’s status as a prospect among front office personnel and scouts, Miller adds. Thibodeaux recorded three sacks in seven Oregon games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, one that saw other NFL-bound Ducks opt out. Last season, Thibodeaux suffered a sprained ankle in September and finished with seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Certainly not poor numbers, but Thibodeaux’s junior-year production has not offset the concerns about his motor and attitude.
 
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Giants Have Done “A Ton Of Work” On OT Charles Cross
April 3rd, 2022 at 12:05pm CST by Rory Parks

The Giants, who hold the No. 5 and No. 7 overall selections in this month’s draft, are well-positioned to address two of their biggest needs — offensive tackle and edge rusher — with a top collegiate prospect. Per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, Big Blue has done “a ton of work” on Mississippi State tackle Charles Cross, one of the top OTs in the class.

Cross is not considered to be on the same level as Alabama tackle Evan Neal or NC State blocker Ikem Ekwonu in terms of overall talent, but one scouting source told Dunleavy that Neal and Cross are the best pure left tackles in the class. While all three prospects project well at right tackle, Ekwonu is better-suited to the right side, and he also has the ceiling of an elite guard.

There is a chance that Neal and Ekwonu, or at least one of the pair, will be available for the Giants when they are on the clock with the No. 5 pick. In that scenario, New York could take the highest-rated OL on its board, or it could simply opt to fill a different need, secure in the knowledge that one of those two players and/or Cross will still be there for the taking at No. 7 (assuming, of course, that a club with a Top-4 selection does not nab Cross). But if the first four picks skew towards O-linemen rather than, say, pass rushers, then new GM Joe Schoen may need to pounce on a protector for QB Daniel Jones.

If he ends up with Cross, an accomplished pass blocker who would complete a strong bookend with 2020 first-rounder Andrew Thomas, Schoen should be happy, regardless of which pick he uses. In 719 pass-blocking snaps in 2021, Cross allowed just 16 pressures.
 
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Texian said:
Some opted out of doing Combine drills because the NFL pushed the Combine drills to late in the day to prime time on their day 4. Many players felt that at the end of 4 very long days they would be able to perform at a higher standard when they home at their pro day when fresh and well rested.
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Probably works for both reasons.
 
I may be an outlier here, but I honestly believe Mills would be a 1st rounder this year had he stayed in college. We got him a year early with a 3rd rounder. That being said I think you have to surround him with talent. The first 3 rounds need to be used on offense. Then Mills can be truly evaluated. The defense would have been better last year if they weren't on the field all the damn time.

I do not want to spend a 1st round pick on a QB next year if it is determined Mills is the QB. You will never determine if Mills is the guy unless you give him a decent OL and some weapons. I would prefer to trade down out of 3, pick up and OL like Cross, a top WR, RB, and TE. Maybe a guard. Then go defense.

Hopefully this will prove Mills is the guy. The QB class looks much better next year. This allows the Texans to possibly trade back next year and load up on defense. If not they draft a top QB and already have the offense set for the new QB. Everything else can be used on defense.

With next year's cap space the Texans can sign some veteran defensive players to help supplement the rookies. This team can be turned around by next year.
 
Xopher said:
I may be an outlier here, but I honestly believe Mills would be a 1st rounder this year had he stayed in college. We got him a year early with a 3rd rounder. That being said I think you have to surround him with talent. The first 3 rounds need to be used on offense. Then Mills can be truly evaluated. The defense would have been better last year if they weren't on the field all the damn time.

I do not want to spend a 1st round pick on a QB next year if it is determined Mills is the QB. You will never determine if Mills is the guy unless you give him a decent OL and some weapons. I would prefer to trade down out of 3, pick up and OL like Cross, a top WR, RB, and TE. Maybe a guard. Then go defense.

Hopefully this will prove Mills is the guy. The QB class looks much better next year. This allows the Texans to possibly trade back next year and load up on defense. If not they draft a top QB and already have the offense set for the new QB. Everything else can be used on defense.

