The 5-3 Mock

[Doppelganger]

Coming of a win, the Texans move to 5-3. Time for another mock!

1. Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington
Ta’amu has looked ok, not great this season. He has not been the dominant run stuffer that people expected. Given that he is 335 pounds, people expected to see a traditional 0 gap dominant NT. Ta'amu has not been that player. Thus, his stock is dropping. So, why do you ask do I want him? Simple: he fits the Phillips 1 gap 3-4 NT to a T. His strength is in penetrating the LOS and being able to play reasonably well in the run game. He is NOT, I repeat NOT going to take on 2 OL, like the traditional 3-4 NT, but 1 gap play is done well. A lot of scouts have talked about playing him as a 3-4 DE because of his gap ability, but there are better 3-4 DEs options available. I think Phillips makes this pick and selects his NT.

2. Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
There are a ton of good CBs available in this draft, so he might not come out to the draft this year. Plus, Trufant, does have a little work to do on his game, so I think he could easily slide into the mid 2nd. His positives are that he has good speed, good tackling skills, and good cover skills. He needs to work on getting interceptions rather than simply knocking the ball away, but he can develop those skills. Thus far, he has been doing a pretty solid imitation of his brother Marcus. I see him as a very good #2 CB next to Joseph.

3. Dwight Jones, WR, North Carolina
A big 6’4” target with good enough speed to get separation. He has good hands and can be a playmaker. The problem is his QB play in North Carolina has been poor so they Tarheels have been unable to make him look good.

4. Logan Harrell, DE, Fresno State
In the Phillips 3-4, quality 3-4 Des are needed for rotation and depth. Harrell would provide great depth. He has been pretty disruptive thus far with tons of QB pressure and good run defending. His problem is he is elite at any one area, but solid in all. To me, that screams quality depth.

5. Lonnie Edwards, OG, Texas Tech
Edwards is the kind of OG that needs a little work. He is already a physical run blocker and a solid to above average pass blocker. He has good fundamentals and good feet for a guy his size. In the Texas Tech Offense he has been a road grader and stationary anchor. Give him some time and an opportunity to work on Zone play and this big 322lber will be our answer at RG.

6. Joe Suhey, FB, Penn State
Good bloodlines as his father was the FB that blocked for a guy named Walter, a running back in Chicago. In addition to being a solid blocker, he can also run the ball in short yardage, and sneak out of the backfield to catch passes. A bit like Casey.

7. Derrick Mason-WR

 

[beerlover]

what happened to your 4-3 mock, complete remake after one game? also noticed your addition of Joe Suhey. I just wonder knowing his family background if he was named after Joe Paterno

 

[Doppelganger]

what happened to your 4-3 mock, complete remake after one game? also noticed your addition of Joe Suhey. I just wonder knowing his family background if he was named after Joe Paterno

The 4-3 mock is here: http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86365

These weekly mocks are pure reaction mocks based on what I have seen the past week and the previous ones. I usually approach my mocking based on what are the Texans needs and who are the BPA.I think the needs include: a starting Penetrating NT with better run stopping than Mitchell/Cody, starting OG, and/or C, more depth at DE, another WR, and more DB help.

Last week I wanted to go with Ta'amu or De Castro but I felt both would be gone the mid 20's. This week however, I did some more research on Ta'amu and saw he is dropping. He is not the big clogging NT that many 3-4 teams like. When you see him, he is 335 lbs, so many people assume he is a clogger. He has not been successful as a clogger and many people think he will fall like Alan Branch did a few years ago. I think his value as a NT drops to a team like Htown that like penetrating 1 gapers. I felt that Ta'amu was a better value than Sanu in the first.

In the second round, I wanted to go WR or OG, but I saw Trufant Jr sitting there. When the draft day comes along, he may be higher rated or may not even declare, but if he does and he is available, I would take him. He has a lot of good tools and if he could develop his hands a bit better, we could potentially have 2nd cover corner opposite Jospeh. I didn't want to get another CB, but Trufant was too good to pass up. I believe in BPA, so he seemed like the best one in my mind.

In the third round, I wanted to look at a player like Konz, but sadly he is just playing really well and his grade is now into the mid 2nd round. I think Dwight Jones brings a good mix of speed, size, and hands to the table. He drops becuase his QB cannot get the ball to him.

