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Okay, who you pounding the table for?

Texansphan

Texansphan

Football connoisseur
This thread is for one of your fav players from the draft.
It can be due to round practicality and Texans' position, or your outright favorite or who you think we can get where. Just state your reasoning.
Me? I know we need OL for now and the future. My guy here is Grey Zabel. Can do everything on the line at a high level so can contribute immediately. I think Zabel will be our first pick and has my endorsement!
But, those who know me know I pound the table for the running game.
My favorite here is Quinshon Judkins. Last year if he came out, he would have been the second back taken. He changed teams for 24' and ended up playing second fiddle for the established Treveyon Henderson. But, he still had excellent stats in a new system.
It was tight for me between Judkins and Kaleb Johnson but Judkins won out for mine.
Having said all this, there is a third guy I have my eye on - Devin Neal out of Kansas.
Neal will be available later in the draft so that will suit the usual practice of Texans FO as they rarely take a back up high.
Neal has a devastating step and great hands.
He doesn't have that breakaway speed you crave, but he finds ways to get through tackles. He will immediately be our number 2 back. I think he has the potential to be the second coming of Arian Foster. High praise, but read up on him. You will be impressed.
Okay peeps! Put up your guy you are pounding the table for!
 
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beerlover said:
Right this minute or long term, that is the question? Only OL who fits that role is Grey Zabel. Plug and play now, future Pro-Bowl Guard and/or Center.
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Yeah? Well, you know, that's just like uh, your opinion, man. :winky:

I think Zabel is in the mix, but I don't see him as the clear-cut #1 G. This draft has a lot of former Tackles that are expected to be bumped inside to G, the question of who will perform at that spot is still a question mark (to me). To answer your first question, I would say 'both'. There's very few OLmen who come in and dominate as rookies so I think those odds are pretty low, but I would expect to see dramatic improvement in year 2 and 3.

The ideal situation would be a LT who can hold down a G spot while they get feet wet, and emerge as a good on their way to great LT in their 2nd year. In that situation, I think Kelvin Banks and Josh Connerly probably have the most promise. But as I already mentioned, I don't really know.
 
cland said:
Yeah? Well, you know, that's just like uh, your opinion, man. :winky:

I think Zabel is in the mix, but I don't see him as the clear-cut #1 G. This draft has a lot of former Tackles that are expected to be bumped inside to G, the question of who will perform at that spot is still a question mark (to me). To answer your first question, I would say 'both'. There's very few OLmen who come in and dominate as rookies so I think those odds are pretty low, but I would expect to see dramatic improvement in year 2 and 3.

The ideal situation would be a LT who can hold down a G spot while they get feet wet, and emerge as a good on their way to great LT in their 2nd year. In that situation, I think Kelvin Banks and Josh Connerly probably have the most promise. But as I already mentioned, I don't really know.
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Actually Zabel reminds me of Cody Mauch coming into this draft and I think his long term position will be C. I really like Banks/Conerly/Jackson. Can Conerly play LG as a rookie?
 
cland said:
Yeah? Well, you know, that's just like uh, your opinion, man. :winky:

I think Zabel is in the mix, but I don't see him as the clear-cut #1 G. This draft has a lot of former Tackles that are expected to be bumped inside to G, the question of who will perform at that spot is still a question mark (to me). To answer your first question, I would say 'both'. There's very few OLmen who come in and dominate as rookies so I think those odds are pretty low, but I would expect to see dramatic improvement in year 2 and 3.

The ideal situation would be a LT who can hold down a G spot while they get feet wet, and emerge as a good on their way to great LT in their 2nd year. In that situation, I think Kelvin Banks and Josh Connerly probably have the most promise. But as I already mentioned, I don't really know.
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Banks might just be, a Guard? Conerly, just LT. IMO
 
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I like Xavier Restrepo in the 3rd. Very high football IQ, good route runner, and (most importantly) will bring SWARM mentality. The SWARM mentality is what I'm looking for in every offensive selection.
 
