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Should the Texans Draft a FS?

J

JimC

Practice Squad
The conventional wisdom is that the Texans will draft a free safety on Saturday, probably in the 4th round.

The problem with that plan is that all of the top free safety prospects are already off of the board. If the Texans take a free safety this year, they'll almost certainly need to make it a priority in next year's draft as well to get a quality starter.

So the question is: Are they Texans better off getting solid depth at other positions with quality players on the board and saving FS for next year, when they'll probably draft one in the first 2 rounds anyway?

Now that the Texans have gotten likely starters in the first two rounds, I'm inclined to think they should take the best available players at positions where they need depth. I wouldn't make free safety a priority; if they really like a player then great, otherwise move one. If they don't find a FS they really like, try to find one in free agency -- maybe a former Cowboy?

Maximize the value of the picks this year. Next year, when the Texans are likely to have few holes in their lineup, get a quality starter at free safety in the first two rounds.
 
Reshad Jones and Robert Johnson (someone cue the blues) are still on the board as FS. I'd be happy with either of them at the 4th pick of the 4th.

BUT. There are a ton of good CBs still out there: Dominique Franks, AOA, Perish Cox, AJ Jefferson, Syd'Quan Thompson, etc.

And there's still some great OL out there with Tennant, Petrus, Newhouse, Black, Fox, etc. You could even take a shot on Bruce Campbell at this point.

But from here on out, you could probably just go BPA (without regard for need) and get some great players.
 
I'd love to try out Myron Rolle in one of the later rounds. I feel like he has some potential. Also we would have the highest IQ in the league, easily.
 
I don't think it's imperative. They missed out on the top tier guys and are pretty happy with Wilson/Barber. I know this is probably fan-wish more than reality, but they also have Quin and Molden who project well at FS.

I don't think they're adverse to it, but I don't think it's a priority. As things have shaken out, I'd rather them grab another RB and CB than reach on a FS, personally. Though, I'd be giddy if they picked Owusu Ansah.
 
Esoom said:
I'd love to try out Myron Rolle in one of the later rounds. I feel like he has some potential. Also we would have the highest IQ in the league, easily.
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Totally on board with this thought. He's cheap, and should make a solid, if unspectacular pro within the next season or two.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah can play Safety. He is rated way higher than Myron Rolle. Let's Roll with Akwasi.
 
stingray said:
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah can play Safety. He is rated way higher than Myron Rolle. Let's Roll with Akwasi.
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I would love if we picked up Akwasi Owusu-Ansah. I think Myron Rolle in, say, the 6th round would be a steal though.
 
Can't believe I'm saying this, but I don't think FS is one of our bigger needs anymore. Wilson has kind of made it a "Don't spend a high pick on it unless he is also BPA, because we have higher needs" kind of need.

As far as what we positions we get from 4th round on, Pft, just take whatever projects and/or depth looks like BPA I guess. Heck, let's get like 3 or 4 kickers and see if one pans out, LOL.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
3 injured and not going to be ready for TC.

3.
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True. That i something I did not consider. But still, how are we going to find roster spots for the 5 that get past camp? OD is legit when healthy. Hill and Casey are only in their second year. Dressen is a good backup, and we just drafted a guy. Someone has to go on IR this means. And if so, I am ok with this pick. If not, then I am not happy.
 
rmartin65 said:
True. That i something I did not consider. But still, how are we going to find roster spots for the 5 that get past camp? OD is legit when healthy. Hill and Casey are only in their second year. Dressen is a good backup, and we just drafted a guy. Someone has to go on IR this means. And if so, I am ok with this pick. If not, then I am not happy.
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I think Hill is a lot more injured than they were letting on. I think he's going on IR early. I think that's what this pick means.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
I think Hill is a lot more injured than they were letting on. I think he's going on IR early. I think that's what this pick means.
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I could see that. I am still a little bothered though. A TE was not a need. Even with Hill out, we could have taken one in the 7th or UDFA or something. I still think that beefing up the line is more important than a 4th string TE. Because on those obvious run situations/goal line situations, just but another tackle in there. Oh well, I have hit the apathetic phase. We will see what happens in rookie camp and training camp, and the pre-season. When the season rolls around, we should have a better idea of how this draft went (from an immediate impact point of view).
 
The question should now be "Why didn't the Texans draft a FS?"

