We all know the Texans having a gaping hole at free safety. Wilson is old and injury prone, and Barber has not impressed me. But this led me to thinking about the other safety position. At first, this may come as a shock. We have Pollard. Pollard was a huge part of the D's turn around last year. But what if he goes down? Do you all remember what that was like? I think that the Texans would be in much better position if they drafted another SS, one that can substitute with Pollard if need be. This player will play special teams primarily, so his team attitude is important.
Based on the Texans more immediate needs, SS should not be taken high in the draft. This player is to be a backup with down the road (3 years or so) potential. Therefore, I am crossing out all players that would be taken before the 5th round.
*Disclaimer* This thread becomes useless should the Texans draft a FS that could also play SS in a pinch.
Ex- Florida State's Myron Rolle, 6'2" 215 lbs
Everyone, take a deep breath. Yes, I know Rolle is very intelligent, and a very high character guy. However, he is not a great player. He has plenty of flaws in his game. Mainly, he is not a coverage guy in the least. He has marginal speed (4.68 forty- and plays like it), and can be tight in the hips when changing direction. He makes up for it by being so intelligent, but it will be tougher in the pros. His year off will hurt him as well.
Toledo's Barry Church, 6'2" 222 lbs
Church has been a my radar since his freshman season, where he had 71 tackles and 4 picks. Since then, he has been asked to play closer to the line, and you can see it in his interception totals, dwindling to 3 as a sophomore, and 1 each of the last two seasons. He covers well for a safety his size, but his straight line speed leaves something to be desired. He would be a bad man coverage guy, but in a zone he should be ok. His instincts are incredible, one of his best qualities. He adds special team value, blocking 3 kicks last year. He is one of the best safeties in this draft at run support. He is like a linebacker in that regard.
Notre Dame's Kyle McCarthy, 6' 205 lbs
McCarthy had an unbelievable season last year. He was especially clutch during crunch time, making multiple picks and causing incomplete passes. He is solid in everything, but spectacular in nothing. He is a very instinctual player with limited athleticism. In addition, he is a great team player, willing to do whatever it takes for the team.
Based on the Texans more immediate needs, SS should not be taken high in the draft. This player is to be a backup with down the road (3 years or so) potential. Therefore, I am crossing out all players that would be taken before the 5th round.
*Disclaimer* This thread becomes useless should the Texans draft a FS that could also play SS in a pinch.
Ex- Florida State's Myron Rolle, 6'2" 215 lbs
Everyone, take a deep breath. Yes, I know Rolle is very intelligent, and a very high character guy. However, he is not a great player. He has plenty of flaws in his game. Mainly, he is not a coverage guy in the least. He has marginal speed (4.68 forty- and plays like it), and can be tight in the hips when changing direction. He makes up for it by being so intelligent, but it will be tougher in the pros. His year off will hurt him as well.
Toledo's Barry Church, 6'2" 222 lbs
Church has been a my radar since his freshman season, where he had 71 tackles and 4 picks. Since then, he has been asked to play closer to the line, and you can see it in his interception totals, dwindling to 3 as a sophomore, and 1 each of the last two seasons. He covers well for a safety his size, but his straight line speed leaves something to be desired. He would be a bad man coverage guy, but in a zone he should be ok. His instincts are incredible, one of his best qualities. He adds special team value, blocking 3 kicks last year. He is one of the best safeties in this draft at run support. He is like a linebacker in that regard.
Notre Dame's Kyle McCarthy, 6' 205 lbs
McCarthy had an unbelievable season last year. He was especially clutch during crunch time, making multiple picks and causing incomplete passes. He is solid in everything, but spectacular in nothing. He is a very instinctual player with limited athleticism. In addition, he is a great team player, willing to do whatever it takes for the team.