Texansphan said:
This thread is for one of your fav players from the draft.
It can be due to round practicality and Texans' position, or your outright favorite or who you think we can get where. Just state your reasoning.
Me? I know we need OL for now and the future. My guy here is Grey Zabel. Can do everything on the line at a high level so can contribute immediately. I think Zabel will be our first pick and has my endorsement!
But, those who know me know I pound the table for the running game.
My favorite here is Quinshon Judkins. Last year if he came out, he would have been the second back taken. He changed teams for 24' and ended up playing second fiddle for the established Treveyon Henderson. But, he still had excellent stats in a new system.
It was tight for me between Judkins and Kaleb Johnson but Judkins won out for mine.
Having said all this, there is a third guy I have my eye on - Devin Neal out of Kansas.
Neal will be available later in the draft so that will suit the usual practice of Texans FO as they rarely take a back up high.
Neal has a devastating step and great hands.
He doesn't have that breakaway speed you crave, but he finds ways to get through tackles. He will immediately be our number 2 back. I think he has the potential to be the second coming of Arian Foster. High praise, but read up on him. You will be impressed.
Okay peeps! Put up your guy you are pounding the table for!
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What’s quinshon judkins 40 time?

Emeka Egbuka needs to be a Texan.
 
BullRushTX said:
I like Xavier Restrepo in the 3rd. Very high football IQ, good route runner, and (most importantly) will bring SWARM mentality. The SWARM mentality is what I'm looking for in every offensive selection.
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His bad 40 time has future Texan written all over it. They’ve never shown that the scouts/Nick/Demeco care that much about the underwear Olympics and care way more about if you can actually just do it on the field.
 
Jonah Saviianea

Jayden Higgins

Moreso just arguing for them being highest ceiling at their position. Not necessarily thinking people are arguing against adding them to the team.
 
Sweech said:
His bad 40 time has future Texan written all over it. They’ve never shown that the scouts/Nick/Demeco care that much about the underwear Olympics and care way more about if you can actually just do it on the field.
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I dropped him to day 3 on my list once I saw he is a relative turtle. Sort of a higher level David Anderson skill set type. There’s value in that, but 3rd round is too high imo. I have him as a 5th or 6th rounder, and I’d be interested in that area depending on how the draft has fallen and who else is available.
 
Porky said:
I dropped him to day 3 on my list once I saw he is a relative turtle. Sort of a higher level David Anderson skill set type. There’s value in that, but 3rd round is too high imo. I have him as a 5th or 6th rounder, and I’d be interested in that area depending on how the draft has fallen and who else is available.
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I’d rank him between Jarvis Landry and Hunter Renfrow as a prospect. All three underwhelming physical measurables. But all three probably the best pure route runner in their respective draft.

There is value in that. Landry went back of round 2, Renfrow round 5. I think Restrepo settles in back of round 3 top of round 4. Whoever gets him will get a reliable slot WR, albeit one that teams will continually try to upgrade to increase overall team speed/athleticism. QB match will be important.

Landry and Renfrow were productive players when they had solid level QB play: Tannehill, Mayfield and Carr respectively. But once the bad QBs showed up their physical limitations were exposed and their performance fell off. That happens for every WR with a bad QB… but moreso for limited athletes.
 
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BullRushTX said:
I like Xavier Restrepo in the 3rd. Very high football IQ, good route runner, and (most importantly) will bring SWARM mentality. The SWARM mentality is what I'm looking for in every offensive selection.
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He ran a 4.83 and plays the slot. The Texans have a room full of those types of guys
 
steelbtexan said:
I really like Conerly, but this is the reason Caserio probably won't draft him. I wonder if they draft him if they might let him compete at RT with Fisher?
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They bought a lotto ticket with Trent Brown and restructured Howard. They have 3 RTs (more if you count Deculus/Zach Thomas as guys who will make the team).

I think if they go OT it’ll be a guy they see playing LT. And it’ll be day 1. Conerly/Banks, hopefully Simmons is off their board but they have two other OTs with the same injury so maybe they don’t care about that.

I like Grant as a developmental prospect but I don’t really want to use a 2nd to get him. Feel more comfortable with a WR in the 2nd developing than him and would rather pick a more “sure thing” in round 1.
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
They bought a lotto ticket with Trent Brown and restructured Howard. They have 3 RTs (more if you count Deculus/Zach Thomas as guys who will make the team).

I think if they go OT it’ll be a guy they see playing LT. And it’ll be day 1. Conerly/Banks, hopefully Simmons is off their board but they have two other OTs with the same injury so maybe they don’t care about that.

I like Grant as a developmental prospect but I don’t really want to use a 2nd to get him. Feel more comfortable with a WR in the 2nd developing than him and would rather pick a more “sure thing” in round 1.
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A lot of this will be how they feel about guys like Golden, Egbuka, Higgins etc .. relative to guys like Zabel, Jackson etc ..

