Scouting the '08 draft

[threetoedpete]

So draft nicks....who are you seeing out there that you like. I guess the big three are CB, FS and RB. Anyone impressing you so far ?

Particalarly interested in The LT at Old Miss, Micheal Ohr. Think the big kid at LT at alabama has looked very good so far. Be awhile waiting for him thoguh.

I like Ian Johnson a lot. He tends to dance too much. His size and blocking are suspect. But he may be there in the third round because of those negitives. I think he's coachable. He sees a hole, he hits it. He has very quick feet.

 

[bah007]

We could see as many as 5 CBs go in the 1st round. It's unlikely, but CB is the 2nd most important position on a football team, so teams will be drafting them high again.

I like Justin King, DeJuan Tribble, & Antoine Cason right now.

Safety is lacking in top talent. Kenny Phillips will go in the 1st round if he declares & Craig Steltz is lookin good for LSU.

 

[badboy]

I am hopeful that Spencer will make it back soon enough this season to give coaches an eval of how he is going to do. If he can handle starter in 08 then Salaam should be ok for 1-2 more seasons. I am not a Jordan Black fan. If LT is not an issue, we should still be able to get a good corner in first and a decent FS in 3rd. It remains to be seen how we will do at RB this year. Don't forget that we have been very successful recently with 4th round and later picks.

 

[beerlover]

this would be a good time for Rick Smith to trade down & pick up extra picks. it would be sweet to have an early 2nd rd. pick & still grab a premier cb on the rise. I really, really like Tracy Porter from Indiana. solid tackler * (which is very important) good speed sub 4.4 * natural intincts in space & reacts/reads well* with excellent cover skills* projected mid-low 2nd rd.

I feel Center is now more of a need for the Texans than tackle (still praying for Charles Spencer). there is one in this draft who fits what the Texans do & would probably start at some point next season, then for the next 10 years & his name is Steve Justice of Wake Forrest watch a game & check him out.

Addressing the RB position via the draft depends entirely on the underclassman that come out early. not much here. I would prefer to go after the Chargers Michael Turner assuming the price comes down or wait til the 08 underclassman declare. I really like C.J. Spiller Clemson & Knowshon Moreno Georgia

 

[real]

Rivers from USC

 

[Errant Hothy]

Rivers from USC

I too like Rivers

I also like Cason from Arizona

And at RB, I still like Jonathon Stewart from Oregeon.

 

[YoungTexanFan]

Ok. Here is a quick break down from YTF. This is my claim to fame, so hopefully this helps.

At CB, there is a lot of talent. Cason is the most talked about, but isn't really the best. He is a late first rounder probably, but his name has been out there similar to Leon Hall's was last year.

My favorite CB's are Aquib Talib from Kansas and Justin King from Penn St.

Talib reminds me and a few other draft guys I talk to of Champ Bailey back at Georgia. He has good size for a CB, and plays offense as well. I think he projects better than the last CB/WR to come out in Gamble. I never really like Gamble, he gave too much cushion and wasn't a standout at either position, just hyped. Talib led the nation in pass breakups last year, and has 2 ints and 4 TD's this year, including a 103 yard int return last week.

FS is pretty thin, with Phillips being the big name. There are some questions surrounding his ability to play FS as opposed to a rangy SS. Regardless, he is the cream of the crop at S.

LT is potentially a good group. I'm not a big fan of Oher at LT, just like I'm not a big fan of Spencer at LT. I think both are better suited for RG in the NFL. Long is my least favorite prospect in the draft right now, as was his former teammate last year for me. Seems to be a Michigan themed tradition of overrated players. Anyways, Long is about the 4th-5th best OT on my board. Baker is a toss up, he has all the physical ability in the world, but he has a lot of questions around him.

Props to the poster who pointed out the Alabama LT already, he isn't able to declare just yet, being only a true Sophomore I believe, but I was on his bandwagon last season, and there are posts in the archives that will document this as well.

BC has a pretty good looking OT as well in Cherilious, but he has some off the field concerns from the past.

