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BL Final 2018 Texan Mock Draft

beerlover

beerlover

Hall of Fame
Stick and pick no trade mock draft, first and only this off season, but with one week before 2018 NFL draft begins wanted to express my viewpoint of players that could help improve roster over the long term. Concur consensus, Texans need to hit on not just one but two OT prospects with great return value to protect Watson. Also adding more weapons and depth for Watson to develop around. Sticking by my assertion that a developmental back-up QB with similar style of game is way to go. Added two defensive players, late but addressing both interior line and secondary.

It's highly unusual, hopefully last time this happens that Texans will not have a first or second round selection, so I understand Texan fan base frustration or lack on interest in this years draft process. However, don't loose the faith, a draft well tailored to enhance pieces already in place, along with return of healthy starters will make this 2018 Texan roster competitive again!

#68. Brian O'Neill, LT, Pittsburg 6-7 300

meaureables and athletic ability (more than Nate Solder coming out of Colorado) who requires technique work and added strength, two things he gets as Texans franchise LT.

#80. Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana 6-4 260
huge need to upgrade position via draft. Ian reminds me of a young, raw Antonio Gates, more of a run blocker now but has fast twitch movement skills that will distinguish himself next level.

#98. Mark Walton, RB, Miami, 5-9 202
playmaker out of the backfield and special teams, adds dimension in open space Texans covet but haven't found yet. Three down back who compliments Miller, gives Watson dangerous outlet.

#103. Brandon Parker, Swing Tackle, North Carolina A&T, 6-8 305
quality developmental depth @ OT, Basketball background so has good feet/athletic ability. Very durable high IQ football player who will fit in nicely with group.

#177. PJ Hall, DT, Sam Houston State, 6-0 308
disruptive, penetrating, high motor interior lineman who will compete in specific situations. Romeo will need to get his guy some point, just hoping Hall is on the board here to satisfy.

#211. Alex McGough, QB, Florida International, 6-3 22
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz-bCxj7RRg
no offensive playbook changes needed here with similar all around QB to develop as Desean Watsons back-up. Pocket first, makes progressions, good arm and ability to extend plays.

#222. Michael Joseph, CB, Dubuque, 6-0 190
excellent size speed (4.52) combo would be nice to develop next AJ Bouye. Sticky hands and similar eye hand coordination and carries himself with humble confidence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz-sMMQNv-U
 
All in all I like.

If O’Neill is there at 68 we take him. I just have him as the 5th OT and should be taken in the 2nd. Grading out equally, but of slightly lower value because of position, I have OG’s Austin Corbett and Branden Smith. If O’Neil is gone and one of these two are still on the board, I take him. Smith is from Auburn. I like OL’men from the SEC and from Auburn.

It’s a toss up for me whether to emphasize blocking or receiving at TE. I like Schultz but Thomas is a close second.

I’m good with a running back. But if Dante Pettis is there at 80, I like him as a return specialist and slot receiver.

Parker I like.

We have different ideas on whom to take, but we are in agreement we need to emphasize offense with this draft and give Watson better protection and tools. I give you two thumbs up.
 
Nice draft.
I too would like to see a dual threat RB in the mix - Walton is decent as are Kalen Ballage and Nyheim Hines.
Some are saying Hines is Kamara-esque.
I also like Hall. We could do with another threat in the D trench. Poona Ford is another I have a close eye on - has a motor and is a disruptive dynamo. If he was three inches taller would be in the top 20 of this draft but I think he knows how to use his height to advantage.
 
O'Neil- Like
Thomas- Love
Walton- Like, but like Bellage more and would like a WR like KeKe Coutee more.
Parker- Love
Hall- Love but he probably wont be there
McGough- Dont know anything about him but from what I've read he would be a good pick
Joseph- Love. He will really help the ST's.
 
steelbtexan said:
O'Neil- Like
Thomas- Love
Walton- Like, but like Bellage more and would like a WR like KeKe Coutee more.
Parker- Love
Hall- Love but he probably wont be there
McGough- Dont know anything about him but from what I've read he would be a good pick
Joseph- Love. He will really help the ST's.
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Bellage is a workout warrior, stiff hips and has tunnel vision. Superb athlete with straight ahead speed, size to weight off charts but where is elusive change of direction, ability to catch in space and knowing angles?

Think of Walton as a bigger Sproles, and he can block like a dog. Two completely different backs. Other than that I guess we’re good :ahhaha:
 
Just noticed Lance Zierlein comps O’Neil to Jake Fisher, LT drafted in 2015 by Bengals, 53rd overall.

Main thing about them I want to point out is best fit is in a zone blocking scheme. So when O’Brian discusses change I wonder if zone or derivative of a zone scheme is in the works?

If so, Texans may need to trade up to get their franchise LT.
 
