Doppelmock Version 6

[Doppelganger]

Time for a new Doppelmock. The combine is over and FA is upon us. Here is what GM Dopp would do:

Players Cut/Lost via FA
Matt Schaub, QB
TJ Yates, QB
Ben Tate, RB
Antonio Smith, DL
Owen Daniels, TE
Derek Newton, OT
LeStar Jean, WR
Earl Mitchell, DL

Defensive FA Signed:
Paul Soliai, NT: to start as the new NT
Red Bryant: DT: to start as new 3-4 DE
Shaun Phillips, DE/OLB:new OLB
D'Qwell Jackson, ILB: starting ILB next to Cush in 3-4

In the Romeo Crennell 3-4 Defense, there is a need for a big anchor NT i.e. Paul Soliai. If, Watt is going to be allowed to freelance, there is a need to have another big boy run stopper who ties up OL. Having Red Bryant as the DE and Paul Soliai as the NT allows Watt to freelance most effectively. Between these two they will in essence take on 4/5 OL leaving Watt in 1 on 1 situations or at worst a OL and a TE/RB helper. Adding an older, cheaper OLB option like Phillips could also help in the short term. Finally, with the way the NFL is going having a ILB who can compliment Cush in terms of being able to defend the pass and play the run is essential. D'Qwell Jackson would be a great addition to the team.

Offensive FA Signed:
Toby Gerhart, RB: backup RB for Arian
Kellen Clemens, QB: backup QB
Anthony Collins, OT: push for RT spot/swing tackle
Garrett Graham, TE: starting TE

In the new Bill O' Brien's Offense, there is a need for better overall play. Clearly Newton was overmatched and Williams is coming off serious injury. He will compete with Collins for the OT spot. With Foster coming off injury andTate heading out the door, the Texans need a good servicable #2 RB. Gerhart can fill that role. With Schaub and likely Yates out the door, the Texans will draft a QB (likely with the first pick.) Still, the team needs a dependable backup who can step in play play solidly. Kellen Clemens is a servicable backup QB option. Finally, O'Brien likes TE and with OD heading out, the door, Graham would be a great re-sign.

1. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville, 6'2, 214lbs.
Teddy came in bigger than expected at the combine than expected. Most expected him to be around 6'2 and 195-200lbs. Instead he came in at a muscular 214lbs. He will put on a passing clinic at his proday and will run a reasonable to good time. He stays here as my #1 selection.

2. TRADE WITH MINNESOTA
Tampa and Minnesota both desperately need QBs. Since the Big 3 are off the board in the first, each elects to go a different route. By the time the 2nd round begins, 4 QBs are off the board(the Big 3 and Garropolo.) Knowing TB needs a QB, Minnesota jumps to the top of the 2nd round by swapping 2nds, and surrendering a 3rd and 5th rounder. Minnesota selects: Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU.

2. Jimmie Ward, FS, North Illinois State, 5'11, 193lbs,
A true ballhawking FS is a must in a cover 2 type defense. Ward is the guy for me. He can cover, he can play the slot, he can play man, or zone. A little smaller, but super-versatile DB who would be a great addition to the team. In the short term, he can start at FS or can play as a nickle corner. Longterm answer at FS. Reminds me of an Eric Weddle type player.

3. Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska, 6'2, 215
He is a good CB who needs a little bit of coaching. Has the speed to play press or man and the intelligence to play zone. Plus he is a giant big boy CB who can help deal with the big boy WRs coming out of school. Big physical CB is always a plus.

3. Billy Turner, OT, North Dakota State, 6'5, 316lbs
A 4 year starter who dominated his competition. He then went to the Senior Bowl and showed he belonged with the big boys. Sure, he is not ready to start, but Collins is brought in to be the starter. In a couple of years, Turner will be ready to go. In the mean time, he learns and becomes quality depth. Plus it helps to get rid of Newton. A plus.