RB is potentially the deepest it's been in any draft of the past decade. Everyone knows about McFadden, Slaton, Rice, and Stewart. Some guys floating just below their level of recognizability are some of my favorites in CJ Spiller and Felix Jones. I'm not a big fan of Ian Stewart, but he will probably get drafted early second day because of hype again.

 

[YoungTexanFan]

Rivers from USC

We only have 1 first round pick, and LB isn't a high priority. Rivers is a talent, but so are the other USC LB's, and a lot of their defense. We need to pick where we have holes, not add a player likely to platoon or be a reserve. We need to improve our main weaknesses such as DB's.

 

[YoungTexanFan]

Adding on to my prospect list:

Craig Steltz​

It's hard not to like a player like Craig Steltz unless you're a fan of the opposing team. He's a smart safety who diagnoses plays well and is rarely caught out of position. He makes up for his lack of speed with his awareness. He looks smooth when he's backpedaling and does a good job of turning and flipping his hips on the run without slowing down. He has fantastic hands. Anytime he gets his hands near the ball it's almost a guaranteed interception. He's constantly in the right place at the right time. Even when he's not in position to make the interception he's able to lay a big hit and knock the ball loose. The two major knocks on Steltz are his lack of speed and experience as a starter. Although this is his first year as a starter, he has played a good amount of snaps in past years as the third safety, especially when Jesse Daniels was battling nagging injuries. Remember, it's not like Steltz all of sudden came out of the abyss. He was a four star recruit and one of the top safety prospects out of Louisiana. He was born to play safety and looks very comfortable doing so. With a down year in terms of overall safety prospects I wouldn't be surprised if Steltz is drafted in the late second to early third round range.
-LSUSAINT from the FootballsFuture MB.


He is probably my pick for FS right now. He is just instinctive. A natural FS. He is under the radar I guess you could say right now, with a 3rd round grade by most places/people. I think he would be a very good pickup for the Texans. Not the biggest or fastest, just a player. Think DeMeco type player at FS.

 

[Errant Hothy]

We only have 1 first round pick, and LB isn't a high priority. Rivers is a talent, but so are the other USC LB's, and a lot of their defense. We need to pick where we have holes, not add a player likely to platoon or be a reserve. We need to improve our main weaknesses such as DB's.

I think Rivers would start over both Greenwood or Clark.

Alot is going to depend on where we are drafting.

 

[YoungTexanFan]

I think Rivers would start over both Greenwood or Clark.

Alot is going to depend on where we are drafting.

Regardless of wether or not he could start over what we have isn't relevant to me right now. LB is easily one of our deepest and most talented positions. There is no need to draft a position that is not a need right now. As much as we would like to think, we aren't in a position to draft BPA. We need DB help. We need a #1 CB, we need a FS, and we need another WR and RB.

 

[Errant Hothy]

Regardless of wether or not he could start over what we have isn't relevant to me right now. LB is easily one of our deepest and most talented positions. There is no need to draft a position that is not a need right now. As much as we would like to think, we aren't in a position to draft BPA. We need DB help. We need a #1 CB, we need a FS, and we need another WR and RB.

I disagree, I don't think it's that deep nor that talented at LB. Greenwood and Clark can be upgraded, Orr and Anderson are limited in what they can do, Diles is still a risk to me.

I think you should always draft BPA, with an eye toward need. If it comes to out turn to drfat and Rivers is the top of the board, and there is not much comprable talent, we should draft Rivers. It's alot like the Willis situation from last year, and yes I think Rivers is as good as Willis.

 

[YoungTexanFan]

I disagree, I don't think it's that deep nor that talented at LB. Greenwood and Clark can be upgraded, Orr and Anderson are limited in what they can do, Diles is still a risk to me.

I think you should always draft BPA, with an eye toward need. If it comes to out turn to drfat and Rivers is the top of the board, and there is not much comprable talent, we should draft Rivers. It's alot like the Willis situation from last year, and yes I think Rivers is as good as Willis.

The difference in arguements is that I'm looking at the LB class this year as being the best since I started scouting. Rivers isn't even the consenus best LB on his team. We can pick up a similar LB later in the draft, and can focus more on a need BPA as opposed to a pure BPA. We just aren't in the position you put us in.