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beerlover said:
Just noticed Lance Zierlein comps O’Neil to Jake Fisher, LT drafted in 2015 by Bengals, 53rd overall.

Main thing about them I want to point out is best fit is in a zone blocking scheme. So when O’Brian discusses change I wonder if zone or derivative of a zone scheme is in the works?

If so, Texans may need to trade up to get their franchise LT.
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Kelemete, Fulton, and even Davenport/Martin have all shown ability to get to the 2nd level. Would not be surprised by shift to more zone oriented scheme especially this season when we don’t have the draft capital to get the big strong AND talented guys with good feet. ZBS linemen usually come 3rd round or later. Question is can they coach them up?
 
New England has historically been very successful with zone blocking, especially while OB was there.

OB was supposedly very interested in Ferentz, who is a master of zone blocking.

Our OL group as a whole would probably be better at zone than gap.

It's a complete mystery why we haven't used it much under OB. Everything points that direction but for some reason we haven't done it.
 
bah007 said:
New England has historically been very successful with zone blocking, especially while OB was there.

OB was supposedly very interested in Ferentz, who is a master of zone blocking.

Our OL group as a whole would probably be better at zone than gap.

It's a complete mystery why we haven't used it much under OB. Everything points that direction but for some reason we haven't done it.
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Also RBs would be better in a zone scheme. No more running Miller against a brick wall repeatedly!
 
Reflecting on Mayocks Mock Draft for 2018:

Love his passion
Love his conviction
Has insights to teams boards or tendencies, he would make it seem
But is it just me or is he overthinking this whole draft thing a little too much?
I’m not going to go through whole list of picks or moves that I would say are questionable, but damn it Jim stick to basic common sense.


Guess a couple examples of what concerns me are appropriate.

Do not feel Cleveland with first overall pick should select a QB. That's just not bpa. In presentation they showed how the Browns have clearly no idea how to identify a QB to begin with, passing on Carr to trade up for Manzel, trading out of #2 so Philly could select Wentz and then again following year trading out of #12 so Texans could take Watson. They should send a clear message to their current starting QB who they traded a 3rd round pick for Tyrod Taylor he's their guy and build around him starting with BPA in this draft Saquon Barkley, then come back with either Chubb or Quenton Nelson.

Next pick, Denver has shot at both Allen and Rosen but passes on a Guard? That just doesn't seem smart going forward. Do we remember Case Keenum correctly? This is gross evaluation error, if this happens they get what they deserve but surely Kubes is not that tainted as advisor or whatever his current position is. Think there is a better chance Denver trades out before Colts, where Maycok has Buffalo moving up to select Allen.,

I could go on but its late or early depending on where your at or what you do so, everybody enjoy tonight, lets see how it unfolds.

:wesmantexanfan:
 
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Seems like most of the NFL world wants to see the Browns stay in the toilet. Take Barkley #1 and let everyone else roll the dice on who the best QB is at 2 and 3. I don't have a great history of predicting QB success in the NFL, but neither do the Browns. Having said that I am not a fan of Darnold, don't understand why he is not getting more heat about a weak arm, awful ball security and big game chokes. Draft experts keep mentioning Rudolph's low velocity but they are both 52 mph and Rudolph has a much quicker release and was willing to throw at the combine. Just don't understand how so many have Darnold as the #1 pick and Rudolph at the end of the first.
 
I would be really happy if the Texans landed O'Neil. I have seen him everywhere from 1st round to the 5th. Don't think he is any more raw than Armstead was coming out and he ended up starting at LT his 1st season and made a pro-bowl his 2nd.

PJ Hall is one of my favorite players in the draft just not sure if we can maximize his potential in a 3-4. IMO he is to compact to play outside the tackle but not big/strong enough to play nose. So many 4-3 teams need a penetrating 3 tech, I think someone will take him on Friday.
 
Based on needs and depth of draft in the areas of Texans needs.....as long as the team targets are on the board and a trade down is viable, then trading down the first pick(s) in RD3 and RD4 are the moves I would be most excited with. Maybe the team receives an extra RD4 pick and gets back into RD5. That would be a big boy move.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
Based on needs and depth of draft in the areas of Texans needs.....as long as the team targets are on the board and a trade down is viable, then trading down the first pick(s) in RD3 and RD4 are the moves I would be most excited with. Maybe the team receives an extra RD4 pick and gets back into RD5. That would be a big boy move.
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Huge Gaines :ahhaha:
 
So what’s Mayocks scorecard? Got Giants pick, #2 Barkley ...,,,, two other picks to same teams, out of order, which is ok, maybe mark-off 1/4 Point?

Anyway little run on offensive lineman which is a concern for sure to Texans. May prompt trading up? In terms of trading up, like Texans did last year to grab Watson are generally spot on.

