Official 2013 NFL Draft - Rounds 4-7 Thread

[Keith]

The hunt for a third string tight end continues...

[Nconroe]

I was thinking ILB and DT are main needs remaining, although RB, TE, CB, actally all positions could likely use upgrade of depth.

Here is an article with some of top picks available who are recognizable from higher rank , see if we get any of these guys? hard to believe some still not chosen.

http://nfl.si.com/2013/04/27/best-available-in-2013-nfl-drafts-third-day/

Overall, I'm good with four selections so far, realize it takes a few years usually to know for sure how guys will do.

[HPF Bob]

I'd like to see us snag a quality kick return guy while we're at it. I don't really like Martin, Manning or the rest of our KR options.

[HPF Bob]

Q: Which USC quarterback most regrets staying in school an extra year, Matt Leinart or Matt Barkley?

[Roy P]

Will we draft 2 WRs this year or should I forget about Rogers, Swope, or Patton?

With B. Williams-Not likely we get Bakhtiari or Quessenberry

With Montgomery selection - Giving up hope for Cornelius Washington/Devin Taylor

So: keeping my fingers crossed for
CB Jordan Poyer, BW Webb, Brandon McGee, or Steve Williams.
I might "reach" for Lb AJ Klein right now just out of need.
I want a DT: Jesse Williams, Montori Hughes or Josh Boyd.

[WMH]

Q: Which USC quarterback most regrets staying in school an extra year, Matt Leinart or Matt Barkley?

Gotta think Barkley. The talking heads were saying Top 20 pick last year, but they've really screwed the pooch this year so who knows.

[Blitzwood]

Here's another good list of available players.

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pattisonave/Best-players-available-after-first-three-rounds-of-the-2013-NFL-Draft.html

If we truely go BPA, then Rogers, Franklin, J. Williams, and Nassib.

If we're still addressing need then perhaps Greene, Nico Johnson...

[Nconroe]

We are on the clock - moving fast now.

Another DE Trevardo Williams Connecticut

[Warren]

Looks like an interesting developmental rush OLB. He has an explosive burst and at the combine he did 30 reps and had a 38" vertical. 30.5 career sacks, a UConn record.

[nunusguy]

Another DE Trevardo Williams Connecticut
OVERVIEW
The Huskies know that the loss of not only star Kendall Reyes but fellow starting defensive tackle Twyon Martin will hurt, so they're hoping for big seasons from returning impact defensive ends Jesse Joseph and Williams.
Joseph has been the more consistent player of his career and he enters his senior campaign having already started 34 games.

Williams emerged as one of the nation's most feared pass rushers last season, registering 12.5 sacks, including nine in the final five games. With 12.5 sacks over 12 games last season, Williams joined Houston Texans' first round pick Whitney Mercilus in being one of only two players in the FBS to average more than a sack per game.

ANALYSIS
Strengths: Explosive athlete with natural edge-rush ability. Extremely quick get-off to go with flexibility that makes him a consistent threat to round the edge on every play. Big-time closing burst in space. Exhibits an impressive lateral quickness when countering back to the inside from the edge. May have the best pure get-off of anyone edge rusher in this year's class. Relentless motor to the whistle.
Exhibits acceleration to track down the stretch play from the backside. Consistently creates space with good arm extension and impressive punch to his opponent's chest plate. Makes good use of flexibility to generate low leverage at the edge. Possesses elite straight-line speed for an end, and is "plus" in this area among linebackers.

Weaknesses: Under-sized for a traditional 3-point edge rusher, but hasn't shown a lot in terms of lining up as a traditional linebacker, either. Lacks power necessary to consistently generate any kind of bull-rush and is a pure speed rusher who has to rely heavily on his get-off to make the edge.

Flashes a secondary move from time to time, but needs to continue to develop a repertoire if he's going to consistently contribute pressure at the next level. Doesn't exhibit a high level of awareness or instincts as a run defender and may be a one-trick pony. Rarely drops back into coverage, so is tough to grade in space.

Compares To: Dexter Davis, OLB/DE, Seattle Seahawks - Like Davis did at Arizona State, Williams has put up some intriguing sack numbers at the college level (11.5 in '12) despite lacking the size and strength that scouts want to see in an every-down rusher at the next level.

Williams gets off the ball much better than Davis did though, and should warrant a higher pick than the seventh-round selection that the Seahawks used on Davis back in '10. Interest should be strong from a 3-4 team willing to bank on the chance that Williams can be just as effective rushing from a two-point stance as he has been with his hand in the ground.

A legitimate double-digit sack threat in the right system who se upside could be more like Bruce Irvin in year one.

--Derek Stephens
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1665334/trevardo-williams
**************************
Pure pass rusher, though smallish. Wade keeps getting his guys. Good deal !

[jcp]

Interesting pick...never heard of the guy but 4.42 speed and 30 reps...sounds like OLB to me. So that's two in a row...