 

[Errant Hothy]

The difference in arguements is that I'm looking at the LB class this year as being the best since I started scouting. Rivers isn't even the consenus best LB on his team. We can pick up a similar LB later in the draft, and can focus more on a need BPA as opposed to a pure BPA. We just aren't in the position you put us in.

It's a difference of opinion, I'm stil not convinced that this team is fully recoverd from the ravages of Casserly.

Or to put it another way, we still need help all over the field. Hopefully a few players can step up and lessen some of those needs (QB (Schaub is essentially still a rookie, games played wise) DT, DE and WR), but other then that I don't think we are in a position to ingore talent at any position.

Look, I'm not saying that we should lock onto LB in the first round; but if a LB is the best available at the time we should pick him. With the way this year's draft is shaping up I don't think that will be the case, but this is one of those topics I love to talk about.

 

[YoungTexanFan]

I get what you are saying, but I guess it is just difference of opinion. This team is not close to being recovered from C&C, but we are working our way there. However, we still have the same two glaring needs we did right before Smith and Kubiak took over. Looking at this particular draft, I see players that we can focus in on at positions of need. I'm not opposed to BPA, just not in the first round in our position. BPA is more of a 3rd round on mentality seen by many rebuilding teams.

 

[76Texan]

As a Cougar fan, I think Anthony Alridge is exceptionally quick.
He can be used as a scat back or WR, return man for cheap.
Unless he really explodes and get onto the national stage.

Hey, what's wrong with Casserly?
He's responsible for, or at least had a hand in

McKinney, Flanagan, Pitts, Weary, Spencer, Salaam, Winston, Rosenfels, AJ, Mathis, Kris Brown, Mario, TJ, Weaver, Orr, Kalu, Demeco, Greenwood, Dunta, Faggins, Earl, CC Brown, Simmons.

Did I miss anybody or overstate some names???

 

[tulexan]

I'd like us to take a look at Matt Forte from Tulane if available in the 3rd round or later. He is big, fast, and can catch. His game last week was unbelievable (althought it was against a bad team). 40 carries for 303 yards and 5 touchdowns. He is averaging 6.1 yards per carry for the season and is on pace for over 1700 yards rushing and 20+ TDs (over 2000 all purpose yards for the ESPN fans).

 

[76Texan]

I'd like us to take a look at Matt Forte from Tulane if available in the 3rd round or later. He is big, fast, and can catch. His game last week was unbelievable (althought it was against a bad team). 40 carries for 303 yards and 5 touchdowns. He is averaging 6.1 yards per carry for the season and is on pace for over 1700 yards rushing and 20+ TDs (over 2000 all purpose yards for the ESPN fans).

That was a great game for Forte.

But he didn't do much against the Bulldogs nor the Cougars.
Let's see what he can do this week against the Tigers.

 

[rollinstone18]

If we don't catch a fish in free agency I'd go OL or CB with our 1st rounder.

I'm hoping we sign Alan Faneca and/or Asante Samuel.

Aqib Talib would be my first choice if we get Faneca, Barry Richardson if we get Samuel. And if my prayers are answered and we get both then I'd like to draft Dan Connor, Keith Rivers, or James Laurinaitis.

There seems to be a lot of depth at OL, CB, and RB if a few juniors from each group decide to forgo their senior season.

 

[tulexan]

That was a great game for Forte.

But he didn't do much against the Bulldogs nor the Cougars.
Let's see what he can do this week against the Tigers.

Don't expect much. It's been hard for him because this is the first time in several years where QB is major weak point and they have completely changed the offense from a spread to west coast.

 

[beerlover]

It's alot like the Willis situation from last year, and yes I think Rivers is as good as Willis.

You might want to retract that last statement Rivers is good but he doesnt project to the inside like Willis. He would be a good fit for the Texans, alongside DeMeco & use his athleticism but you should know the focus will be on the secondary.

I want to see us trade down get an extra #1 next year & a 2nd this year like the winning organizations are able to do- take advantage of the weak

 

[Carr Bombed]

I'm in the trade down camp as well.