In the 4th, I felt BPA was the right pick and chose an interesting DE prospect. He has a high motor and LOVES football. He has been disruptive thus far and I think he would make great depth. He is not a natural 3-4 DE and I don't think he would make a good 4-3 DT, so due to lack of scheme versatility he drops from the 3rd to the 4th.

In the fifth i grab a really good OG prospect. He is strong enough to take on the big OL, does not get pushed around, and can pass block. He needs to work on his Zone footwork, but I see him as a great OG prospect.

After you commented on Suhey I did some more research on him and I like the possibilities. I am thinking of having a double FB package where both Casey and Suhey are in the game. Imagine the play where Casey opens up a hole for Suhey on 4th and 1. Imagine having one available to pass block and the other slipping into the zone for a easy 5 yard gain. Imagine having both of them create holes and the D not knowing which hole is the one Foster and Co runs through?! Lots of good options with having Suhey.

The other reason I did a complete remake (and do 1 every week) is so that I can mock a large variety of players to the Texans. Then when the Texans end up taking someone I picked, I can be like Mel Kiper and claim I had that pick correct!!!!

 

[bah007]

I'm not as high on Ta'amu as most here are but I do think that he would be an upgrade over Cody and Mitchell so I'm with you on this pick.

I'm not sure on Trufant. He has been a starter ever since he stepped on campus, but I think he needs one more year. I don't think I would use a 2nd on him right now.

Jones is probably my favorite WR prospect in this class. I agree with you that he might drop some, but I don't see him falling out of the second round.

Harrell came onto my radar last year when he put up 14 TFLs and 10.5 sacks. He has 11.5 TFLs and 5 sacks so far this year. So his production has been solid. He is a team captain (always a plus with me) but this is only his second year as a starter. Now to most people that doesn't mean anything, but when I look at guys at smaller programs I like to see more experience than that. If he has NFL talent, why did it take so long for him to get on the field? It could be nothing. He could just be a late bloomer. I need to study him some more, but I like the pick.

Edwards is a great college player with solid NFL talent. I'm not so sure he works in our system though.

I love Suhey. Him and Casey on the field at the same time would give us even more options to be multiple on offense without changing personnel, something our offense is pretty good at already.

This is a really good mock.

 

[badboy]

Coming of a win, the Texans move to 5-3. Time for another mock!

1. Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington
Ta’amu has looked ok, not great this season. He has not been the dominant run stuffer that people expected. Given that he is 335 pounds, people expected to see a traditional 0 gap dominant NT. Ta'amu has not been that player. Thus, his stock is dropping. So, why do you ask do I want him? Simple: he fits the Phillips 1 gap 3-4 NT to a T. His strength is in penetrating the LOS and being able to play reasonably well in the run game. He is NOT, I repeat NOT going to take on 2 OL, like the traditional 3-4 NT, but 1 gap play is done well. A lot of scouts have talked about playing him as a 3-4 DE because of his gap ability, but there are better 3-4 DEs options available. I think Phillips makes this pick and selects his NT.

2. Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
There are a ton of good CBs available in this draft, so he might not come out to the draft this year. Plus, Trufant, does have a little work to do on his game, so I think he could easily slide into the mid 2nd. His positives are that he has good speed, good tackling skills, and good cover skills. He needs to work on getting interceptions rather than simply knocking the ball away, but he can develop those skills. Thus far, he has been doing a pretty solid imitation of his brother Marcus. I see him as a very good #2 CB next to Joseph.

3. Dwight Jones, WR, North Carolina
A big 6’4” target with good enough speed to get separation. He has good hands and can be a playmaker. The problem is his QB play in North Carolina has been poor so they Tarheels have been unable to make him look good.

4. Logan Harrell, DE, Fresno State
In the Phillips 3-4, quality 3-4 Des are needed for rotation and depth. Harrell would provide great depth. He has been pretty disruptive thus far with tons of QB pressure and good run defending. His problem is he is elite at any one area, but solid in all. To me, that screams quality depth.

5. Lonnie Edwards, OG, Texas Tech
Edwards is the kind of OG that needs a little work. He is already a physical run blocker and a solid to above average pass blocker. He has good fundamentals and good feet for a guy his size. In the Texas Tech Offense he has been a road grader and stationary anchor. Give him some time and an opportunity to work on Zone play and this big 322lber will be our answer at RG.

