Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍

The Actual and Real 2017 Texans Talk Mock Draft Extravaganza

mussop said:
In the fourth round 138 pick Cincinnati Bengals select James Conner RB Pittsburgh

The Texans should of taken him. When we squander leads because we have no big physical back maybe then people realize how weak I runningru back group is.
Click to expand...
You're right, he's a good pick. No frills back who can block and catch. He's strictly a north/south runner, but that's what the Texans (and the Bengals) need.

I've got a guy that I think you'll like that I'll bring up when the Texans pick. Runs with an attitude and isn't afraid of tacklers. Not as polished of an all around game as Conner. But more upside.
 
Colts select Blair Brown ILB Ohio

DD92885E-7D51-4EA8-9302-B4D26D837382-4059-0000041A02A08D48.jpeg


PFF

Name: Blair Brown

School: Ohio

Position fit: ILB

Stats to know: Ranked first in FBS in tackling efficiency with just three misses and 96 solo tackles.

What he does best:

Ranked third in FBS in run-stop percentage; had 47 stops.
In 2016, only Reuben Foster had higher overall and run-defense grades than Brown’s 92.4 and 91.5.
131 total tackles tied for the second-most among FBS ILBs.
Very quick to diagnose and attack plays; allows him to beat blocks to the point of attack without having to fully engage and stack.
Is particularly adept at getting underneath pulls, defeating them to inside leverage.
Has the speed to get to the sideline from the opposite hash while at the same time staying square to his target.
His outstanding tackling efficiency is aided by how quickly he finds the ball and the fact he keeps his feet when going for the finish.
Biggest concern:

At 5-foot-11 ½ and 238 pounds, he has less than ideal size.
If blockers get on top of him and initiate contact he can get swallowed up.
Can potentially offer something on blitzes because of his ability to work off the linemen in front to find lanes but lacks the burst and power combination to be a consistent threat.
Lacks recovery once beaten on an angle; will likely also be an issue in man coverage situations against faster backs.
Needs to improve hand usage in order to consistently defeat bigger blockers.
Generally appears slower in coverage – doesn’t pick up targets quickly and lacks the ability to close in time to break up passes.
Player comparison: Danny Trevathan, Chicago Bears

This comp works for both size and playing style. Trevathan is undersized for an inside linebacker, but has developed into an excellent run stopper. His production and play against the pass is not at the same level as his run play.

Bottom line: Brown is an outstanding run defender despite his size because he has an innate ability to snip plays out and beat blockers to the point of attack before they can lock onto him. He rarely loses gap integrity, and is possibly the best tackler in this linebacker class. His play against the pass, is disappointing, however, as he struggles to quickly read the QB and identify targets, and lacks the athleticism needed to consistently close in time. Brown will likely be taken much later than he should be because of his size, but his play against the run will at the very least make him a viable two-down player this fall.
Advanced Stats Stat Rank
Run Stop % 15.5 3
Pass Rush Productivity 15.6 39
Tackling Efficiency 44.7 1
Yards/Cover Snap 0.42 15
Cover Snaps/Target 12.1 40


c9256fcf44db40ab4d5d4acd856bc1ca.jpg



NFL.com


NFL Draft
GRADE
5.5

HT: 5'11" WT: 238LBS.
POSITION: LB
SCHOOL: Ohio
ARM LENGTH: 31 1/4"
HANDS: 9 3/8"

Overview
Bobcats head coach Frank Solich and his staff went into California and grabbed an all-league pick in Brown before the 2012 season, and it proved to be a great move by the time his career was complete. He joined defensive end Terrell Basham as a first-team All-MAC pick in 2016, leading the team with 128 stops, 15 of which went for losses, and 4.5 sacks. Brown redshirted his first year at OU, and then played in seven games as a reserve in 2013 (17 tackles, TFL). He earned a starting nod for eight games in 2014 (55 tackles, four TFL, sack) and 11 in 2015 (65 tackles, 4.5 TFL) before having his breakout campaign.