4. Deandre Coleman, DL California, 6'5, 315lbs
Coleman is a stout run defender who can also get some pressure on the QB. He provides some excellent depth along the DL. He can play NT or 3-4 DE in the Crennel system.

5.Jordan Najvar, TE, Baylor, 6'6 255lbs
One thing we know about the O'Brien system is the need for good blocking TEs. Najvar certainly blocks very well. He also has tremendous hands that were O'Brien wants for his team.

5. Jeremy Gallon, WR, Michigan 5'8, 187lbs
One thing O'Brien loves in his offense is an insanely fast slot receiver with good hands. The Texans unfortunately don't have anyone who fits this description. Martin is fast but drops a ton of passes. Gallon is a playmaker with the ball. A little smaller in stature but he is big enough to take some punishment. A player who could see the field faster than many expect. Possibly even a weapon in the return game.

6.Caleb Lavey, ILB, Oklahoma State, 6'3, 240lbs
A sleeper LB who would be a great addition to the team. Played well against the pass and has enough skills to put some pressure on the QB and be a tackling monster. 93 tackles with 2.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, 3 passes broken up, 3 forced fumbles and 12.5 tackles for a loss suggests to me he is ready for prime time.

7. James Gayle, DE/OLB, Virginia Tech, 6'4 253lbs
Another potential passrusher. The Texans would have Phillips, Reed, Mercilus, Williams, and now Gayle competing (plus others) for the 2 spots. I imagine Mercilus and Phillips become the starters and Reed is the #1 backup/reliever for both sides. While he wouldn't start there would be lots of subbing to keep them fresh. Not sure about Trevardo. Gayle can compete with him. They can probably help on ST and be a nice backups.

 

[WolverineFan]

First off outstanding work. Now onto the show....

Jackson was already signed by the Colts so he's off the board. However, if you sign Phillips as an OLB then you can kick Reed inside and cover that. I really like your theory with Soliai and Bryant. That's intriguing.

I would be shocked if we signed that many FA's and slightly surprised if we were that aggressive with cuts. That doesn't fit the MO of Smith/McNair. I really like the draft although Najvar does nothing for me. Plenty of other TE's available at that point though. The other thing would be Ward & Jean-Baptiste. Ward can play either FS or SS, but with Swearinger already in the fold he would play FS. Jean-Baptiste is a project CB and more likely a FS. That would mean you have us taking 2 FS and 0 CB's. Perhaps take JB off the board and slot in a CB, preferably one who could work the slot to replace McCain. Just a thought.

 

[beerlover]

excellent work.
very difficult to balance draft with free agency subtractions & additions.
should Texans take Clowney (once in generation DE) or Brdgewater (best QB in class because Texans need one).
Safest pick is Greg Robinson, Jake Matthews, Sammy Watkins or Khalil Mack.
There is an exceedingly wide gap between strength of class & positional players, OT, OLB & WR's.
Will wait & see to find out how Texans address needs via free agency, you make some great pick-ups & bold predictions on those no longer with team next season, cut ties.
Kellen Clemons could well be they guy now that Cassel resigned with Vikings.
edited this post because it sucked & didn't give you near enough credit. You could be the GM I'll just be happy as one of your scouts.

 

[Doppelganger]

First off outstanding work. Now onto the show....

Jackson was already signed by the Colts so he's off the board. However, if you sign Phillips as an OLB then you can kick Reed inside and cover that. I really like your theory with Soliai and Bryant. That's intriguing.

I would be shocked if we signed that many FA's and slightly surprised if we were that aggressive with cuts. That doesn't fit the MO of Smith/McNair. I really like the draft although Najvar does nothing for me. Plenty of other TE's available at that point though. The other thing would be Ward & Jean-Baptiste. Ward can play either FS or SS, but with Swearinger already in the fold he would play FS. Jean-Baptiste is a project CB and more likely a FS. That would mean you have us taking 2 FS and 0 CB's. Perhaps take JB off the board and slot in a CB, preferably one who could work the slot to replace McCain. Just a thought.