It’s fluid process, if a player falls in position of need you make that move. Based my mock off Brugler rankings, three weeks out, my own evaluation and Texan needs on where they should fall. Obviously Mayock was way off and that’s first round. If you hit one that’s good, two that’s great, three is outstanding, regardless where picked just as long as you picked them.

Never gave it much thought, but figured Connor Williams, who is a bonified natural right tackle but who has slipped to 2nd May now be a target, if they feel real good about Davenport @ LT.
 
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beerlover said:
...Anyway little run on offensive lineman which is a concern for sure to Texans. May prompt trading up...
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Don’t understand this statement. There was no run on OL’men. Nelson at 1/6; McGlinchey at 1/9; Miller taken at 1/15 and Wynn at 1/23. All expected to go in the first. The surprise was Williams NOT going in the first.

The way the first round went was all for the Texans’ good. But I do expect the OL’men to start moving off the board in the second.

Williams, Crosby and O’Neill will move. Hernandez and Corbett.

The player I’m keeping an eye on is OG Braden Smith. Will he fall to 3/68? If he does we should take him.

The OT position is deep in third round talent, which is why I’m willing to pass at 3/68. The player I’m wanting is Brandon Parker and I’m thinking we can get him at 3/98. The coaching staff got a good look at this player at the Senior Bowl and it all depends on their evaluation.
 
Number19 said:
Don’t understand this statement. There was no run on OL’men. Nelson at 1/6; McGlinchey at 1/9; Miller taken at 1/15 and Wynn at 1/23. All expected to go in the first. The surprise was Williams NOT going in the first.

The way the first round went was all for the Texans’ good. But I do expect the OL’men to start moving off the board in the second.

Williams, Crosby and O’Neill will move. Hernandez and Corbett.

The player I’m keeping an eye on is OG Braden Smith. Will he fall to 3/68? If he does we should take him.

The OT position is deep in third round talent, which is why I’m willing to pass at 3/68. The player I’m wanting is Brandon Parker and I’m thinking we can get him at 3/98. The coaching staff got a good look at this player at the Senior Bowl and it all depends on their evaluation.
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Fair, three tackles, two centers back to back and one guard. I count at least 35 prospects left on the board who could fit in a scheme right now or near future. Braden Smith and Brian O’Neill are but two of them. Would feel a lot better about things if Texans had a 2nd round pick.
 
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Number19 said:
Don’t understand this statement. There was no run on OL’men. Nelson at 1/6; McGlinchey at 1/9; Miller taken at 1/15 and Wynn at 1/23. All expected to go in the first. The surprise was Williams NOT going in the first.

The way the first round went was all for the Texans’ good. But I do expect the OL’men to start moving off the board in the second.

Williams, Crosby and O’Neill will move. Hernandez and Corbett.

The player I’m keeping an eye on is OG Braden Smith. Will he fall to 3/68? If he does we should take him.

The OT position is deep in third round talent, which is why I’m willing to pass at 3/68. The player I’m wanting is Brandon Parker and I’m thinking we can get him at 3/98. The coaching staff got a good look at this player at the Senior Bowl and it all depends on their evaluation.
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You don't think Okorafor will move in the 2nd?
If not, Texans should consider a small move up to make sure they get him.
Or Goedert.
Either way, Texans are in a pretty good spot considering.
 
Texansphan said:
You don't think Okorafor will move in the 2nd?
If not, Texans should consider a small move up to make sure they get him.
Or Goedert.
Either way, Texans are in a pretty good spot considering.
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I hope he does.... Not a fan of his play strength and lack of mean streak after watching more film. Good feet but doesn’t use his length to its full potential.
 
TheRealJoker said:
I hope he does.... Not a fan of his play strength and lack of mean streak after watching more film. Good feet but doesn’t use his length to its full potential.
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It's a lottery most of the time anyway - some truly great OL have gone in the third in recent times.
 
TheRealJoker said:
I hope he does.... Not a fan of his play strength and lack of mean streak after watching more film. Good feet but doesn’t use his length to its full potential.
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He’s a boom or bust talent. He could go in the bottom half of the second but I agree his limitations are more likely to push him into the third. It would be to our advantage if he would go in the second, pushing another player into the third.
 
Howie Roseman, discussing why Eagles traded out of first, saying there was a cluster of equally graded talent, Goedert included, that gaining extra 2nd for next year, very expensive, hard thing to do outweighed risk, for long term commitment to excellence. So possibility exists, Eagles could draft same player while building draft wealth moving forward.

Would hope Gaine is from same school of thought, though once league catches onto something it becomes a copycat game. Bottom line: you must be very good to excellent talent evaluator while at same time transferring on field with 53 man roster (or did that roster number go up?) with playmakers, role players and depth all under salary cap space.
 
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