Awtysst's Final 2011 Mock Draft

[awtysst]

That's it. I am not doing another one. Rather than try to predict what will happen, I will tell you what I would do. Will the Texans do what I say, I seriously doubt it. If you are looking for a prediction of what they will do, you came to th wrong place. If, on the other hand, you are looking to see what I would do, then come on in.

If I was the Texans GM, I would trade down. I think acquiring extra picks is immensely important for this team. While some say the draft is top heavy, I think the real value is in the 3rd and fourth rounds this year. With that in mind, Texans GM Awtysst trades the #11 2011 pick to the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins in turn trade #15(first round), #121(4th round), and #153 (5th round). The math is very comparable. Miami moves up to grab Alton Smith.

1. Brooks Reed, OLB- Arizona
He is shooting up the board and in the 15 spot may be the BPA. He represents excellent value and would be in a position of need as well. Could be our Clay Matthews III. He moves directly into the starting lineup.

2. Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
Everyone wants the Texans to sign Ike Taylor from Pitt in the FA season. Well, here is the guy who reminds me the most of Ike Taylor. Ras is a big physical CB, with good speed, and good hands. He can play man or zone. He could be an immediate starter and would shift Quinn to Saftey next to Troy Nolan. This pick gives us 2 starters (Dowling at CB and Quinn at Saftey).

3. Chris Carter, OLB, Fresno State
I will double dip at OLB because we have no idea what we really have here. We are banking on Barwin being ready, but who knows if he will be? Carter provides us an instant edge rushing threat. He is a high motor pass rush specialist that can learn the run stopping along the way. He would be part of the pass rush packages.

4a. Casey Matthews, ILB, Oregon
We have no idea if Meco will be ready to go when he returns. Will Meco be the same? I hope so, but we don't know. In a best case sceanrio, Matthews becomes a key depth player and can spell Meco or Cush in the ILB spot. In a Worst case scenario he competes for a starter spot since Meco is not ready to go. He has excellent bloodlines and draws favorable comparison to Zach Thomas.

4b. Kendrick Ellis NT Hampton
Slight character issue, but I will take the prototypical NT here. This is the kind of NT Phillips really likes. He is a big boy who can move a bit. He would not start immediately, but give him some time with Wade and he will see playing time this year.

5a. Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State
A good size receiver, good hands, reasonable speed a potential compliment for AJ. A very solid #2 receiver. He is similar to Kevin Walter, but he is a bit faster.

5b. Lawrence Guy, DE, Arizona State
This is one of the best 3-4 DE draft classes of all time. In a normal draft, Guy would probably be a 2nd rounder, but in this draft class with the likes of Jordan, Watt, Wilkerson, Heyward, Bailey, Ballard, and Jenkins, he drops to the fifth. No problem, I'll take him. He is a bit raw, but give him some time and I would not be surprised to see him as a starter on Defense in the future.

6. Bruce Miller, OLB, Central Florida
The pass rush ability from a 3-4 is EXTREMELY important. I know this is my third OLB, but great teams bring tremendous pressure all the time. Having multiple pass rushers allows you to do that. Right now the Texans have maybe 1 OLB in Barwin. With my draft they have maybe 4. Extra pass rushers allow you to create exotic blitz packages that confuse opposing team offenses. Miller is a high motor pass rusher with little to no run stopping ability. He is a smart guy and can learn to be adequate in time. Till then, he is another high motor pass rusher.

7. Chris Neild, NT, West Virginia
Another fun project for Wade. NT is such an important position, I think we need to consider a couple of prospects there. Neld is more of a clogging NT than Ellis and woulpd give Wade an additional wrinkle if he can develop him.

7. Pat Devlin, QB, Delaware
A nice QB project for Kubiak. Yeah, I know. Kubiak may not be here long, but I will take a chance in the Might take a year or two, but Devlin could be our future backup. He has good size, great arm strength, reasonable accuracy, and has a quick release. Problem is, he tends to hold the ball a bit too long despite his quick release. Teach him not to do that and he would be a great backup. Just what Kubiak needs to bolster his resume as an OC/QB guru as he dusts off his resume at the end of the season.

 

[Ole Miss Texan]

I love it for the most part. Love the trade down with Miami so we don't move to far and pick up one of my absolute favorites: Brooks Reed. I think he's a guy that Kubiak/McNair/Smith/Wade are going to really like working with and if they don't select him, they'll wish they had.