Fill some major holes with the cap space we will have (we need talent that can compete right now...this team is ready) and pick up a 2nd rounder this year and a high pick draft pick in the 09 draft.

 

[Bubbajwp]

There is two osu guys I really like James Laurinaitis LB, and Malcolm Jenkins CB.

Surprised they have not been mentioned.

 

[Corrosion]

I know we are all Texans Fans and accustomed to our team sucking so bad that we start thinking about the next draft right after we make our final pick in the previous one . But this year things are different .... This aint the same ole Texans. We should be talking PLAY-OFFS (or at least next weeks game) not next years Draft !

 

[rollinstone18]

There is two osu guys I really like James Laurinaitis LB, and Malcolm Jenkins CB.

Surprised they have not been mentioned.

I said Laurinatis was one of the 3 LBs I'd use a 1st round pick on.

On trading down - how about trading our first round pick for both of Atlanta's 2nd round picks? Make it happen Rick!

 

[Errant Hothy]

Trading down is so much easier said then done.

 

[tulexan]

I think it's easier when you have a lower draft pick because the point differential is not as big.

 

[Errant Hothy]

I think it's easier when you have a lower draft pick because the point differential is not as big.

No doubt, but still only see a single team or two manage a trade down each year.

 

[beerlover]

the teams who historically trade out are the better teams, hence somewhere in the 20's. they already have a solid base foundation of players & maintain that solid base by adding quality in numbers. maybe not instant household names but in the end sometimes equal/superior players in the end for their systems. You can now realisticly include the Texans in that group that need high quality & quanity over a select elite core of players which they have entrenched in already in place.

last year was a coin flip but the temptation to add another elite defensive linemen too much to pass on. still plenty of talent left on the board many of which hung around late 1st to mid 2nd just ripe for the picken. Package deals of teams moving up include (Jets- Revis, Broncos- Moss, Browns- Brady, Hawks- Merriweather, Cowpokes- Spencer, 49ers- Staley, Cards- Branch, Bills- Posluszny, Eagles- Kolb, Chargers- Weddle, Raiders- Miller, Falscons- Blalock, Colts- Ugoh) thats only teams trading up double that with the other end of the equation plus all the 1st rd & future picks traded away. now your all telling me there is not much trade activity? that teams cannot make deals (easier said than done) your lucky if even one trade gets done? geesh, check the facts man this is riddikulus-

 

[tulexan]

No doubt, but still only see a single team or two manage a trade down each year.

Seems like the Pats manage to do it a lot.

 

[Errant Hothy]

Seems like the Pats manage to do it a lot.

I would say that the Pats do more trading out then down, ie they tend to be more then happy to trade away a 1st in Year A for a pick in a later round in Year A and a 2nd first in Year B. I see a big difference then trading down in Round 1 and trading out of Round 1. I don't think the Texans are far enough along where they can trade out of Round 1. I think after the 1st round trades get done fairly easily, it's just the first round where trades are more difficult, espically when both teams still want 1st round picks.

Maybe it's the fact that I'm so used to hearing the trade down chant every year here, and the Texans have only traded done once (the 8 to 10 in the Shcaub trade is a different animal). They've also traded up once and I don't really think that deal worked out that well for either team. Maybe it's because with the cap room we'll have this year, I don't think we need to sacrifice any draft spots to recover the 2nd rounder from the Schaub trade?

I also feel that sometimes some team's can do too much wheelin'-n-dealin' (see the all the moves the Cowboys made the year they drafted Quincy Carter...some of those deals achieved nothing).

 

[Giant Tiger]

You might want to retract that last statement Rivers is good but he doesnt project to the inside like Willis. He would be a good fit for the Texans, alongside DeMeco & use his athleticism but you should know the focus will be on the secondary.

I want to see us trade down get an extra #1 next year & a 2nd this year like the winning organizations are able to do- take advantage of the weak

I was thinking of that myself but how do you do it? Do you trade down to (say 26-32) ? Or do you trade to a weaker team that has already picked in the 1st & is targeting a certain player (Cleveland with Quinn) ?

Is there a team without a 1st round pick that is so desperate to give up multiple picks in exchange for that player they're targeting?

