Hottoddie
Veteran
This mock is only 3 rounds because I refuse to register with PFF's mock draft simulator.
In any event, I was looking at Howard's restructured contract terms & it strikes me that maybe he isn't the Texans long term solution at LT, but just a stop-gap. His contract expires after 2026 with no guaranteed money after 2025. His 2026 cap hit (for us) takes a significant jump to just over $27.9 million with a salary of $17.5 million & a per game roster bonus of $500K. Could Nick/Demeco be showcasing Howard for another Tunsil type trade after 2025? If Howard has a decent showing at LT in 2025, he could be traded for a 3rd round pick & possible other considerations. If he doesn't have a trade worthy season next year, then he can just be cut in 2026. With both scenarios, the Texans would get $18 million in cap savings & a dead money hit of $9.9 million if the transaction were to occur after June 1st. Obviously, trading Howard to another team after June 1st would be pretty difficult to pull off, but it's doable.
So, if any of that crap I just spewed out should happen, that brings me to my next mock draft.
I know there are 5-6 LT's in this draft worthy of a 1st round pick, but what if the team has a different long term plan in place? I had previously speculated that Fisher had been drafted to eventually take over the LT position once Tunsil retires or is traded, but then I started speculating that they would trade up for one of the premier LT's in this draft. Now, it's back to my original guess. lol
In this mock I took the best available WR at #25. Luther can play both the "X" & slot receiver positions.
I took Milum in the second with the intention of inserting him in at LG. He can also play LT if need be.
I took Trapilo in the 3rd round to replace Fisher at RT. With Howard being showcased at LT, Trapilo will be afforded a year to get used to the speed of the NFL before taking over the RT position full time.
And with my second 3rd round pick, I chose Savaiinaea to fill the role of our swing tackle. I was torn between taking Savaiinaea or Tate Ratledge (RG), but chose Savaiinaea because of his versatility. He can play both tackle positions & RG. His only real weakness is his upper body strength. A year (or less) in an NFL strength program should fix that problem.
With our remaining picks, we should be able to pick up another WR, RB, TE or some additional defensive depth.
In any event, I was looking at Howard's restructured contract terms & it strikes me that maybe he isn't the Texans long term solution at LT, but just a stop-gap. His contract expires after 2026 with no guaranteed money after 2025. His 2026 cap hit (for us) takes a significant jump to just over $27.9 million with a salary of $17.5 million & a per game roster bonus of $500K. Could Nick/Demeco be showcasing Howard for another Tunsil type trade after 2025? If Howard has a decent showing at LT in 2025, he could be traded for a 3rd round pick & possible other considerations. If he doesn't have a trade worthy season next year, then he can just be cut in 2026. With both scenarios, the Texans would get $18 million in cap savings & a dead money hit of $9.9 million if the transaction were to occur after June 1st. Obviously, trading Howard to another team after June 1st would be pretty difficult to pull off, but it's doable.
So, if any of that crap I just spewed out should happen, that brings me to my next mock draft.
I know there are 5-6 LT's in this draft worthy of a 1st round pick, but what if the team has a different long term plan in place? I had previously speculated that Fisher had been drafted to eventually take over the LT position once Tunsil retires or is traded, but then I started speculating that they would trade up for one of the premier LT's in this draft. Now, it's back to my original guess. lol
In this mock I took the best available WR at #25. Luther can play both the "X" & slot receiver positions.
I took Milum in the second with the intention of inserting him in at LG. He can also play LT if need be.
I took Trapilo in the 3rd round to replace Fisher at RT. With Howard being showcased at LT, Trapilo will be afforded a year to get used to the speed of the NFL before taking over the RT position full time.
And with my second 3rd round pick, I chose Savaiinaea to fill the role of our swing tackle. I was torn between taking Savaiinaea or Tate Ratledge (RG), but chose Savaiinaea because of his versatility. He can play both tackle positions & RG. His only real weakness is his upper body strength. A year (or less) in an NFL strength program should fix that problem.
With our remaining picks, we should be able to pick up another WR, RB, TE or some additional defensive depth.
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