COMBINE STATS
40 YARD DASH: 4.65 SEC
VERTICAL JUMP: 37.0 INCH
BROAD JUMP: 124.0 INCH
3 CONE DRILL: 6.92 SEC
20 YARD SHUTTLE: 4.18 SEC

ANALYSIS

Strengths
Downhill linebacker always looking to make plays in the opponent's living room. Very instinctive. Key reader who trusts his eyes and is quick to pull the trigger and rocket into gaps if he sees an opening. Generally plays ahead of blocks. Possesses an urgent, physical mindset. Extremely efficient tackle finisher who very rarely lets one get away. Quick to find football on play action and at the mesh point of zone reads. Plays with little hesitation. Sniffs out screens almost immediately. Scrapes with square pads and a controlled, balanced slide. Has good play strength and attacks iso-blocks with leverage. Good short-area burst to close out running backs. Can drop into space and shows the ability to drag running backs on swing routes.

Weaknesses

Has short arms and lacks desired length at the position. Needs to improve his hand usage rather than always taking on blocks with his shoulder. Can get stuck to blocks once a long-armed tackle gets into him. May not have the pure speed to recover to the perimeter if he takes a bad angle against the run. Lacks slightly in change of direction fluidity. May have issues handling man coverage on the next level. Can be too relaxed when dropping into space. Has had no passes defensed over the last two seasons.

NFL Comparison
Gary Brackett

Bottom Line

Brown isn't going to check off the "physical traits" boxes for teams who always prioritize height-length-speed at linebacker, but he gets a big check mark in the "find ball, get ball" box. He's instinctive and has the play strength and leverage to fight through blocks and make his way into tackling position. Despite just one season of high-end tackle production, he has the anticipation, athleticism and toughness to make a roster and eventually challenge for playing time.

-Lance Zierlein

http://texanswire.usatoday.com/2017/03/06/combine-watch-blair-brown-great-sleeper-fit-at-lb/

Three-year starter who earned First Team All-MAC honors as a senior, racking up a conference-leading 128 tackles (15 for loss) and 4.5 sacks. Finished third on the team in tackles in both his sophomore and junior seasons.

PROS

Short but intense linebacker with the ability to play all three downs. Fierce on the blitz, forceful up the field and sells out to make plays. Breaks down well, gives effort defending the run and fires to the action. Shows excellent range, quickness and speed in every direction. Gets depth on pass drops, remains disciplined with assignments and shows ability in zone coverage. Crashes up the field and plays through the whistle.

Neg:

Does not always play under control and overpursues the action. Lacks height and gets overmatched by tall pass catchers.

Analysis:

Brown is a tough, competitive linebacker with height limitations that will negatively affect him in coverage. Beyond that, he’s a legitimate NFL prospect with potential in a variety of schemes and the ability to play on special teams.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
steelbtexan said:
I hope y'all aren't expecting that kind of in depth analysis with my picks. If y'all are then there's going to be much disappointment.
Click to expand...


Come on now, I'm just copying and pasting, multiple scouting reports so that people that don't much about a guy can get a few perspectives.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
steelbtexan said:
I hope y'all aren't expecting that kind of in depth analysis with my picks. If y'all are then there's going to be much disappointment.
Click to expand...
Sorry, but the bar has been set.

jradMIT said:
Come on now, I'm just copying and pasting, multiple scouting reports so that people that don't much about a guy can get a few perspectives.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
It wasn't complete. I didn't see what Brown had for breakfast this morning.
 
jradMIT said:
Come on now, I'm just copying and pasting, multiple scouting reports so that people that don't much about a guy can get a few perspectives.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Just giving you a hard time. All in fun, this is part of why I enjoy the TT mock every yr.
 
steelbtexan said:
Just giving you a hard time. All in fun, this is part of why I enjoy the TT mock every yr.
Click to expand...

