Doppelganger
None
I do not usually put together 2 mocks so close to each other, but I realized I made a major error by including an underclassman who has decided to return to school. As such, it was important for me to go back and redo the mock.
The Texans will make a lot of cuts this offseason, probably more than people think. If I was in charge I would bring in some vets in specific spots. An OT such as Austin Howard or Anthony Collins should be brought in. A NT like Linval Joseph or Paul Soliai would be necessary for the new 3-4. Also a DE like Cedric Thornton or Ropati Pitoitua would give Crennel some more options. If Antonio Smith understood and accecpted his role as a 3-4 DE and was willing to sign for a reaosnable number, I'd bring him back.
So, here is my new mock, get ready to tear it to shreds!
1. Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville, 6'3, 218lbs, 4.62
I can write pages, but here are the keys:
1. He has a good arm, good vision, athleticism.
2. He Is a tremendously hard worker.
3. He calls plays at the LOS. This is extremely rare for a QB. Think about this, he called more audibles and play changes in his junior year at Louisville than multiyear veteran Matt Schaub...
TRADE. I am projecting a trade simply because Smith has traded in practically every draft. Why not right here?
The Texans trade #33 to the Detroit Lions for #45(2nd round) and #76(3rd round)
The Detroit Lions desperate for a CB select Kyle Fuller, CB Virginia Tech.
2. David Yankey, G/OT, Stanford, 6'5, 311lbs, 5.05
Yankey is a high level OG prospect who has played multiple positions on the Stanford OL. He has been a LT, LG, and RT through his time at Stanford. He has the ability to be a spot starter on 4 of the 5 positions on the OL and could be good to very good on 3 of them. He did very well against UCLA this season and their passrushing phenom Anthony Barr. He was able to keep the big Notre Dame DTs Louis Nix and Stephen Tuitt in check. Last year he held his own at LT. At the moment, the Texans need a LG and a RT(I do not think Smith is resigned and Newton should be toast). I would give him a chance to win either job. While I think he is good enough to play in either spot, I think he emerges as the new starting LG. I think the newly signed vet OT will battle with Quiz for the RT spot.
3. C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE,, Iowa, 6'7, 265lbs, 4.65
O'Brien likes TEs and in Fiedorowicz he gets a big boy athletic one. He can block and catch the ball. He needs some refinement and coaching but he could definitely play a little bit now. At the moment he is a slightly better blocker than receiver. With coaching he will become above average in each. I believe OD will be cut and Graham will choose to sign elsewhere. Griffin will start and n Fiedorowicz will be the backup/ #2.
3. Carl Bradford, OLB, Arizona State, 6'1, 243lbs, 4.68
A hard nosed defender who would fit perfectly into a 3-4 OLB role. He can play the run and rush the QB. In 2013 he had 61 tackles with 19 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks, 4 passes broken up,1 interception and 3 forced fumbles. In 2012 he had 81 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for a loss, 5 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles and 1 interception. He would be an instant starter.
4. Nickoe Whitley, S, Mississippi State, 6'1, 205lbs. 4.53
Playmaker. He had 5 interceptions, 2 passes broken up and 55 tackles. He had an impressive game against Auburn where he came away with 2 int and had a great game against the big time Texas A&M offense. He is able to play as a rangy FS but is not a liability in the run game. Would be an excellent compliment to Swearinger and be what Ed Reed was supposed to be. Can compete for a starter's spot from Day 1.
5. Henry Anderson, DE Stanford, 6'6, 282lbs, 4.90
Gotta have some good DEs and Mr. Anderson is the guy. He is a strong run defender with long arms and good size. He is a mauler and gets rough and physical (but not dirty) and would help to reduce the image that the Texans are a soft team. Prior to his torn pectoral this year, he had 19 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble. In 2012 he had 49 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, 5 passes batted and a 1 forced fumble. He has the size, speed, and meanness to play as a 3-4 DE and would be an amazing addition. Probably won't start right away, but provides depth as well as ST help.
Based on FA losses, I am projecting a 5th round Compensatory pick for the Texans.
5. Beau Allen, NT, Wisconsin, 6'3 325lbs, 5.39
One thing a lot of us have constantly complained about is the last of a true NT for the 3-4. A traditional 3-4 has GOT to have a big boy NT/NG who can occupy OL and gobble up the run. I would choose Allen to occupy that role. At Wisconsin his specialty was run defense.He in essence played the run and helped anchor a stout DL. As a NT he would take on 2 blockers and help keep the LBs clean. He does not offer much of a pass rush, but would be perfect in the role of run stuffing NG. Assuming the Texans sign a NT, he would be depth and have a chance to learn the position before getting a lot of reps on the field
6. Raijun Neal, RB, Tennessee, 5'11, 212lbs, 4.60
Foster will be coming off back surgery, Tate is likely gone, and Johnson is now on IR. Yikes. Neal has been a good back at Tennessee and would be a great back for the new Texans offense. He is a big power back with some quickness. He had 5.2 yards per carry for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdows. He had 27 receptions for 108 yards. H ran for 741 yards last year with a 4.5 yards per carry total along with with 5 touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 149 yards and 4 touchdowns last year. He immediately fights with Dennis Johnson over the backup RB spot to Foster. Can also help on ST.
7. Jeremy Gallon, WR, Michigan, 5'8, 187lbs, 4.43
Playmaker. He is a smaller shifty player who does not have a set role. Maybe a Darren Sproles type player. He accumulated 89 receptions for 1,373 yards and 9 touchdowns this past season. In 2012 he had 49 receptions for 829 yards with 4 touchdowns in 2012 and 31 catches for 453 yards and 3 tds as a sophomore in 2011. He could be a slot receiver or extra bubble screen weapon. Possibly used on reversals and end-arounds as well. A smart offensive coach like O'Brien will surely have some fun ideas to exploit his speed.