Not a big Dowling fan but would rather target another CB in the 2nd. I question how much he would impact as a rookie, and his ankle injury last year could be a big part of that. If we were to get a FA CB like Ike Taylor and could ease R-I D into the line up, it could pay off down the road.

I also love the Carter selection. Wade coached him in the Shrine game I can definitely see this selection. Who knows where these prospects are going to fall but if Wade really thinks highly of him, I could almost see him going in the 2nd. Too much to ask for another trade down I guess though! I think Carter would be awesome backup OLB for Barwin/Reed and could also see time at ILB.

I really like your Miller pick later in the draft, I think he's a guy that will find a way to just stick on the team and do whatever is asked. I hate to compare him to Diles b/c so many people are down on him... but the dude was a 7th round pick and just finds ways to stay on the field, even after injury. I respect that. Matthews is another LB I really like... not really a fan of drafting 4 LBs in the draft... but you need a ton of depth there when running the 3-4 so why not!?

I'll come right out and say I don't like Ellis. But hell he's got so much potential. And to figure he's a "free" player from the trade to get Reed. Mid 4th round I'd support this flyer pick and see if Wade can develop him on/off the field. I'm a big fan of Neild at NT too, I'm glad to see you got him in here. Mitchell, Cody, Ellis, Neild would give us awesome depth and the ability to rotate.

Pettis sounds like a guy the Colts would select - so lets take him from them! Another good depth selection with guy to develop at DE. And Devlin, I don't think he lasts that far but goes earlier. Would be an awesome pick up for Kubiak to work with b/c he's got a ton of potential and Kubes could really develop him.

Very VERY nice mock and would really like the draft to fall this way.

 

[kiwitexansfan]

After drafting for the Dolphins I don't think they trade up when chances are there most popular projected pick and arguably biggest need will be there at 15 if not later in the form of Mark Ingram.

Anyway, doesn't really matter who knows with trades.

We could trade up to #1 for a bag of gym socks.

 

[mussop]

After drafting for the Dolphins I don't think they trade up when chances are there most popular projected pick and arguably biggest need will be there at 15 if not later in the form of Mark Ingram.

Anyway, doesn't really matter who knows with trades.

We could trade up to #1 for a bag of gym socks.

I dont think any RB will get picked in the first round. If they do it will be late and most likely will be Mikel Leshoure RB Illinois. Running Backs have short shelf lives and Ingram has knee problems and has never really been a work horse back. On top of that teams are having more and more success drafting quality RB's later in the draft.

 

[steelbtexan]

That's it. I am not doing another one. Rather than try to predict what will happen, I will tell you what I would do. Will the Texans do what I say, I seriously doubt it. If you are looking for a prediction of what they will do, you came to th wrong place. If, on the other hand, you are looking to see what I would do, then come on in.

If I was the Texans GM, I would trade down. I think acquiring extra picks is immensely important for this team. While some say the draft is top heavy, I think the real value is in the 3rd and fourth rounds this year. With that in mind, Texans GM Awtysst trades the #11 2011 pick to the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins in turn trade #15(first round), #121(4th round), and #153 (5th round). The math is very comparable. Miami moves up to grab Alton Smith.

1. Brooks Reed, OLB- Arizona
He is shooting up the board and in the 15 spot may be the BPA. He represents excellent value and would be in a position of need as well. Could be our Clay Matthews III. He moves directly into the starting lineup.

2. Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
Everyone wants the Texans to sign Ike Taylor from Pitt in the FA season. Well, here is the guy who reminds me the most of Ike Taylor. Ras is a big physical CB, with good speed, and good hands. He can play man or zone. He could be an immediate starter and would shift Quinn to Saftey next to Troy Nolan. This pick gives us 2 starters (Dowling at CB and Quinn at Saftey).

3. Chris Carter, OLB, Fresno State
I will double dip at OLB because we have no idea what we really have here. We are banking on Barwin being ready, but who knows if he will be? Carter provides us an instant edge rushing threat. He is a high motor pass rush specialist that can learn the run stopping along the way. He would be part of the pass rush packages.