6. Joe Suhey, FB, Penn State
Good bloodlines as his father was the FB that blocked for a guy named Walter, a running back in Chicago. In addition to being a solid blocker, he can also run the ball in short yardage, and sneak out of the backfield to catch passes. A bit like Casey.

7. Derrick Mason-WR

You don't have to convince me Ta'Amu should be the pick but you do have to convince me Phillips will pick him. He is doing too good with what he has and will use that pick elsewhere. Same with not taking a CB in first two rounds.

Trufant needs to remain in school and work on his footwork and come out as a senior as a high first round.

 

[Doppelganger]

I'm not as high on Ta'amu as most here are but I do think that he would be an upgrade over Cody and Mitchell so I'm with you on this pick.

I'm not sure on Trufant. He has been a starter ever since he stepped on campus, but I think he needs one more year. I don't think I would use a 2nd on him right now.

Jones is probably my favorite WR prospect in this class. I agree with you that he might drop some, but I don't see him falling out of the second round.

Harrell came onto my radar last year when he put up 14 TFLs and 10.5 sacks. He has 11.5 TFLs and 5 sacks so far this year. So his production has been solid. He is a team captain (always a plus with me) but this is only his second year as a starter. Now to most people that doesn't mean anything, but when I look at guys at smaller programs I like to see more experience than that. If he has NFL talent, why did it take so long for him to get on the field? It could be nothing. He could just be a late bloomer. I need to study him some more, but I like the pick.

Edwards is a great college player with solid NFL talent. I'm not so sure he works in our system though.

I love Suhey. Him and Casey on the field at the same time would give us even more options to be multiple on offense without changing personnel, something our offense is pretty good at already.

This is a really good mock.

Thanks!

 

[Doppelganger]

You don't have to convince me Ta'Amu should be the pick but you do have to convince me Phillips will pick him. He is doing too good with what he has and will use that pick elsewhere. Same with not taking a CB in first two rounds.

Trufant needs to remain in school and work on his footwork and come out as a senior as a high first round.

1. I would argue that Phillips is not doing "too good of a job" with Mitchell and Cody. I would counter that the Texans have been pretty fortunate to play against teams with one dimensional offenses or battered offensive lines. I would also counter by saying when they have played against a balanced offense or a strong offensive line, they have struggled.

Look at the Miami game. Miami has a very good O line. In that game the Htown Defense gave up 153 yards on the ground. Fortunately, the Miami passing Offense was led by Chad Henne who only threw for 170 yards. With an average QB in the game, the Dolphins would have likely passed for closer to 250 yards and likely could have won that game.

Look at the Saints game. In the 4th quarter, Ingram and Thomas combined for 31 rushing yards and the Texans couldn't get anywhere near Brees. 31 yards may not sound like much, but 31 yards a quarter over a game is 124. That is a big number. In crunch time, when the Texans D needed to stand up, they couldn't get a pass rush, or stop the run. A larger stronger NT could have gotten closer to Brees and closed down that running game.

Look at the Steelers game. Despite having a battered O line, the Steelers STILL managed to run for 118 yards. Behind a starting line, they would have easily gotten over 170 plus. They averaged 5.4 yards per carry and only ran the ball 20 times. If they ran it an additional 8 times, they would have had 160 yards on the ground. A stronger NT that penetrates like Ta'amu would help prevent a starting Oline like Pitt from getting 5.4 yards a run.

The biggest one though is Baltimore. When facing a strong O line, a stud RB, and a good QB, the Texans D collapsed in the 4th quarter. In the 4th quarter when the game was still on the line, Ray Rice shredded the Texans run D for 66 of his 101 yards on the ground. 65% of his running production came in that pivotal 4th quarter. A stronger NT like Ta'amu would have been able to better contain Rice and put pressure on Flaco.

The Texans D has been fortunate to face Indy, Tennesee, and Jax. Indy was/is in disarray, Jax decided not to run MJD, and Tennessee was exposed.

2. I agree that Trufant should return to school, but I am not sure he does. He may feel he is ready to go and being the brother of a superstar may push his stock up. If he comes out, i take him in the second. He may not start right away, but he is a true cover corner in the making.

 

[Wolf6151]

Where's that 6-3 mock?

 

[beerlover]

Where's that 6-3 mock?

yeah, the natives are restless