With next year's cap space the Texans can sign some veteran defensive players to help supplement the rookies. This team can be turned around by next year.
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I’d rather stay at 3 unless there’s an offer that can’t miss. Or swap spots with Jets or Giants knowing one of my targets will be there and they are rated closely on Texans’ board. I’d rather trade back at 13 if i’m trading back. Two possible franchise LTs (who can play OG or RT while Tunsil is here) a shutdown CB, a “generational” safety, edge rusher galore… Nope I want my blue chip prospect at 3. Then open up the shop at 13 and go BPA.

Nick said he’ll go down swingin. Let him pick “his bpa” at 3 and prove it before he starts moving around.
 
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There is chatter that three teams; Carolina at 6, Atlanta at 8 and Seattle at 9; may take a QB. And the jury is out whether the Giants will stay put with Daniel Jones or draft his replacement. There is also chatter Seattle may want to trade up to get "their man". Unless teams are willing to settle for any one of the three top QB's, they will have to be considering they may be leapfrogged. To prevent this, our #3 is the position they need to be in. I'd take a trade down with any of these four teams and still be in the top 10.
 
Number19 said:
There is chatter that three teams; Carolina at 6, Atlanta at 8 and Seattle at 9; may take a QB. And the jury is out whether the Giants will stay put with Daniel Jones or draft his replacement. There is also chatter Seattle may want to trade up to get "their man". Unless teams are willing to settle for any one of the three top QB's, they will have to be considering they may be leapfrogged. To prevent this, our #3 is the position they need to be in. I'd take a trade down with any of these four teams and still be in the top 10.
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I would add that there are a lot of respected syndicated mockers who have Lions taking Malik Willis. That would really throw a cat in among the pigeons.
With that in mind, other teams may offer Lions a nice trade.
In that scenario, it would likely mean:-
1. Jags take Hutchinson
2. Team X takes Malik Willis
3. Texans would now be looking at Evan Neal and Ahmed Gardner.
What a quandary.
 
Xopher said:
I may be an outlier here, but I honestly believe Mills would be a 1st rounder this year had he stayed in college. We got him a year early with a 3rd rounder. That being said I think you have to surround him with talent. The first 3 rounds need to be used on offense. Then Mills can be truly evaluated. The defense would have been better last year if they weren't on the field all the damn time.

I do not want to spend a 1st round pick on a QB next year if it is determined Mills is the QB. You will never determine if Mills is the guy unless you give him a decent OL and some weapons. I would prefer to trade down out of 3, pick up and OL like Cross, a top WR, RB, and TE. Maybe a guard. Then go defense.

Hopefully this will prove Mills is the guy. The QB class looks much better next year. This allows the Texans to possibly trade back next year and load up on defense. If not they draft a top QB and already have the offense set for the new QB. Everything else can be used on defense.

With next year's cap space the Texans can sign some veteran defensive players to help supplement the rookies. This team can be turned around by next year.
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They said the same about Barkley from USC and Hackenburg of PSU. He could've transferred like Rattler and improved his stock.
 
Texansphan said:
I would add that there are a lot of respected syndicated mockers who have Lions taking Malik Willis. That would really throw a cat in among the pigeons.
With that in mind, other teams may offer Lions a nice trade.
In that scenario, it would likely mean:-
1. Jags take Hutchinson
2. Team X takes Malik Willis
3. Texans would now be looking at Evan Neal and Ahmed Gardner.
What a quandary.
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Give me Neal. Like @steelbtexan he’s my number 1 player. He is a set it and forget it 10+ year starter.

You can argue about talent and positional value. Neal wont be starting LT as a rookie with Tunsil on team, but he’ll start somewhere whether its RT or OG and become the franchise LT once Tunsil leaves.

And I also have more confidence that Lovie can scheme up a competent secondary than I do the OL performs without blue chip talent. The OL is first priority for me and that gives Neal the edge as #1 BPA on my board.
 
