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- Thread starter mussop
- Start date
Yep, I've got him going in the 4th. But I would trade up into the 4th to get him. I also like Mitchell Evans/Luke Lachey/Terrance Ferguson in this range. All would be upgrades in different ways. Lachey is also a very good blocker. Although not quite on the level of Hawes. You cant go wrong with an Iowa TE.
This is a really good TE group. Hawes exemplifies what Demeco wants in his players. I think he would really help in the running game and is an underrated receiver. Just didn’t get many opportunities at VT.
Schultz needs to be gone. His effort in run blocking is non existent. I’d rather eat dead money than keep him around.
I keep hearing that from draftniks and the NFL Network. I just don't see it. There are the 1st rounders that may not be 1st rounders in better drafts. I like Mason Taylor, but he'll go in the 2nd round. And then there are mostly JAGs. It will be hard for the Texans to find a starter at TE for this draft.
Warren, Loveland Arroyo, Taylor and after the Combine maybe Ferguson all will probably go in the 1st three rds.
Then you've got good developmental guys like Evans/Fidone/Fannin/Gadsden/Hawes etc... so this is a deep TE class if you look at it this way.
I would pick Taylor at 2-58 because he can block and is very good at running routes and has great hands. He was LSU's go to guy this yr. But really give me a trade with Mayer. He would be my TE 3 this yr in the draft.
Warren
Taylor
Mayer
Loveland because of injury issues
Arroyo
Then you've got good developmental guys like Evans/Fidone/Fannin/Gadsden/Hawes etc... so this is a deep TE class if you look at it this way.
I would pick Taylor at 2-58 because he can block and is very good at running routes and has great hands. He was LSU's go to guy this yr. But really give me a trade with Mayer. He would be my TE 3 this yr in the draft.
Warren
Taylor
Mayer
Loveland because of injury issues
Arroyo
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
Do you disagree with the above posters?
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
Like Quitoriano?
Without the previous injury issues.
KoolAid Sipper
AFCEVET
I dunno, Fidone basically missed 2 years with knee issues.
Specifically what? My response was that it would be difficult for the Texans to find a starting TE from this class considering the players selected above them and the value that's left. How many rookie starters do I see from this class? 3, if you think Taylor is a game 1 starter. If the Texans were to wait on taking a TE past round 2, the number would be zero.
TheRealJoker V2
Veteran
I’d target a TE like Mayer in a trade, cut Schultz and focus draft capital on other positions. Like the DT, OL, WR positions. Can also find a RB late this year who could be a gem. Also keep uncovering DB gems. Wherever the board falls and FA will have a say but those positions would be my focus.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
Could be wrong, but was’nt Gronk hurt coming out of Arizona (back surgery) playingbonly two seasons. Fidone is only one inch shorter 6-5 but hands are damn near 11“ width with 34“ long arms, and hes a hands catcher (meaning he plucks the ball not a body catcher). Cronks arm length was also 34“ and hands match, well as forty time,4.68 vs 4.70.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
Nothing like Quit. Watched him flash @ OSU had no issue drafting him 7th. Fluid, good hands, but slow mover. Wish it had worked out for him.
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
Thanks for the reply.
If they wait until the 4-5th rd I would take a shot on Fidone. Taylor is my guy in the 2nd if they don't trade for Mayer
On a side note, what do you think of CJ West DT Indiana? Big agile dude with a wrestling background. 3rd, 4th rd guy.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
It’s tough. Stick to your board. Only 6 picks, Ravens have 11. Nick will be trading down, possibly twice or more. Not in favor of giving up picks for underforming veteran player. Get younger, cheaper, he’s already screwed the pooch, on CJ rookie deal, gotta play long game via draft.
Fidone is 3rd/early 4th target. Sounds like you don’t agree, which is fine, but i was wrong on Stover, he dissapointed the hell out of me, I’m ready to reload from Schultz & Jordan, give Cade year to prove. If Texans take Fannin in 3rd, he is upgrade over Jordan but same profile (hybrid/slot).
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Agreed with most of this. Mayer didn't underperform. He was replaced by Bowers who had the best receiving rookie year in NFL history. He would still be the best TE on the Texans roster by a good margin and he still has two cheap years on his rookie year.