Its obviously one of the biggest needs on the team once the CB & RB positions were addressed.
 
Judging by all of the UDFA FS that have been scooped up by other teams, I can only assume the Texans are not worried about having depth.
 
Here's how I'm "rationalizing" this because I would have loved to have FS addressed.

1st - CB was a bigger need than FS, Jackson was "their guy" as evidenced by being selected over Wilson and McCourty. Could be argued there were no better players available. Nate Allen next best FS available, but I like standing pat and taking CB.

2nd - RB was a bigger need than FS, Tate fits "ZBS RB" to a T. We take a huge gamble by not addressing RB in the 1st/2nd. RB not only a bigger need but the RB's available also rated higher (as best speculated by me).

3rd - DT could be argued as a bigger need than FS. We have to get a consistent pass rush up the middle. The 3rd seemed to be a likely spot to grab a DT, OG or a FS. I have no problem going with a penetrating DT to add to the rotation.

4th - 7th - This was the first "non need" selection going with a LB. Supposedly a good player, probably will play ST's some and provide depth at each position - that's called value. This group knows LB talent. We then grab a TE (the more I look into it the more I'm okay with this pick). All the injuries/surgeries to the position? ouch. Apparently they think highly of Graham. This group also knows TE talent. Grab another Corner which is/will be typical of a Smith-lead draft. Can never have enough corners. Grab OL depth to try and develop with Smith; a return man ace in Holiday; and a TE/WR that appears to be a huge steal. If memory serves me correctly, Marques Colston was a TE/WR tweener... this guy Dickerson could be similar, purely a case of BPA.

From the 4th round on it appears we went for guys they felt could be good football players, stick on the team, contribute and were probably rated high(est) on their board. I truly feel that this team is getting loaded with talent and I find it hard for the guys 4th round - 7th round to make a HUGE impact as starters next season. Enter the FS position. I'm conceding the first 3 rounds (yall are welcome to disagree) as good positional need picks with CB/RB/DT. I don't know that I would pick a FS over any of our guys with who was available. I find it hard to believe any of the guys available later in the draft would have made a huge impact outside of special teams next year. There really weren't very many highly thought of safeties that dropped.

Now we've signed, two undrafted FS's to come in and compete. Odds are against them. With that said, what would have happened if we would have drafted one of them in the 6th or 7th round? I'm sure a lot of people would be saying "we addressed the need at FS, however it's awfully late". Instead we got higher rated players that have a better chance to impact this team. Where do you think the cutoff was for FS's we could have drafted to come in and start over Wilson or Barber? 4th or 5th? What I'm saying is by looking at it this way, it really limits what they or we would have done in the draft besides just addressing the position for the sake of addressing it.I'm surprised we didn't address the position but it's hard to fill every need... plus our staff has never seemed to place a high value on the S position (not saying i agree). But I'm kind of glad at how we addressed the 3rd day: by taking the highest rated players they had available vs. reaching on a prospect to fill a need. This is how you increase the overall talent of your team in the long haul, and this year for the short term too (in my opinion).

What do yall think? Maybe its just my rose colored glasses, koolaid in my veins, maybe I'm just rationalizing what they do since I have no control over it and I don't want to go crazy? :)
 
Hagar said:
The question should now be "Why didn't the Texans draft a FS?"

Its obviously one of the biggest needs on the team once the CB & RB positions were addressed.
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Eugene Wilson is an above average NFL starter when he's healthy. The problem is he has not been healthy much over the past 4 years. The FO also has a lot of faith in Dominique Barber. That's why.

I think we only needed to add an elite FS like Berry or Thomas or maybe Nate Allen, after that I'm okay with passing on it.
 
According to LZ, the UDFA they got at FS from Indiana might be able to compete for the job and win it by next year. He was a steal to some late but didn't go. From what they were talking the Texans never have put too much importance on FS. Afterall there are plenty of TEs that can convert to safety..lol :toast2:
 
Ole Miss Texan said:
Here's how I'm "rationalizing" this because I would have loved to have FS addressed.

1st - CB was a bigger need than FS, Jackson was "their guy" as evidenced by being selected over Wilson and McCourty. Could be argued there were no better players available. Nate Allen next best FS available, but I like standing pat and taking CB.

2nd - RB was a bigger need than FS, Tate fits "ZBS RB" to a T. We take a huge gamble by not addressing RB in the 1st/2nd. RB not only a bigger need but the RB's available also rated higher (as best speculated by me).