4a. Casey Matthews, ILB, Oregon
We have no idea if Meco will be ready to go when he returns. Will Meco be the same? I hope so, but we don't know. In a best case sceanrio, Matthews becomes a key depth player and can spell Meco or Cush in the ILB spot. In a Worst case scenario he competes for a starter spot since Meco is not ready to go. He has excellent bloodlines and draws favorable comparison to Zach Thomas.

4b. Kendrick Ellis NT Hampton
Slight character issue, but I will take the prototypical NT here. This is the kind of NT Phillips really likes. He is a big boy who can move a bit. He would not start immediately, but give him some time with Wade and he will see playing time this year.

5a. Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State
A good size receiver, good hands, reasonable speed a potential compliment for AJ. A very solid #2 receiver. He is similar to Kevin Walter, but he is a bit faster.

5b. Lawrence Guy, DE, Arizona State
This is one of the best 3-4 DE draft classes of all time. In a normal draft, Guy would probably be a 2nd rounder, but in this draft class with the likes of Jordan, Watt, Wilkerson, Heyward, Bailey, Ballard, and Jenkins, he drops to the fifth. No problem, I'll take him. He is a bit raw, but give him some time and I would not be surprised to see him as a starter on Defense in the future.

6. Bruce Miller, OLB, Central Florida
The pass rush ability from a 3-4 is EXTREMELY important. I know this is my third OLB, but great teams bring tremendous pressure all the time. Having multiple pass rushers allows you to do that. Right now the Texans have maybe 1 OLB in Barwin. With my draft they have maybe 4. Extra pass rushers allow you to create exotic blitz packages that confuse opposing team offenses. Miller is a high motor pass rusher with little to no run stopping ability. He is a smart guy and can learn to be adequate in time. Till then, he is another high motor pass rusher.

7. Chris Neild, NT, West Virginia
Another fun project for Wade. NT is such an important position, I think we need to consider a couple of prospects there. Neld is more of a clogging NT than Ellis and woulpd give Wade an additional wrinkle if he can develop him.

7. Pat Devlin, QB, Delaware
A nice QB project for Kubiak. Yeah, I know. Kubiak may not be here long, but I will take a chance in the Might take a year or two, but Devlin could be our future backup. He has good size, great arm strength, reasonable accuracy, and has a quick release. Problem is, he tends to hold the ball a bit too long despite his quick release. Teach him not to do that and he would be a great backup. Just what Kubiak needs to bolster his resume as an OC/QB guru as he dusts off his resume at the end of the season.

Really like your mock, You need NT's and LB's if you're going to run a 3-4. This mock addresses this. Love the Miller/Guy/Neild picks.

The only changes I would make are

1. House over Dowling
2. Pronski orLeGree over Pettis
3.Dwayne Harris or Ricardo Lockette over Devlin

 

[kiwitexansfan]

I dont think any RB will get picked in the first round. If they do it will be late and most likely will be Mikel Leshoure RB Illinois. Running Backs have short shelf lives and Ingram has knee problems and has never really been a work horse back. On top of that teams are having more and more success drafting quality RB's later in the draft.

I agree that if Ingram is not the Dolphins choice he might slip, but nearly all mocks have Ingram as the pick

FWIW, I took Newton for them in our mock. He won't be there though in the real thing.

 

[Corrosion]

Those first five picks are money .... I'd be doing cartwheels if the Texans could come away from this draft with that group.


ILB is such a questionmark .... Nice to see someone else concerned enough to address it in a mock.

 

[drs23]

Those first five picks are money .... I'd be doing cartwheels if the Texans could come away from this draft with that group.


ILB is such a questionmark .... Nice to see someone else concerned enough to address it in a mock.

So true. Hope they do.

So steelb, are ya gonna be happy if they select D. House? I would be as well. I think he's gonna be a player.

 

[Mr teX]

I like Brooks Reed, i just don't like selecting him at 11...or 15 for that matter. Late 1st at the earliest imo.... & the reason for this is exactly b/c of what you cited why we should pick him...folks looking to hit a HR with visions of CM III in their heads.

I don't see the athletic freakishness that CM III showed at USC. Of course BR's body of work is waaayyyyy better than CM III's when he came out but in watching him i don't quite see him being as good as CM III. You could just tell by watching CM III...he was getting ready to come into his own as a player his last year @ USC..i don't get that with Reed.

Not say i don't think he'll be solid as a pro, just not a game changer like CM III.


Other than that, your mock looks pretty good.