Yeah, for 9 years while working for the same manufacturing company we had the same group of guys (and later one of the guys wife) conducting our fantasy drafts in bars in Duluth, MN. And the drunk heckling was so damned annoying. It was always the same guy. And he was also the guy who forgot his draft board. And the funny thing is, he always took the Vikings kicker early, after he was already half sauced.

This is a lot better for me.
 
banned1976 said:
Yeah, for 9 years while working for the same manufacturing company we had the same group of guys (and later one of the guys wife) conducting our fantasy drafts in bars in Duluth, MN. And the drunk heckling was so damned annoying. It was always the same guy. And he was also the guy who forgot his draft board. And the funny thing is, he always took the Vikings kicker early, after he was already half sauced.

This is a lot better for me.
Click to expand...

We do a FF Mock every yr,

I think I'm that guy, except I win the thing every 3 or 4 yrs.
 
Lucky said:
You know I looked at Lee really hard for the Niners as a Will, and I just couldn't get in on him. He's blocked easily on running plays, and when he is free to the ball carrier he doesn't bring any thump. Lee can chase and cover, so maybe he can take that weight off and become an in the box safety. But, I like my SS to bring some thump, too. Right now, I see Lee as a nickel LB/special teamer.
Click to expand...

I get that. He's a converted Safety and is never going to be a guy that does damage inside. I think K St kept him light intentionally because of all the running they had him doing in their defense.

I think he could add a bit more weight actually and still maintain his athleticism. That might give him enough size to be average in the short game. Match him with thumpers like McKinney and Cushing and I think he's reasonably protected. And his ability in coverage more than makes up for what he can't give you in the middle.

He's got a lot of Jatavis Brown to his game. Just not nearly the pass rusher.
 
With Compensatory 4th rd. pick, Philadelphia Eagles double dip @ DB w/Jalen Myrick, Minnesota. He is thick for a CB 5-10 200 lbs. but well proportioned and explosive. Ran a 4.29 forty @ Combine 2nd fastest to John Ross. I'm hearing a lot of interest around NFL of him going in the 3rd round so this is obviously good value @ position of need. He is best left outside, probably deep drops to utilize speed & close angles or track down in pursuit.

jalen-myrick-of-the-minnesota-golden-gophers-intecepts-a-pass-by-nick-picture-id487954858
 
I would go with another SEC LB, Ryan Anderson, Alabama. Major plus is that he's available for duty.
 
Anderson has more of a pass rushing ability which gives him the advantage in my book.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I think it sucks that we have to group pick the Giants. I would nominate a player here, but I want to nominate him for the Texans.
 
807B7997-9BFF-4083-B389-3FE2738D5B1B-4059-000004446E87A3D6.jpeg


Ryan Anderson OLB Alabama

NFL Draft
GRADE
5.83
Photo of Ryan Anderson
Ryan Anderson (OLB)
HT: 6'2" WT: 253LBS.
POSITION: OLB
SCHOOL: Alabama
ARM LENGTH: 31 1/2"
HANDS: 9 3/8"
Overview
Getting on the field at linebacker for Alabama isn't easy for a young player. Anderson was a five-star recruit, but redshirted in 2012 and played just a bit in 2013 (five tackles, 1.5 sacks); he considered leaving the program. He received more time on defense in 2014 (25 tackles, 8 TFL, three sacks with no starts) and was a key reserve pass-rusher as a junior (11.5 TFL, six sacks) before finally getting the starting gig in 2016. Anderson didn't receive all-conference notice from league coaches, but the media voted him first-team all-conference (61 tackles, 19 TFL, nine sacks, three pass breakups, one interception for a touchdown).