I think I'm starting to comeback around to the using a 2026 pick to move up for Banks and starting him out at LG. I think Zabel will go to either the Seahawks or Vikings.
 
steelbtexan said:
A lot of this will be how they feel about guys like Golden, Egbuka, Higgins etc .. relative to guys like Zabel, Jackson etc ..

I think I'm starting to comeback around to the using a 2026 pick to move up for Banks and starting him out at LG. I think Zabel will go to either the Seahawks or Vikings.
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I’m not interested in moving a 2026 1st or 2nd for prospects in this year’s draft. Those picks are just too valuable given that the team will need to replace good players with rookie contract players once they pay CJ/WA. Also, I don’t think there’s a good enough prospect to warrant that. We aren’t trading up for a “as close to sure thing as you can get” difference maker like Will Anderson in this scenario. It would be a guy who “MAYBE”could be a solid starter at an important position in Banks/Conerly.

I could see them moving a 3rd possibly but they would have to really believe in the prospect. Think it’s more likely they only consider moving up high enough to use one of the extra 3rds this year as their trade chip.

There is no prospect that Texans have a shot at drafting this year that would be the difference in winning a Super Bowl or not. So i’m not going the “eff them picks” route.
 
steelbtexan said:
He ran a 4.83 and plays the slot. The Texans have a room full of those types of guys
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Kirk is a rental. Metchie might have been good if it weren't for the knee injury followed up by cancer, but that's how it went. I know nothing about Berrios.

Restrepo is a WR who reads defenses well, runs crisp routes, and plays with passion. He probably won't burn anyone deep in man coverage, but he doesn't have to be that guy. He'll provide a reliable safety blanket for CJ in the short-mid game and zone.
 
BullRushTX said:
Kirk is a rental. Metchie might have been good if it weren't for the knee injury followed up by cancer, but that's how it went. I know nothing about Berrios.

Restrepo is a WR who reads defenses well, runs crisp routes, and plays with passion. He probably won't burn anyone deep in man coverage, but he doesn't have to be that guy. He'll provide a reliable safety blanket for CJ in the short-mid game and zone.
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Yeah, I've seen enough of these types of receivers over the yrs on the Texans. Which one has worked out? Give me a WR corps of playmakers like Golden/Burden/Williams/Higgins/Noel/Royals. You know guys that are threats to score when they touch the ball. Look at the Eagles/Ravens/49ers/Chiefs etc....
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
I’m not interested in moving a 2026 1st or 2nd for prospects in this year’s draft. Those picks are just too valuable given that the team will need to replace good players with rookie contract players once they pay CJ/WA. Also, I don’t think there’s a good enough prospect to warrant that. We aren’t trading up for a “as close to sure thing as you can get” difference maker like Will Anderson in this scenario. It would be a guy who “MAYBE”could be a solid starter at an important position in Banks/Conerly.

I could see them moving a 3rd possibly but they would have to really believe in the prospect. Think it’s more likely they only consider moving up high enough to use one of the extra 3rds this year as their trade chip.

There is no prospect that Texans have a shot at drafting this year that would be the difference in winning a Super Bowl or not. So i’m not going the “eff them picks” route.
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You have extra picks and there are several difference makers you probably could trade up 5 spots for and get a long time starter by trading a 2026 2nd for and they have the extra 2nd and 4th in 2026. So it's not like they will be devoid of picks. Guys like Loveland/Zabel/Banks/Golden etc... all would be guys I would consider moving up for. You dont think adding a stud LG/WR/TE on this team wouldn't make this team a SB contender? They've got the picks to do this without really sacrificing the 2026 draft.

I could also see them moving a 2025 5th and 2026 3rd for a 2025 4th if there's a RB there in the 4th that they really like. There's going to be 2nd/3rd rd value RB value in the 4th rd of this yrs draft IMHO.
 
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TheRealJoker V2 said:
Certainly possible but I’d be more comfortable betting on a higher floor at 25. I think Jonah goes top 50. Higgins would be a big swing but i’m not quite there yet at 25.
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I'm not there on Higgins at 1-25 either but a trade down into the top of the 2nd and picking him would be fine with me. You have a higher opinion of Jonah from Zona than I do. I'm willing to bet Ratledge and Milum who I like more than Jonah (Although I would be fine with Jonah at 2-58, I like him too) will be there at 2-58.

I just think Higgins and Jonah are guys that will probably be there at those picks. I wonder if Ratledge can play LG. If not draft him and left Howard/Scruggs/Tomlinson fight it out for the LG position. Ratledge is a stud.