With Tunsil and Howard set for this season and with 2 more seasons of building to be done….I think Lovie convinces Caserio to go Thibodeaux, if he’s on the board, or they trade out of the 3 spot if the offer they get is too good to stay put.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
With Tunsil and Howard set for this season and with 2 more seasons of building to be done….I think Lovie convinces Caserio to go Thibodeaux, if he’s on the board, or they trade out of the 3 spot if the offer they get is too good to stay put.
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Clearly you have not taken into account Laremy Tunsil's training camp season ending hang nail. Then what? By my account the top 3 OT will be gone pick 6.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
With Tunsil and Howard set for this season and with 2 more seasons of building to be done….I think Lovie convinces Caserio to go Thibodeaux, if he’s on the board, or they trade out of the 3 spot if the offer they get is too good to stay put.
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Lovie's defense is built around the front four getting to the QB. An edge player, rather than a db, is a reasonable projection.
 
Number19 said:
Lovie's defense is built around the front four getting to the QB. An edge player, rather than a db, is a reasonable projection.
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thunderkyss said:
Gotta be able to cover on the backend for the front four to get home.
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The way the Lovie's 4-3 D works is the front four have to get pressure on the QB in 3 sec or less in order for the D to have a chance to be successful.
 
TheRealJoker said:
Give me Neal. Like @steelbtexan he’s my number 1 player. He is a set it and forget it 10+ year starter.

You can argue about talent and positional value. Neal wont be starting LT as a rookie with Tunsil on team, but he’ll start somewhere whether its RT or OG and become the franchise LT once Tunsil leaves.

And I also have more confidence that Lovie can scheme up a competent secondary than I do the OL performs without blue chip talent. The OL is first priority for me and that gives Neal the edge as #1 BPA on my board.
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Tend to agree but still, it would be hard to pass on Sauce.
So, build that Oline and give Mills a better chance to succeed.
 
TheRealJoker said:
Give me Neal. Like @steelbtexan he’s my number 1 player. He is a set it and forget it 10+ year starter.

You can argue about talent and positional value. Neal wont be starting LT as a rookie with Tunsil on team, but he’ll start somewhere whether its RT or OG and become the franchise LT once Tunsil leaves.

And I also have more confidence that Lovie can scheme up a competent secondary than I do the OL performs without blue chip talent. The OL is first priority for me and that gives Neal the edge as #1 BPA on my board.
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Joe Thomas was that and they have 0 playoffs to show for it. Not arguing especially this team that needs talent, but Tunsil can be in that spot for 7 more years and is a probowl caliber player. The Texans don't have any other high end players on the roster except Tunsil and Cooks right now. Kinda like overkill and thats why an organization like Baltimore traded Brown for a 1st rd pick
 
leebigeztx said:
Joe Thomas was that and they have 0 playoffs to show for it. Not arguing especially this team that needs talent, but Tunsil can be in that spot for 7 more years and is a probowl caliber player. The Texans don't have any other high end players on the roster except Tunsil and Cooks right now. Kinda like overkill and thats why an organization like Baltimore traded Brown for a 1st rd pick
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Just because the Browns failed Joe Thomas by doing everything else horrible doesn’t mean you pass on a franchise LT prospect. The list of hall of fame OL on winning teams is much greater. Strange argument.
 
I still love me some Tyler Allgeier, RB out of BYU. In 2021 he had 4 games with over 190 yards. He ran an unimpressive 4.60 40 but Foster ran a 4.68. He's my favorite running back in this entire draft. LZ on Allgeier:

Well-built, highly productive zone-scheme runner with impressive vision and feel for the job. Allgeier is smooth and instinctive with one-cut talent. He effectively navigates the ebbs and flows of run lane development. He's more agile than twitchy and relies on his ability to quickly process. While he sees it clearly, his pace and burst can be a little hit-or-miss and might allow for NFL defenses to prevent the chunk play. Allgeier is clearly talented as a runner but will need to prove his explosiveness. He offers very little third-down value right now and could be tabbed as a solid backup in a move-based rush attack.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
With Tunsil and Howard set for this season and with 2 more seasons of building to be done….I think Lovie convinces Caserio to go Thibodeaux, if he’s on the board, or they trade out of the 3 spot if the offer they get is too good to stay put.
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I hope you're wrong,

I'm getting visions of Clowney all over again.

Clowney was my #1 rated guy that yr. I learned my lesson.
 