COMBINE STATS

40 YARD DASH: 4.78 SEC

ANALYSIS

Strengths

Thick through shoulders and chest with good upper-body power. Exhibits professional approach on the field. Disciplined and married to his assignments. Stays clean. Comes into the league with NFL-caliber hand work. Ready hands at point of attack with a willingness to stick and move to avoid being swallowed by size. Sets a sturdy edge and makes a point to physically challenge tight ends early in the game. Will "dead arm" inside shoulder to alter blocker's balance and sneak around the outside hand. Relentless charge as a pass rusher and gets home thanks to his effort. Leverages runners to the sideline and rarely gives up a cut-back lane. Tackle finisher who is always hustling. Plays teammate ball over hero ball. Has experience at outside linebacker in both 3-4 and 4-3. Forced five fumbles over last two seasons.

Weaknesses

Relatively average athlete for the position. Lacks desired pursuit speed and closing burst as a 4-3 linebacker. Hips are a little stiff and he lacks plus range of motion. Could struggle with cover skills in space. Short arms could become an issue if asked to stack the edge against NFL tackles. Effort rusher missing desired traits found in consistent NFL pass rushers. His edge rush is more elongated and gradual than tight and sharp. Gets punched by tackles while shoulders are still square, causing him to flatten out as a rusher.

Sources Tell Us

"Size is more suited for 4-3 SAM but he could play some rush outside backer in a 3-4. He would fit Baltimore and Pittsburgh as a 3-4 SAM, too." -- NFC area scout
NFL Comparison

Ahmad Brooks

Bottom Line
Well-schooled with a high football IQ and a history as a winner. His disciplined, assignment-based approach to the game should resonate with defensive coordinators. Lack of length and average athletic traits could put a cap on his draft stock, but he should be a safe pick and a long-time starter as an outside linebacker.

-Lance Zierlein


Name: Ryan Anderson

School: Alabama

Position fit: 3-4 outside linebacker

Stats to know: Picked up 129 pressures (22 sacks, 27 QB hits, 80 hurries) over the last three years on 703 rushes. Creating pressure on 18.3 percent of his rushes was well above the NCAA average of 10.0 percent for an edge defender.

What he does best:

Subtle hands. Never too demonstrative with them, but keeps his body clean the same.
Ultra-productive in SEC. Rarely “lost” blocks even if he didn’t win at highest rate.
Strong on the edge against the run. Rarely lost his gap.
Plays low, even for size. Routinely wins leverage battle.
Makes up for lack of length with technique. Long arms offensive tackles.
Pin and swat is his go to move. Uses it very well as a pass-rusher and wins edge with it.
Shows the ability to play low and win with the bull rush.
Biggest concern:

Not overly athletic and could almost stand to slim down to test upfield shoulder of tackles more.
May lack a true position in the NFL. Lack of length will get amplified at next level and could get swallowed up.
Looked completely out of place in coverage at Senior Bowl. A switch to off ball linebacker wouldn’t be smooth transition.
Change of direction isn’t anything special and doesn’t have great bend around edge
Was iffy finishing plays in space.
Player comparison: Akeem Ayers, Tennessee Titans

If Anderson could transition to off-ball linebacker he could be a dominant blitz threat much like Ayers. As a pure 3-4 outside linebacker he may not be nearly as productive as a pass rusher unless it’s in a more limited 10-15 rush per game role.

Bottom line: Anderson is a ‘tweener and may be tapped out already with his potential. He’s been a supremely productive college player, but he’s also played in a favorable scheme at Alabama with incredible surrounding talent. He’s worth a look to see if that production can translate at the next level though he may be limited from being a 3 down player

efa34928d7572f3ddd4dafb0f39c279e.jpg


He has very high character on the football field as well as leadership ability. He has a team-first mentality and works his tail off to be the best player he can. There was a single incident off the field where he and a girlfriend were both arrested. Neither laid a hand on each other, but some damage was done to each other's cars. With that being said, domestic violence is a serious issue plaguing the NFL right now, and coaches will want to dig into that further before selecting him. He had his ups and downs at the Senior Bowl, but the truth is, most players do. He was playing a new position and struggles were expected. If he can put together a solid positional workout at the combine, he could boost his stock into day two. As of right now, I put him a fourth-round grade on him.