The Texans will make a lot of cuts this offseason, probably more than people think. If I was in charge I would bring in some vets in specific spots. An OT such as Austin Howard or Anthony Collins should be brought in. A NT like Linval Joseph or Paul Soliai would be necessary for the new 3-4. Also a DE like Cedric Thornton or Ropati Pitoitua would give Crennel some more options. If Antonio Smith understood and accecpted his role as a 3-4 DE and was willing to sign for a reaosnable number, I'd bring him back.
So, here is my new mock, get ready to tear it to shreds!
1. Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville, 6'3, 218lbs, 4.62
I can write pages, but here are the keys:
1. He has a good arm, good vision, athleticism.
2. He Is a tremendously hard worker.
3. He calls plays at the LOS. This is extremely rare for a QB. Think about this, he called more audibles and play changes in his junior year at Louisville than multiyear veteran Matt Schaub...
TRADE. I am projecting a trade simply because Smith has traded in practically every draft. Why not right here?
The Texans trade #33 to the Detroit Lions for #45(2nd round) and #76(3rd round)
The Detroit Lions desperate for a CB select Kyle Fuller, CB Virginia Tech.
2. David Yankey, G/OT, Stanford, 6'5, 311lbs, 5.05
Yankey is a high level OG prospect who has played multiple positions on the Stanford OL. He has been a LT, LG, and RT through his time at Stanford. He has the ability to be a spot starter on 4 of the 5 positions on the OL and could be good to very good on 3 of them. He did very well against UCLA this season and their passrushing phenom Anthony Barr. He was able to keep the big Notre Dame DTs Louis Nix and Stephen Tuitt in check. Last year he held his own at LT. At the moment, the Texans need a LG and a RT(I do not think Smith is resigned and Newton should be toast). I would give him a chance to win either job. While I think he is good enough to play in either spot, I think he emerges as the new starting LG. I think the newly signed vet OT will battle with Quiz for the RT spot.
3. C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE,, Iowa, 6'7, 265lbs, 4.65
O'Brien likes TEs and in Fiedorowicz he gets a big boy athletic one. He can block and catch the ball. He needs some refinement and coaching but he could definitely play a little bit now. At the moment he is a slightly better blocker than receiver. With coaching he will become above average in each. I believe OD will be cut and Graham will choose to sign elsewhere. Griffin will start and n Fiedorowicz will be the backup/ #2.
3. Carl Bradford, OLB, Arizona State, 6'1, 243lbs, 4.68
A hard nosed defender who would fit perfectly into a 3-4 OLB role. He can play the run and rush the QB. In 2013 he had 61 tackles with 19 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks, 4 passes broken up,1 interception and 3 forced fumbles. In 2012 he had 81 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for a loss, 5 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles and 1 interception. He would be an instant starter.
4. Nickoe Whitley, S, Mississippi State, 6'1, 205lbs. 4.53
Playmaker. He had 5 interceptions, 2 passes broken up and 55 tackles. He had an impressive game against Auburn where he came away with 2 int and had a great game against the big time Texas A&M offense. He is able to play as a rangy FS but is not a liability in the run game. Would be an excellent compliment to Swearinger and be what Ed Reed was supposed to be. Can compete for a starter's spot from Day 1.
5. Henry Anderson, DE Stanford, 6'6, 282lbs, 4.90
Gotta have some good DEs and Mr. Anderson is the guy. He is a strong run defender with long arms and good size. He is a mauler and gets rough and physical (but not dirty) and would help to reduce the image that the Texans are a soft team. Prior to his torn pectoral this year, he had 19 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble. In 2012 he had 49 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, 5 passes batted and a 1 forced fumble. He has the size, speed, and meanness to play as a 3-4 DE and would be an amazing addition. Probably won't start right away, but provides depth as well as ST help.
Based on FA losses, I am projecting a 5th round Compensatory pick for the Texans.
5. Beau Allen, NT, Wisconsin, 6'3 325lbs, 5.39
One thing a lot of us have constantly complained about is the last of a true NT for the 3-4. A traditional 3-4 has GOT to have a big boy NT/NG who can occupy OL and gobble up the run. I would choose Allen to occupy that role. At Wisconsin his specialty was run defense.He in essence played the run and helped anchor a stout DL. As a NT he would take on 2 blockers and help keep the LBs clean. He does not offer much of a pass rush, but would be perfect in the role of run stuffing NG. Assuming the Texans sign a NT, he would be depth and have a chance to learn the position before getting a lot of reps on the field
6. Raijun Neal, RB, Tennessee, 5'11, 212lbs, 4.60
Foster will be coming off back surgery, Tate is likely gone, and Johnson is now on IR. Yikes. Neal has been a good back at Tennessee and would be a great back for the new Texans offense. He is a big power back with some quickness. He had 5.2 yards per carry for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdows. He had 27 receptions for 108 yards. H ran for 741 yards last year with a 4.5 yards per carry total along with with 5 touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 149 yards and 4 touchdowns last year. He immediately fights with Dennis Johnson over the backup RB spot to Foster. Can also help on ST.
7. Jeremy Gallon, WR, Michigan, 5'8, 187lbs, 4.43
Playmaker. He is a smaller shifty player who does not have a set role. Maybe a Darren Sproles type player. He accumulated 89 receptions for 1,373 yards and 9 touchdowns this past season. In 2012 he had 49 receptions for 829 yards with 4 touchdowns in 2012 and 31 catches for 453 yards and 3 tds as a sophomore in 2011. He could be a slot receiver or extra bubble screen weapon. Possibly used on reversals and end-arounds as well. A smart offensive coach like O'Brien will surely have some fun ideas to exploit his speed.