Thanks for the feedback!

Sadly Red Bryant has already put together an agreement to sign with Jacksonville, so there goes that idea.

I disagree with your assessment of Baptiste. I see him as a CB in the mold of a Richard Sherman type CB(without the mouth.) He has lateral movement, recovery speed, can play man/press or zone. He showed those skills on the field at Nebraska, at the Senior Bowl, and in individual drills at the combine. While I do agree he needs some more coaching and seasoning, I do think he has the ability to stay at CB.

I can understand your concern about Navjar. My interest in him is that he was a blocking TE first and primarily at Baylor. O'Brien has passcatchers but not necessarily a master blocker. One thing people sometimes forget about Gronk is that it is not only his ability in receiving that makes him so dangerous, it is his ability to block too. Navjar is a guy who can potentially be a plus blocker and good to very good pass catcher.

 

[Doppelganger]

excellent work.
very difficult to balance draft with free agency subtractions & additions.
should Texans take Clowney (once in generation DE) or Brdgewater (best QB in class because Texans need one).
Safest pick is Greg Robinson, Jake Matthews, Sammy Watkins or Khalil Mack.
There is an exceedingly wide gap between strength of class & positional players, OT, OLB & WR's.
Will wait & see to find out how Texans address needs via free agency, you make some great pick-ups & bold predictions on those no longer with team next season, cut ties.
Kellen Clemons could well be they guy now that Cassel resigned with Vikings.
edited this post because it sucked & didn't give you near enough credit. You could be the GM I'll just be happy as one of your scouts.

Thanks for the kind words, sir!

I just don't see Clowney as a generational DE. Mario Williams put up better numbers at the combine and is nearly 30lbs heavier than him. Just last year Zeke Ansah had a 40 time of 4.56(versus 4.53) and was 6'5 271lbs (versus Clowney at 6'5 266). Carlos Dunlap was 6'6 280lbs and ran a 4.57. These are just a few examples of players with similar numbers, there are others.

I think the safest pick is Jake Matthews. He can play all 5 positions on the OL and barring injury should be good for 12-15 years and some probowls. Robinson has the higher ceiling but a lower floor. Watkins is good, but as a WR is hampered by his QB. I am not sure he is an Andre Johnson who is good enough to overcome a poor QB. Mack is ahead of Clowney in my eyes.

With Red Bryant off the table, I still like the idea of the two big boys next to Watt. So how about Solai in the middle and Terrence Cody next to him? Cody has been a bit of a disappointment mainly becuase he did not become a penetrating NT. But, if he was played as a run stopping DE he could be a terrror. Imagine having a 3-4 DL where you have JJ Watt on one side, Paul Solai in the middle, and Terrence Cody on the edge. How successful will your run game be? Now imagine that you decide to go to a 4-3 front and you have Watt and Phillips as the DEs and Solai and Cody as the DTs. It would essentially be the recreation of the fearsome Viking 4-3 DLs with the Williams in the DT spots and JJ Watt playing the role of Jared Allen.

 

[beerlover]

I cannot visualize Cody as effective 3-4 DE. I would rather draft Stephon Tuitt. Far as Nose, that is something that should be addressed via free agency which would cancel out losing Earl Mitchell, I remember vividly that I wanted Texans to draft Linval Joseph out of East Carolina in 2010 but he went mid 2nd, I'm not sure but think he is a UFA? He would be the man to man the middle, great penetration & can play the run. Also like Mebane, Seattle coming off injury maybe he's a salary cut?

Back to the draft. I have to agree with WolverineFan. That is really overkill with similar overlapping skill sets to be drafted like that early & back to back. Both good stand alone picks. Move Billy Turner up cause he will be gone. People don't believe me but these freakish OT's just always go earlier than one would think, he is a good one too who would solve RT issue.