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beerlover
Hall of Fame
Apologize, didn't mean not to answer your request about CJ West. Of course dependant on free agancy, day one & day 2? Like his motor, explosivness and pass rush moves.
Comfortable with whoever DeMeco targets on defense. I’m really hoping blue chip DT slides to #25. Edge later. So CJ is not really on my list, but if it falls that way, it would mean he checks DeMeco box.
Not as high on Mason (2’nd rd.). Prefer by a mile, Fidone II in 3rd. Mason has higher floor but Fidone II the higher ceiling. Realize all Texan fans feel cheated of stealer production from TE room. Thought was Stover, CJ teammate would infuse instant chemistry. Unfortunately, as many before him he’s been often injured.
So understand over projecting for safer, and instant production. You know, Texans could always duplicate what the Green Bay Packers did in 2023, drafting Musgrave in 2nd (7 picks after Mayer) then doubling back for Tucker Kraft in 3rd (8 picks after Tank Dell). Musgrave has been extremely injury prone his second season but Kraft recover from a poor rookie season into their stud TE #1. So that’s an example of option to solve our TE room.
Why is that? Taylor is younger but has more snaps than Fidone. Doesn't have Fidone's injury history. I would say Taylor has both a higher ceiling and floor than Fidone.
Rich Schmidt
Myopicone
I don't see Taylor as a good blocker on the LOS. We have guys who suck blocking and can run routes (Brevin Jordan). He may develop, but don't see it. I would use lower draft capital and get Hawes and try to develop his passing game. He can thump on the OL day 1, and be an outlet.
I see Taylor as a Trey McBride type blocker right now, avg to slightly above avg blocker with room to get better. He's a big dude that is a hard worker and comes from a football family. I'm pretty sure he will improve on his avg blocking skills (He already would be the best blocking TE on the Texans) with NFL S&C and better coaching IMHO.
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Yeah, I like what I've seen of Fidone, but give me a healthy Taylor over Fidone.
I want to get healthy long term starters out of this draft. It's the reason I like Jackson/Booker/Zabel, I see them as long time starters.
If you told me they could walk out of this draft with these guys I would be very happy, long term starters.
Jackson
Taylor
Higgins or Savion Williams
CJ West
I don't think anyone could argue against that haul. Or similar players. Maybe Nick could move around and pick up an extra pick to grab a RB in the 3rd or 4th.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
Physicality and catch radius.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
Love Zabel over Booker or Jackson he’s just so damn versatile and fundamentally sound.
Want TreVeon Henderson badly in 2nd. Higgins could go before Texans 2nd, his comp is Nico Collins, he ran 4.47 forty with explosive 10 yard split of 1.53 @ 6-4 214lbs 39” vertical.
Fine with going TE in 3rd, either one. That’s all the Texans day one & day two draft picks on offense.
This is a good enough RB class that I would trade a 2026 3rd for a 2025 4th for one of the RB's. The guys I really like are Hunter, Brashard Smith, Neal etc.... Or one of DT's. I'm loving me some CJ West. if you could get Jarquez Hunter in the 4th rd that would be a massive win. Being able to add 5 contributors out of this draft would be an awesome feat and staying true to the strength of the draft. DT/RB/TE and you get one of the best OL in the draft too.
If you cant get Savion/Higgins etc... in the 3rd, then give me Horton or TesLaa in the 4-5th rd range.
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Agreed about Zabel and after talking with you about Linderbaum, I'm not saying he's Linderbaum, but Barton would be a good comp. I really like Jackson though because he played at a higher level and is more of a sure thing. Jackson and Zabel are both 10 year starters.
I was really disappointed in Bookers combine. I knew he really didn't fit a ZBS all that well, but I value his people moving skills and he's a smart guy, something that was in short supply on last yrs OL. Football means something to him, the lack of success of Alabama OL (lee big pointed this out and I was high on Evan Neal for the same reasons I like Booker) scares me away from Booker.
Green still has guaranteed money left on his rookie deal, so he'll probably make it to camp. Based upon what we saw last year, I don't see Kenyon making the team.
calishung7717
Waterboy
Me watching if the Texans get both Zabel and Henderson along with a decent wr/te prospect in this draft.