Thought we might finally go for Williams there but I leave it to the scouts

[WMH]

Per Herring, Reed will likely move inside. Mercilous and Montgomery will be the OLBs. Williams will compete with Montgomery.

[Arky]

Round 4 complete:

1 Philadelphia Matt Barkley (QB) USC
2 Kansas City Nico Johnson (ILB) Alabama
3 Tampa Bay Akeem Spence (DT) Illinois
4 Jacksonville Ace Sanders (WR) S Carolina
5 New England Josh Boyce (WR) TCU
6 Arizona Alex Okafor (DE) Texas
7 Miami Jelani Jenkins (OLB) Florida
8 Buffalo Duke Williams (S) Nevada
9 Miami Dion Sims (TE) Mich St
10 Tennessee Brian Schwenke (C) California
11 Carolina Edmund Kugbila (OG) Valdosta St
12 Green Bay David Bakhtiari (OT) Colorado
13 NY Giants Ryan Nassib (QB) Syracuse
14 Pittsburgh Shamarko Thomas (S) Syracuse
15 Oakland Tyler Wilson (QB) Arkansas
16 St. Louis Barrett Jones (C) Alabama
17 Dallas B.W. Webb (CB) W & Mary
18 Pittsburgh Landry Jones (QB) Oklahoma
19 Arizona Earl Watford (OG) JMU
20 Chicago Khaseem Greene (OLB) Rutgers
21 Cincinnati Sean Porter (OLB) Texas A&M
22 Washington Phillip Thomas (S) Fresno St
23 Minnesota Gerald Hodges (OLB) Penn State
24 Indianapolis Khaled Holmes (C) USC
25 Green Bay J.C. Tretter (OG) Cornell
26 Seattle Chris Harper (WR) Kansas St
27 Houston Trevardo Williams (DE) UConn
28 Green Bay Johnathan Franklin (RB) UCLA
29 Tampa Bay William Gholston (DE) Mich St
30 Atlanta Malliciah Goodman (DE) Clemson
31 San Francisco Quinton Patton (WR) La Tech
32 Baltimore John Simon (DE) Ohio St
33 Baltimore Kyle Juszczyk (FB) Harvard
34 San Francisco Marcus Lattimore (RB) S Carolina
35 Detroit Devin Taylor (DE) S Carolina
36 Atlanta Levine Toilolo (TE) Stanford

[HPF Bob]

Arizona is having the draft I wanted.

[popanot]

I have no doubt now that if one of these two OLB can play, Brooks Reed will move inside. I like it. I think him and Cush inside would be huge.

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Texans-could-move-Brooks-Reed-inside-after-drafting-OLBs/e07218df-55a4-4930-bf98-a6b2f718c275

[Arky]

Arizona is having the draft I wanted.

Ya, Arizona and SF are the two teams that jump out to me as having good drafts....

[chuck]

Ya, Arizona and SF are the two teams that jump out to me as having good drafts....

Saint Louis looks pretty good to me.

[HPF Bob]

Need I remind you we play the NFC West this year.

[chuck]

Need I remind you we play the NFC West this year.

If the Texans get beat next year by a bunch of rookies then we have more problems than we know about.

[chuck]

It never fails to amaze me that someone pays Charley Casserly to talk about football.

[gunn]

If the Texans get beat next year by a bunch of rookies then we have more problems than we know about.

Most likely those problems go by the name Kubiak and Schaub...

[Warren]

I have no doubt now that if one of these two OLB can play, Brooks Reed will move inside. I like it. I think him and Cush inside would be huge.

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Texans-could-move-Brooks-Reed-inside-after-drafting-OLBs/e07218df-55a4-4930-bf98-a6b2f718c275That would explain why they haven't taken an ILB so far. If the young OLBs can step up, that front seven would give Wade all sorts of options to play with.

[nunusguy]

I have no doubt now that if one of these two OLB can play, Brooks Reed will move inside. I like it. I think him and Cush inside would be huge.

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Texans-could-move-Brooks-Reed-inside-after-drafting-OLBs/e07218df-55a4-4930-bf98-a6b2f718c275

Last year we were pretty strong setting the edge vs rushing plays with Barwin & Reed, so I wonder how much of a drop-off they might risk with Mercilus and a rookie in their places ?

[chuck]

That would explain why they haven't taken an ILB so far. If the young OLBs can step up, that front seven would give Wade all sorts of options to play with.

It does seem curious that they're apparently going to rely on a pair of rookies at OLB when they were so reluctant to give Mercilus a lot of time last year despite his production.

[Arky]

Texans on the clock........

Trade!

with Rams...

[Warren]

Thinking about this a little more, if Reed does go inside, what does the nickel front look like?

DE/OLB Montgomery
DL Watt
DL Smith
DE/OLB Mercilus
LB Cushing
LB Reed

Not only is that a lot of pass rush ability on the field, but also a lot of versatility. I could see Wade moving Reed in particular around to create some real mismatches.

[chuck]

As soon as someone figures out what we got for giving up that pick please let us know.

[HPF Bob]

We traded with the Rams...