3rd - DT could be argued as a bigger need than FS. We have to get a consistent pass rush up the middle. The 3rd seemed to be a likely spot to grab a DT, OG or a FS. I have no problem going with a penetrating DT to add to the rotation.

4th - 7th - This was the first "non need" selection going with a LB. Supposedly a good player, probably will play ST's some and provide depth at each position - that's called value. This group knows LB talent. We then grab a TE (the more I look into it the more I'm okay with this pick). All the injuries/surgeries to the position? ouch. Apparently they think highly of Graham. This group also knows TE talent. Grab another Corner which is/will be typical of a Smith-lead draft. Can never have enough corners. Grab OL depth to try and develop with Smith; a return man ace in Holiday; and a TE/WR that appears to be a huge steal. If memory serves me correctly, Marques Colston was a TE/WR tweener... this guy Dickerson could be similar, purely a case of BPA.

From the 4th round on it appears we went for guys they felt could be good football players, stick on the team, contribute and were probably rated high(est) on their board. I truly feel that this team is getting loaded with talent and I find it hard for the guys 4th round - 7th round to make a HUGE impact as starters next season. Enter the FS position. I'm conceding the first 3 rounds (yall are welcome to disagree) as good positional need picks with CB/RB/DT. I don't know that I would pick a FS over any of our guys with who was available. I find it hard to believe any of the guys available later in the draft would have made a huge impact outside of special teams next year. There really weren't very many highly thought of safeties that dropped.

Now we've signed, two undrafted FS's to come in and compete. Odds are against them. With that said, what would have happened if we would have drafted one of them in the 6th or 7th round? I'm sure a lot of people would be saying "we addressed the need at FS, however it's awfully late". Instead we got higher rated players that have a better chance to impact this team. Where do you think the cutoff was for FS's we could have drafted to come in and start over Wilson or Barber? 4th or 5th? What I'm saying is by looking at it this way, it really limits what they or we would have done in the draft besides just addressing the position for the sake of addressing it.I'm surprised we didn't address the position but it's hard to fill every need... plus our staff has never seemed to place a high value on the S position (not saying i agree). But I'm kind of glad at how we addressed the 3rd day: by taking the highest rated players they had available vs. reaching on a prospect to fill a need. This is how you increase the overall talent of your team in the long haul, and this year for the short term too (in my opinion).

What do yall think? Maybe its just my rose colored glasses, koolaid in my veins, maybe I'm just rationalizing what they do since I have no control over it and I don't want to go crazy? :)
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Tey should've tried to use both 4th rders to trade up and take Burnett. IMHO
 
HoustonFrog said:
According to LZ, the UDFA they got at FS from Indiana might be able to compete for the job and win it by next year. He was a steal to some late but didn't go. From what they were talking the Texans never have put too much importance on FS. Afterall there are plenty of TEs that can convert to safety..lol :toast2:
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The undrafted guy(s) we got are apparently pretty good. In looking at late round vs. undrafted, I think its a good idea to draft a guy like TE/WR or a guy like Holiday b/c then your 'guaranteed' to sign him and have him on your team. These guys might find a better situation as undrafted fa's and not sign with you. Where as an undrafted FA that can pick what team he wants to go to (assuming there are several interested in him) could choose Houston, for any number of reasons, but importantly is the chance to make the team and contribute... not just be a camp body.

But one thing I forgot to mention in my previous post, that you alluded to, is about the future. I like Wilson as our starter next season and think it would be hard for a 3rd day or undrafted rookie to beat him out. BUT... he could get injured again and what we probabaly need most is a FS grooming for the 2011 season or beyond. Not so much 2010 but for the following year. I'm interested in what Troy Nolan (our 7th rounder last year) has to offer too.
 
steelbtexan said:
Tey should've tried to use both 4th rders to trade up and take Burnett. IMHO
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Now this is something I could kind of get onboard with. I like Morgan Burnett a lot and think he's going to be a player but he also seems to be more of a SS than FS? Correct me if I'm wrong. I hate giving up on a couple players to get one... but that's what happens sometimes. To make matters worse, after we selected Tate I was kind of hoping we'd package our 3rd rounders to move up and select Jon Asamoah. Good suggestion steelb with the 4ths, because if they would have done that, I probably would have been onboard with it! lol
 
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