I know you're against trading up in the 1st, so how would you feel about this

1-25 Zabel
2-58 Ratledge
3-79 Royals
3-89 Ferguson
5-166 Croskey- Merritt (I know you're looking for a 3 down RB)
7. Developmental CB
7. BPA
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
Kirk and Berrios ran 4.4 as prospects. Metchie didn’t run due to injury but he looks like a 4.5 guy.

Those are the slots in the room (aside from Dell of course).
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None of the slower slots that the Texans have drafted have worked out and it's time to take another approach to the position IMHO. It looks to me that this is what Caserio is trying to do with the additions of Kirk/Berrios. Although I wonder how Berrios is going to comeback from his ACL. I see him as a Sims replacement.
 
steelbtexan said:
I know you're against trading up in the 1st, so how would you feel about this

1-25 Zabel
2-58 Ratledge
3-79 Royals
3-89 Ferguson
5-166 Croskey- Merritt (I know you're looking for a 3 down RB)
7. Developmental CB
7. BPA
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I’m not against trading up in the 1st. I actually think Nick will do so… but not giving up more than a 3rd which would be worth 5-6 spots. Any more than that price is too much for who would be available imo.

I’m fine with that draft though I wouldn’t go Zabel/Ratledge back to back. Redundant imo.
 
steelbtexan said:
I'm not there on Higgins at 1-25 either but a trade down into the top of the 2nd and picking him would be fine with me. You have a higher opinion of Jonah from Zona than I do. I'm willing to bet Ratledge and Milum who I like more than Jonah (Although I would be fine with Jonah at 2-58, I like him too) will be there at 2-58.

I just think Higgins and Jonah are guys that will probably be there at those picks. I wonder if Ratledge can play LG. If not draft him and left Howard/Scruggs/Tomlinson fight it out for the LG position. Ratledge is a stud.

I know you're against trading up in the 1st, so how would you feel about this

1-25 Zabel
2-58 Ratledge
3-79 Royals
3-89 Ferguson
5-166 Croskey- Merritt (I know you're looking for a 3 down RB)
7. Developmental CB
7. BPA
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I like where you are going with this, but this is a great draft for DT's, and we need to take one of those great DT's with either the 2nd or the early 3rd. If I were Nick (which I am not), I would be looking to trade 25 for a very early 2nd and an additional very early 3rd, and make it IOL, WR, DT, and RB (not necessarily in that order) with my 1st 4 picks. I would supplement those picks with BPA (and a CB) with the rest of the draft.
 
AggiebyMarriage said:
I like where you are going with this, but this is a great draft for DT's, and we need to take one of those great DT's with either the 2nd or the early 3rd. If I were Nick (which I am not), I would be looking to trade 25 for a very early 2nd and an additional very early 3rd, and make it IOL, WR, DT, and RB (not necessarily in that order) with my 1st 4 picks. I would supplement those picks with BPA (and a CB) with the rest of the draft.
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I could definitely get on board with this unless one of the OL I like Banks/Zabel/Jackson/Conerly or if by some miracle Loveland or Golden falls to 1-25. I could also see Caserio trading back and picking in the 2nd Williams or Burden and either Ratledge/Milum. That would be a great start to this draft IMHO. Solid long time starters and playmakers.
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
I’m not against trading up in the 1st. I actually think Nick will do so… but not giving up more than a 3rd which would be worth 5-6 spots. Any more than that price is too much for who would be available imo.

I’m fine with that draft though I wouldn’t go Zabel/Ratledge back to back. Redundant imo.
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Zabel and Ratledge are far from redundant. They're very different players. One is more of a technician the other is more of a power player. Both are extremely intelligent long time starters.
 
beerlover said:
Banks might just be, a Guard?
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Why do you think that?
BullRushTX said:
I like Xavier Restrepo in the 3rd.
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You could bang the table for Xavier much later in the draft.

I would bang the table for Kelvin Banks. Because he is the most accomplished and safest LT in the draft. I would find out how far and how much it would take to move up to draft him. He is the only player I would consider moving up for.

I would bang the table for Cam Skattebo in the 3rd round. It's not just that Skattebo is the most complete RB in the draft. It's that he can set a SWARM tone for the offense.

I'm a big fan of Elic Ayomanor. He's the most physical WR in the draft and has as much upside as any. Will catch over the middle, break tackles, and block.. Again, SWARM.
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
They bought a lotto ticket with Trent Brown and restructured Howard. They have 3 RTs (more if you count Deculus/Zach Thomas as guys who will make the team).