TheRealJoker said:
Just because the Browns failed Joe Thomas by doing everything else horrible doesn’t mean you pass on a franchise LT prospect. The list of hall of fame OL on winning teams is much greater. Strange argument.
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One person is not going to fix the Texans... but if they could, I'd bet on Gardner or Hamilton or Ekwonu being that guy. I want no part on Thibodeaux and Neal is a luxury that the Texans can't afford this year
 
banned1976 said:
I still love me some Tyler Allgeier, RB out of BYU. In 2021 he had 4 games with over 190 yards. He ran an unimpressive 4.60 40 but Foster ran a 4.68. He's my favorite running back in this entire draft. LZ on Allgeier:

Well-built, highly productive zone-scheme runner with impressive vision and feel for the job. Allgeier is smooth and instinctive with one-cut talent. He effectively navigates the ebbs and flows of run lane development. He's more agile than twitchy and relies on his ability to quickly process. While he sees it clearly, his pace and burst can be a little hit-or-miss and might allow for NFL defenses to prevent the chunk play. Allgeier is clearly talented as a runner but will need to prove his explosiveness. He offers very little third-down value right now and could be tabbed as a solid backup in a move-based rush attack.
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I like Allgeier alot. But Pep runs more of a power scheme than a ZBS scheme. Although I do believe there are some ZBS principles in Pep's offense.
 
TheRealJoker said:
Give me Neal. Like @steelbtexan
... I also have more confidence that Lovie can scheme up a competent secondary than I do the OL performs without blue chip talent. The OL is first priority for me and that gives Neal the edge as #1 BPA on my board.
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I agree, except I want Green to anchor the LG position. We have two #1's in both 2023 and 2024 to replace Tunsil when that time comes. If we don't trade down from #3, then Lovie needs to have his pick, because I want the rest of the picks to lean heavily offense.
 
JB said:
One person is not going to fix the Texans... but if they could, I'd bet on Gardner or Hamilton or Ekwonu being that guy. I want no part on Thibodeaux and Neal is a luxury that the Texans can't afford this year
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Why is Neal a luxury pick and Ekwonu isn't a luxury pick?
 
Number19 said:
I agree, except I want Green to anchor the LG position. We have two #1's in both 2023 and 2024 to replace Tunsil when that time comes. If we don't trade down from #3, then Lovie needs to have his pick, because I want the rest of the picks to lean heavily offense.
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I'm more about drafting the best player and that would be Neal. IMHO
 
Number19 said:
I agree, except I want Green to anchor the LG position. We have two #1's in both 2023 and 2024 to replace Tunsil when that time comes. If we don't trade down from #3, then Lovie needs to have his pick, because I want the rest of the picks to lean heavily offense.
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Gotta go where the board takes you. Just because you want to go offense after the first pick doesn’t mean they are the best value. The class is deep at DL, secondary and WR. There is going to be a significant drop off at other positions. “Luckily” the Texans could use players everywhere.
 
TheRealJoker said:
Gotta go where the board takes you. Just because you want to go offense after the first pick doesn’t mean they are the best value. The class is deep at DL, secondary and WR. There is going to be a significant drop off at other positions. “Luckily” the Texans could use players everywhere.
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I don't believe in BPA, or "best value". Once you get past the top 10, or so, you ask ten people who the bpa is and you're going to get 10 different answers. What you have, imo, are bubbles of players, all of whom are close to grading out similarly.

While there is no such thing as a sure thing, Green is about as close as you can come, with an all-pro ceiling. But I read today, and I can't verify its accuracy, that in the history of the draft, an OG has never been taken as high as the #3 pick. This is what separates Neil and Green.

Once out of the first round, those bubbles get increasingly larger.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
Giants Have Done “A Ton Of Work” On OT Charles Cross
April 3rd, 2022 at 12:05pm CST by Rory Parks

The Giants, who hold the No. 5 and No. 7 overall selections in this month’s draft, are well-positioned to address two of their biggest needs — offensive tackle and edge rusher — with a top collegiate prospect. Per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, Big Blue has done “a ton of work” on Mississippi State tackle Charles Cross, one of the top OTs in the class.