 

[76Texan]

Don't expect much. It's been hard for him because this is the first time in several years where QB is major weak point and they have completely changed the offense from a spread to west coast.

I was able to watch the game. Forte could be considered, but we still need to see more of him to be able to tell.

Who are the two guys on D? #99 & #57, do you have more insides on these guys?

 

[Errant Hothy]

I'm surprised nobody had mentioned the WR from Rice. Dillard, right?

 

[tulexan]

I was able to watch the game. Forte could be considered, but we still need to see more of him to be able to tell.

Who are the two guys on D? #99 & #57, do you have more insides on these guys?

Forte actually played a better game than I expected. I think they purposely kept his carries low because he had so many the week before and they didn't want to risk serious injury for the rest of the season. The fumble he had was costly but I think it was more of a great strip than him being careless with the ball. He should return to form next week against Army.

57 is Antonio Harris. He is a 6'3 285 DT. He has 20 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. He is a high motor player who I believe is the defensive captain.

99 is Frank Morton. He is a 6'3 327 DT. He has 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, .5 sack, and 0 forced fumbles.

 

[76Texan]

I'm surprised nobody had mentioned the WR from Rice. Dillard, right?

I guess besides brand name recognition, so far he doesn't have as good a year as last year, true?

How fast is he?

For the Cougars, Anthony Alridge and Donnie Avery both had been timed under 4.30 in the forty. That's faster than anybody the Texans ever had, I believe.

 

[76Texan]

Forte actually played a better game than I expected. I think they purposely kept his carries low because he had so many the week before and they didn't want to risk serious injury for the rest of the season. The fumble he had was costly but I think it was more of a great strip than him being careless with the ball. He should return to form next week against Army.

57 is Antonio Harris. He is a 6'3 285 DT. He has 20 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. He is a high motor player who I believe is the defensive captain.

99 is Frank Morton. He is a 6'3 327 DT. He has 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, .5 sack, and 0 forced fumbles.

Forte seems to be pretty good at making quick decision on which hole to hit. I like that, but need to see more of him to be sure.

I like both the Defensive guys.
I thought Morton had a better game than the numbers show.

 

[real]

We only have 1 first round pick, and LB isn't a high priority. Rivers is a talent, but so are the other USC LB's, and a lot of their defense. We need to pick where we have holes, not add a player likely to platoon or be a reserve. We need to improve our main weaknesses such as DB's.

I disagree with a lot of your football takes...

this un is jus' anuthur....

 

[real]

He would be a good fit for the Texans, alongside DeMeco & use his athleticism but you should know the focus will be on the secondary.

Just like last draft, right ?

I don't think many people hat DT on their first round list of needs.

I have faith that the Texans are going to draft well and if drafting well consist of drafting a first round line backer then I'm all for it.

BPA in '08 or trade down and take BPA. That's what I want.

 

[kastofsna]

BPA is the way to go in just about every situation. you just can't hurt the team by adding more talent.

 

[beerlover]

Just like last draft, right ?

I don't think many people hat DT on their first round list of needs.

I have faith that the Texans are going to draft well and if drafting well consist of drafting a first round line backer then I'm all for it.

BPA in '08 or trade down and take BPA. That's what I want.

I hope we don't have a top 10 pick again its more clearcut to take the bpa when you are (@ the time Amobi was at the top of my draft board as well) the underlying need was they felt compelled to add talent to the DL & give Mario more talent to offset double teams. speaking of 10th picks Dunta Robinson has proven a wise selection himself, in that draft DeAngelo was the 8th overall pick I wonder what it would take to make a trade with Atlanta, again, for his servcies? the only cb in the draft that looks ready to contribute @ the next level, DeJuan Tribble will also be a top 10 pick.

Ideally you address need via trades & free agency & add bpa via the draft

 

[Ole Miss Texan]

I'm in the trade down camp as well...I always am, haha. Obviously it depends on the players available and finding a partner to trade with. If we can do this- I would be happy happy, if we can get an extra day 1 pick that would be phenominal.

It's hard to tell how much Bennet will develop at CB for us this season. I'd like a trade down and look at a quality cb/fs w/ our first pick. I think RB is also going to be a need, and we would probably be able to find a guy that fits our team well in the late first or 2nd round...like mentioned this draft is fairly deep.