Compares to (Current NFL Player): Devon Kennard (New York Giants)

Strengths
- Instinctual and disciplined player
- Plays with good leverage
- Resourceful with high motor
- Loves contact
- Added value on special teams

Weaknesses
- Limited athletically
- Little experience at his natural position
- Arms are on the short side






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
My vote is for Jeremy Sprinkle. He's a big, strong TE that is a plus pass blocker. He's also a very good red zone target. In summary, he can play all 3 downs and is a red zone dual threat (blocking and receiving), an area the Texans offense bogs down way too often.
 
I will nominate Brian Hill, RB out of Wyoming.

Hill run runs with anger, not fearing tacklers. Looks to run downhill first and foremost, but has a burst to take it outside. Has some patience in setting up blocks on the outside. Does not dance going to the line of scrimmage. Not going to get a lot of negative yardage. Has experience running from the shotgun and single back sets

Hill has not been utilized much in the passing game. Though a willing blocker, he will duck his head when engaging a blitzer, and whiff occasionally. Runs tall and is an easier target running inside. Does not like to go down, and could be prone to stripping in a gang tackling situation. A lean 220 lbs., Hill may wear down against NFL size with his aggressive running style.

I think Hill would be an excellent compliment to Lamar Miller in the Texan running game. Just the type of runner tired NFL defenses do not want to see in the 4th quarter. With some coaching up in the passing game, Hill has the upside to become a feature RB.
 
Lucky said:
You're right, he's a good pick. No frills back who can block and catch. He's strictly a north/south runner, but that's what the Texans (and the Bengals) need.

I've got a guy that I think you'll like that I'll bring up when the Texans pick. Runs with an attitude and isn't afraid of tacklers. Not as polished of an all around game as Conner. But more upside.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure I know who you're talking about.
 
OVERVIEW

Lee was a high school star in the Kansas City area (Missouri Class 6A Defensive Player of the Year as a senior) but crossed the border to play in Manhattan for venerable head coach Bill Snyder. He got on the field right away, playing in all 13 games as a reserve (19 tackles) and setting a school record for freshmen with 4.5 sacks. Lee was a second-team All-Big 12 selection as a sophomore starter, leading the Wildcats with 80 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and accumulating five sacks and three interceptions on the season. He continued to be a team leader in his final year with the program, topping the charts with 110 tackles (6.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks), intercepting two passes in a first-team All-Big 12 junior season.

ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Possesses angular build with long arms. Won't just give in to size. Works hard to constrict running lanes and will fire downhill into the gaps when they present themselves. Showed off impressive long speed and closing burst when chasing down ball carriers against Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl. Squares up in the hole and meets running backs heads up. Productive and disruptive behind the line of scrimmage. Rangy. Shows ability to navigate both high and low in weaving through the bodies in his pursuit to the ball. Adequate awareness in space in man coverage. Has athleticism and ball skills to stay on the field for all three downs.
WEAKNESSES
Missing the sand in his pants to power up and take on blocks effectively. Lacks instincts and feel for cutback lanes and counters. Can be goaded into false steps. Below average hand usage. Will need to learn to punch and separate or he could be overwhelmed by linemen. Plays too tall when sifting through the flow of traffic and will miss too many tackles. Needs to do better job of finding the ball in coverage. Too many ankle tackles rather than running through the target with a clean finish.
BOTTOM LINE
Lee's playing style is more subtle than it is urgent and his upright playing style limits his tackling efficiency and suddenness in his change of direction. Lee has the speed to range all over the field and has the ball skills to warrant consideration on passing downs. If a linebacker coach can get him to play with better bend and get the play speed to match the timed speed, Lee could become an eventual starter in the league.-Lance Zierlein