Cross is not considered to be on the same level as Alabama tackle Evan Neal or NC State blocker Ikem Ekwonu in terms of overall talent, but one scouting source told Dunleavy that Neal and Cross are the best pure left tackles in the class. While all three prospects project well at right tackle, Ekwonu is better-suited to the right side, and he also has the ceiling of an elite guard.

There is a chance that Neal and Ekwonu, or at least one of the pair, will be available for the Giants when they are on the clock with the No. 5 pick. In that scenario, New York could take the highest-rated OL on its board, or it could simply opt to fill a different need, secure in the knowledge that one of those two players and/or Cross will still be there for the taking at No. 7 (assuming, of course, that a club with a Top-4 selection does not nab Cross). But if the first four picks skew towards O-linemen rather than, say, pass rushers, then new GM Joe Schoen may need to pounce on a protector for QB Daniel Jones.

If he ends up with Cross, an accomplished pass blocker who would complete a strong bookend with 2020 first-rounder Andrew Thomas, Schoen should be happy, regardless of which pick he uses. In 719 pass-blocking snaps in 2021, Cross allowed just 16 pressures.
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Cross is the best pass blocker in the draft to me. He's probably going to a west coast system that will maximize his movement skills.
 
TheRealJoker said:
Just because the Browns failed Joe Thomas by doing everything else horrible doesn’t mean you pass on a franchise LT prospect. The list of hall of fame OL on winning teams is much greater. Strange argument.
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not really. Whitworth isn't a hall of famer and we know none of those tackles protecting Burrow are hall of fame tackles. Anyone going to the hof protecting Brady or Brees? Your line is a collective and none have to be hall of fame caliber because they work on a string. I'm not saying you should have the line Watson had when he was here, but a good offensive is paired with scheme and talent. The qb manipulates the oline unless their garbage.
 
steelbtexan said:
Why is Neal a luxury pick and Ekwonu isn't a luxury pick?
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both are a luxury imo. The difference is Ekwonu can be a great left guard who can slide out and be a good tackle. People tend to forget that Ogden played guard for a year or so before moving to tackle. I think Pace did the same. I personally see Neal as a guard also, but I do see why he's the top rated tackle if that means anything. I trust Lovie more than I trust any other person on this staff to get the most out of a talent on a side of the ball going off history. We don't know if Caserio was drafting or not in NE. Based on the last ten years, they didn't draft well at all, but we've seen Lovie have the 95 rams be the top rated defense as well as those old Bears defensive teams.
 
leebigeztx said:
both are a luxury imo. The difference is Ekwonu can be a great left guard who can slide out and be a good tackle. People tend to forget that Ogden played guard for a year or so before moving to tackle. I think Pace did the same. I personally see Neal as a guard also, but I do see why he's the top rated tackle if that means anything. I trust Lovie more than I trust any other person on this staff to get the most out of a talent on a side of the ball going off history. We don't know if Caserio was drafting or not in NE. Based on the last ten years, they didn't draft well at all, but we've seen Lovie have the 95 rams be the top rated defense as well as those old Bears defensive teams.
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I'm wanting to fix the OL with the best player in this draft (Neal) IMHO. He's also played OG/OT. Fix the run game and protect Mills better and the defense will be even better. (Dont want Icky) Just letting you know that I wont be disappointed if 1-3, 1-13, 2-37 are defensive players. As long as Caserio trades up and finds a dominant OG like Salyer or Ingram in the top 50. I'm also liking the Nebraska Center quite a bit.

Then use the other 3rd/4th rd picks to upgrade the skill positions.
 
JB said:
I don't think Neal is a fit at OG but that is Ekwonu's best fit and Neal will have to be taken at 3 and you can trade down a few and still get Ekwonu
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Makes sense, Neal did play OG in college and is very athletic for a man his size. I'm not worried about his ability to play OG. I'm more worried about Icky's ability to play OT and his balance issues than I am Neal's ability to play OG. Rarely is Neal off balance. The only real weakness I see in Neal's game is sometimes (Not always) he misses targets on the run on the 2nd level. But that rarely happens.
 
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