I think a lot of these prospects will change their value come the combines, but this is my list of propects for each round as of right now.
Rnd #1:
a: Reggie Bush, RB
b: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT or Mario Williams, DE in a trade down (for no less than 1, 2, 3 and 1 next year)
Honorable Mention: Vernon Davis (after VY and Bush he is the best skill position play in the draft, but he won't be in our range at all)
Rnd #2:
a: Daryn Colledge, OT
b: Kai Parham, LB (watch his draft stock soar come the combines)
c: Stanley McClover, DE
d: Ko Simpson, S
3: Orien Harris, DT/3-4 DE
Rnd #3:
a: Greg Eslinger, OC/G
b: Nick Mangold, OC/G
c: Babatunde Oshinowo, NT/DT
d: Jason Allen, CB/FS
e: Victor Adeyanju, DE
f:
Rnd #4
a: Dominique Byrd
b: Donovan Raiola, OC/G
c: Jerious Norwood, RB
d: Johnathan Joseph, CB
e: Anthony Smith, S
f: Brandon Guillory, DE/OLB
Rnd #5-7
a: Brando Twito, TE/OT
b: Joe Toledo, OT
c: Lawrence Vickers, RB/FB
d: Tom Malone, P
e: Marcus Hudson, S
f: Garrett Mills, FB/TE
...and here would be an ideal draft:
1: Reggie Bush, RB USC - The offensive firepower would be skyhigh after this pick. AJ, Bush, DD, Mathis, and possibly Driver as a FA would give the Texans an explosive offense that only lacks the line to push it.
2: Kai Parham, LB Virginia - If you can get 9 sacks as a MLB against the ACC and lead your team in tackles what does that tell you? It tells you that you will be a dominate inside-the-box player in the NFL and a defensive cornerstone for years to come. 3-4, 4-3 it doesn't matter. Parham is a freak and will be disruptive anywhere (especially on 3rd down).
3a: Greg Eslinger, OC/G Minnesota - The prototypical interior OL for a zone blocking scheme. Eslinger has outstanding technique, athleticism, and work ethic. He is the kind of guy you need to help a struggling line.
3b: Jason Allen, CB/S Tennessee - Allen is really a steal at this point in the draft, and he would be a wonderful addition to the Texans' young secondary. He covers like a corner, but has the field presence to play safety. Allen's coverage skills would also be much needed to matchup with Dallas Clark, Ben Troupe, and Matt Jones twice a year. A solid pick.
4: Brandon Guillory, DE/OLB LA-Lafayette - With athleticism that rivals Manny Lawson, Guillory will make a big statement at the combines. He would be a great pass rusher, SLB, and special teams wrecking ball. A great pick to start the second day.
5: Garrett Mills, TE/FB Tulsa - In Kubiak's offense you need an athletic FB who is a receiving weapon. Mills has the perfect size and speed to be that guy. He can be a scary H-back at the NFL level, and he only needs to improve his blocking.
6: Brando Twito, TE/OT - Pittsburg State - A little known prospect with bigtime ability, Twito would be a great tackle in the mold of Matt Lepsis. With the expectation of bringing in Lepsis from Denver, Twito could slowly develop at tackle and still be a receiving threat at the goal line.
7: Tom Malone, P USC - Something tells me he won't last this long, but with his leg he would change field position in a flash. People are learning how important good special teams are in this league, and the Texans would be at the top with return men like Mathis, P-Bucc, and Bush, great coverage teams, and a punter like Malone.
Major FAs: John Abraham, Matt Lepsis, and (just maybe) Tom Nalen