I think if they go OT it’ll be a guy they see playing LT. And it’ll be day 1. Conerly/Banks, hopefully Simmons is off their board but they have two other OTs with the same injury so maybe they don’t care about that.

I like Grant as a developmental prospect but I don’t really want to use a 2nd to get him. Feel more comfortable with a WR in the 2nd developing than him and would rather pick a more “sure thing” in round 1.
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Yes. I can see the Texans going Josh Simmons with the idea that he can sit behind Robinson for a season and then be one of the best left tackles in the nfl. If Simmons remains healthy and can beat Robinson out 2025 even better. I can say the same for left guard with Ohio State compadre Donovan Jackson although I can see him beating out Howard quickly.
If only Nick can find a way to also get Judkins; we would have to learn the words to the Ohio State University Fight Song!
 
Lucky said:
Why do you think that?

You could bang the table for Xavier much later in the draft.

I would bang the table for Kelvin Banks. Because he is the most accomplished and safest LT in the draft. I would find out how far and how much it would take to move up to draft him. He is the only player I would consider moving up for.

I would bang the table for Cam Skattebo in the 3rd round. It's not just that Skattebo is the most complete RB in the draft. It's that he can set a SWARM tone for the offense.

I'm a big fan of Elic Ayomanor. He's the most physical WR in the draft and has as much upside as any. Will catch over the middle, break tackles, and block.. Again, SWARM.
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Love these picks although I would pick different players. I'm certainly on board with moving up for Banks. Rumor has it that the Bears are seriously considering Banks at 1-10 though.

I've read that Ayomanor's hands are questionable. What have you seen from him? The only game I watched was when he torched Hunter. He looks like he's got more speed than most other big Stanford WR's.
 
badboy said:
Yes. I can see the Texans going Josh Simmons with the idea that he can sit behind Robinson for a season and then be one of the best left tackles in the nfl. If Simmons remains healthy and can beat Robinson out 2025 even better. I can say the same for left guard with Ohio State compadre Donovan Jackson although I can see him beating out Howard quickly.
If only Nick can find a way to also get Judkins; we would have to learn the words to the Ohio State University Fight Song!
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No to Simmons unless you think he will comeback better than say Howard did from the same injury.
 
I find it interesting that Walter has Conerly at 25 and Golden at 26. Also Donovan Jackson at 50. Treveyon Henderson and Judkins right behind.
 
steelbtexan said:
I've read that Ayomanor's hands are questionable. What have you seen from him?
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Ayomanor has has 6 drops in each of his 2 seasons in Palo Alto. One, his QB wasn't the most accurate and his ball placement wasn't conducive to easy catches. Two, Ayomanor is new to the game playing only one full season of HS ball and 2 seasons in college. He's still raw. But you can see the upside. RAC, strength, contested catches..Ayomayor is already ahead of the game. Former Canadian hockey player who loves the contact aspect of football.
 
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Lucky said:
Why do you think that?

You could bang the table for Xavier much later in the draft.

I would bang the table for Kelvin Banks. Because he is the most accomplished and safest LT in the draft. I would find out how far and how much it would take to move up to draft him. He is the only player I would consider moving up for.

I would bang the table for Cam Skattebo in the 3rd round. It's not just that Skattebo is the most complete RB in the draft. It's that he can set a SWARM tone for the offense.

I'm a big fan of Elic Ayomanor. He's the most physical WR in the draft and has as much upside as any. Will catch over the middle, break tackles, and block.. Again, SWARM.
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If Banks slides to the Texans, there’s a reason. Luckily, Texans also need a LG. So I’d be happy if they did. With good coaching, Popovich, it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility he could be Texans future LT. He’d be more of a mauler than dancing bear.
 
Lucky said:
Ayomanor has has 6 drops in each of his 2 seasons in Palo Alto. One, his QB wasn't the most accurate and his ball placement wasn't conducive to easy catches. Two, Ayomanor is new to the game playing only one full season of HS ball and 2 seasons in college. He's still raw. But you can see the upside. RAC, strength, contested catches..Ayomayor is already ahead of the game. Former Canadian hockey player who loves the contact aspect of football.
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These kinds of guys that love the physical part of football really appeal to me. The Colorado game I watched Ayomanor was simply better at the catch point than Hunter on many of his catches. He appeared to be plenty fast enough too. From the few highlights I've seen he's a great blocker. Gotta improve the hands though. This should happen as he plays more and gets and better QB play. I'm also betting he improves because he's hockey tough.


Who would you compare him t in the NFL?
 
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