I'm a huge fan of Michael Oher, the LT from Ole Miss. He is a guy that really needs to stay his senior year to develop that much more. I think he'll be really good but needs to stay in school. I went to the Ole Miss/ Georgia game and watched him as much as I could. I will say he absolutely dominated on plays, but didn't have a good game, imo. There were several plays where he just got beat bad and missed some blocks in pass protection. I was a little dissappointed in his play.

Mentioned earlier was Moreno (sp?) rb from Georgia. I was really impressed with both of their RB's. I think Moreno was a freshman though? The other guy had some really good moves and was able to stay on his feet. (I think he's #20). The radio announcers on the way to the game said something like "well the UGA RB's should have a big game with Patrick Willis no longer playing for the Rebels. That guy was pretty much guaranteed 30 tackles a game" It was quite humorous but true. I don't know how much of it was a weak defense by Ole Miss, but Georgia's RB's are some to keep an eye on.

 

[cuongnet]

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[painekiller]

I thought the Boise State LT looked pretty solid in the limited time I watched the NMS game. Ryan Clady, he is only a junior, so not sure if he will be in this draft or next years.

 

[Ole Miss Texan]

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WTF is this $hit? Welcome to the texans board, now don't post this crap ever again.

 

[badboy]

I'm in the trade down camp as well.

Fill some major holes with the cap space we will have (we need talent that can compete right now...this team is ready) and pick up a 2nd rounder this year and a high pick draft pick in the 09 draft.

I'm puzzled as we should be no higher than 14 imo. Why would any team swap firsts AND give us a second?

 

[threetoedpete]

I said Laurinatis was one of the 3 LBs I'd use a 1st round pick on.

On trading down - how about trading our first round pick for both of Atlanta's 2nd round picks? Make it happen Rick!

Yep I'm counting three OLBs on one Mike. Dan Conner is another one. That would be rich ...they see a QB they just gotta have and trade back into the first with us. We get our original two back.

I don't know if you saw the replay of the Titans/Falcons game....but the tacks did everyting except lay down and the Flacons offense spit the bit. They will have a top five pick. Oh...the falcons just lost their grey beard OLT in the game as well. Funny how that thirty something thingy OLTs wheels fall off keeps popping up. Well maybe not so strange.

 

[threetoedpete]

I hope we don't have a top 10 pick again its more clearcut to take the bpa when you are (@ the time Amobi was at the top of my draft board as well) the underlying need was they felt compelled to add talent to the DL & give Mario more talent to offset double teams. speaking of 10th picks Dunta Robinson has proven a wise selection himself, in that draft DeAngelo was the 8th overall pick I wonder what it would take to make a trade with Atlanta, again, for his servcies? the only cb in the draft that looks ready to contribute @ the next level, DeJuan Tribble will also be a top 10 pick.

Ideally you address need via trades & free agency & add bpa via the draft

Ssssssh, YTF maybe lurking. The only thing I see they can do for a FS, assuming we're not in a positon to take Kenney Phillips...if he decalres, and also Asumming that Kubes isn't going to select a smurf FS...is convert a big corner. If they were going down the grooming road Josh Gattis would already be on the roster.

 

[YoungTexanFan]

Ssssssh, YTF maybe lurking. The only thing I see they can do for a FS, assuming we're not in a positon to take Kenney Phillips...if he decalres, and also Asumming that Kubes isn't going to select a smurf FS...is convert a big corner. If they were going down the grooming road Josh Gattis would already be on the roster.

I do not really support "grooming" a player like Gattis. I was never high on him last year personally, but as a rule, I like players over size. Sure, there will be a guy like Gaither who will come along and both dominate and have incredible numbers, and also lose his screws. The draft is a crapshoot mostly, and BPA isn't always the best way to go. Excluding Carson Palmer, very few #1 overall QB's have worked out recently. I would rather target a top talent CB in either the draft or FA, put my eggs in that basket, and play the spinning wheel at S with what we have now excluding Brown.

 

[real]

C.C Brown is our best safety....