Player Overview
Elijah Lee was one of the best defenders in the BIG-12 this past season. He’s an athletic rangy linebacker with sideline to sideline ability. Lee was used as both an inside and outside linebacker while as Kansas State and the answer as to whether he should be used inside or outside will likely differ on the team evaluating him. Lee can make plays from either position. I hesitate to project him as an edge rushing LB in the NFL because his strengths don’t really lie in beating offensive tackles off the edge with his speed or pass rush moves. Lee does excel as a run defender plugging gaps and using his athleticism to shoot through them and make a play. Lee didn’t get a combine invite but he has said his offseason focus is to put on weight and show his athletic ability.

Strengths
  • Quickness, length, and athletic ability show when he can exploit offensive gaps.
  • Good in pursuit and has the speed and acceleration to play sideline to sideline.
  • Physical and will put a lick on an opponent given the opportunity.
  • Has the athleticism to drop back into coverage and enough ability to deter throws in his direction.
Weaknesses
  • Needs to add weight and strength. He is too easily moved from his spot if he doesn't win with initial quickness.
  • Needs pop in his hands when fighting blocks. He often times becomes too stagnant and complacent. Relies too much on his length and arm tackles instead of squaring up.
  • Vision is there but the trust isn’t. You can see when he second guesses his movements instead of going for it.
  • Not helped by his height but the ever present pad level issue rears its ugly head when trying to fight through the middle.


Bio:
Two-year starter who earned First Team All-Big 12 honors after racking up a team-high 110 tackles (6.5 for loss) with two interceptions and 1.5 sacks. Named Second Team All-Big 12 as a sophomore, leading the Wildcats with 80 tackles (7.5 for loss) and adding five sacks and three interceptions. Played every game as a freshman and recorded 4.5 sacks to earn Honorable Mention Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Pos:
Athletic and underrated pursuit linebacker with three-down potential. Fast moving in every direction, displays excellent range and quickly gets out to the sidelines to make plays in space. Instinctive, displays a good head for the ball and possesses a closing burst. Immediately changes direction, displays good recognition in coverage and gets depth on pass drops. Forceful up the field on the blitz and wraps up tackling.
Neg:
Lacks strength at the point and is easily taken from the play by blocks. Does a lot of face-guarding and struggles locating the ball in coverage. Not a stout tackler.
Analysis:
Lee is a quick, fast pursuit linebacker who makes plays sideline-to-sideline and shows ability in coverage when facing the action. He’s a prototypical weak side linebacker who could eventually break into a starting lineup on Sundays once he gets bigger and improves his ball skills.
 
Mollywhopper said:
Think Bowser, Johnson, and Lee would be excellent additions for Vrabel/RAC to mix thing up rush/coverage-wise.

Think they'd be giddy.
Click to expand...

The back end is looking positive after all that, but who is playing on the line without Wilfork and Watt? JDC fulltime DE? Sophmore Reader? JAG Covington?
 
Lucky said:
I will nominate Brian Hill, RB out of Wyoming.

Hill run runs with anger, not fearing tacklers. Looks to run downhill first and foremost, but has a burst to take it outside. Has some patience in setting up blocks on the outside. Does not dance going to the line of scrimmage. Not going to get a lot of negative yardage. Has experience running from the shotgun and single back sets

Hill has not been utilized much in the passing game. Though a willing blocker, he will duck his head when engaging a blitzer, and whiff occasionally. Runs tall and is an easier target running inside. Does not like to go down, and could be prone to stripping in a gang tackling situation. A lean 220 lbs., Hill may wear down against NFL size with his aggressive running style.

I think Hill would be an excellent compliment to Lamar Miller in the Texan running game. Just the type of runner tired NFL defenses do not want to see in the 4th quarter. With some coaching up in the passing game, Hill has the upside to become a feature RB.
Click to expand...
I actually thought you were going to say
Jamaal Williams, Hill would of been my second guess.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top