[Arky]

Texans get the Rams two 6th round picks in the trade radio is reporting..... That means the Texans have four 6th round picks....

[nunusguy]

Thinking about this a little more, if Reed does go inside, what does the nickel front look like?

DE/OLB Montgomery
DL Watt
DL Smith
DE/OLB Mercilus
LB Cushing
LB Reed

Not only is that a lot of pass rush ability on the field, but also a lot of versatility. I could see Wade moving Reed in particular around to create some real mismatches.
Just gonna have a single inside backer in the nickel.

[Warren]

NFL.com draft tracker is showing two 6ths, #184 and 198.

[HPF Bob]

Texans trade No. 160 pick to the Rams for picks No. 184 and No. 198.

[Warren]

Just gonna have a single inside backer in the nickel.If Reed is one of those ILBs, though, do they take him off the field on passing downs?

[popanot]

So ticked Seattle took Luke Willson in front of us. That's 3 players so far (Brown, Lemoneire and Willson) that I wanted the Texans to get that we're snagged right before our pick.

[Nconroe]

Texans trade No. 160 pick to the Rams for picks No. 184 and No. 198.

[WMH]

If Reed is one of those ILBs, though, do they take him off the field on passing downs?

Good problem to have, IMO.

[chuck]

Just gonna have a single inside backer in the nickel.

Traditionally, yes. I think Warren's point is that Wade has the ability, the personnel, to get more speed on the field in passing situations. That's the whole point of the 3-4 to begin with. Do you think a QB looking at 3rd and 8 would be more troubled by Brooks Reed or Earl Mitchell?

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

[Warren]

It does seem curious that they're apparently going to rely on a pair of rookies at OLB when they were so reluctant to give Mercilus a lot of time last year despite his production.It might just be a matter of necessity. Last year they had the luxury of spotting Mercilus behind Barwin and Reed, who were both coming off productive seasons.

[chuck]

It might just be a matter of necessity. Last year they had the luxury of spotting Mercilus behind Barwin and Reed, who were both coming off productive seasons.

Unless Mercilus missed a bunch of assignments in the running game that I'm unaware of for some reason I think it's plain that he outplayed either of them. Playing a rookie sparingly at the outset seems fine to me but when he demonstrates that he makes things happen on the field he should stay there.

Anyway, that's water under the bridge.

[Arky]

Round 5 complete:

1 Kansas City Sanders Commings (CB) Georgia
2 Jacksonville Denard Robinson (WR) Michigan
3 Philadelphia Earl Wolff (S) NC State
4 Seattle Jesse Williams (DT) Alabama
5 Seattle Tharold Simon (CB) LSU
6 Indianapolis Montori Hughes (DT) UT-Martin
7 Arizona Stepfan Taylor (RB) Stanford
8 NY Jets Oday Aboushi (OG) Virginia
9 Tennessee Lavar Edwards (DE) LSU
10 Buffalo Jonathan Meeks (S) Clemson
11 New Orleans Kenny Stills (WR) Oklahoma
12 San Diego Steve Williams (CB) California
13 Denver Quanterus Smith (DE) W Kentucky
14 Tampa Bay Steven Means (OLB) Buffalo
15 Carolina A.J. Klein (ILB) Iowa St
16 St. Louis Brandon McGee (CB) Miami
17 Pittsburgh Terry Hawthorne (CB) Illinois
18 Dallas Joseph Randle (RB) Oklahoma St
19 NY Giants Cooper Taylor (S) Richmond
20 Atlanta Stansly Maponga (DE) TCU
21 Washington Chris Thompson (RB) Florida St
22 Minnesota Jeff Locke (P) UCLA
23 Cincinnati Tanner Hawkinson (OT) Kansas
24 San Francisco Quinton Dial (DE) Alabama
25 Seattle Luke Willson (TE) Rice
26 Green Bay Micah Hyde (CB) Iowa
27 St. Louis Zachary Stacy (RB) Vanderbilt
28 Denver Tavarres King (WR) Georgia
29 Washington Brandon Jenkins (OLB) Florida St
30 Chicago Jordan Mills (OT) La Tech
31 Miami Mike Gillislee (RB) Florida
32 Detroit Sam Martin (K) App St
33 Miami Caleb Sturgis (K) Florida
34 Green Bay Josh Boyd (DT) Miss St
35 Baltimore Ricky Wagner (OT) Wisconsin

[Roy P]

I'd like a CB, a TE, and a NT. Jordan Poyer, Josh Boyd, and I don't know who at TE

[Nconroe]

What do ya'll think Texans will do with these four picks coming in 6th.

Maybe RB, TE, CB, DT? maybe in some order.

And one 7th rnd pick. Maybe another ILB?

[popanot]

Just traded up

[popanot]

Quessenberry

[Arky]

Hmmm, another OT.... P-squad probably....

[HPF Bob]

Trade up to get a guy on the p-squad?

[Warren]

College LT projected to move to OG in the NFL. Started college as a TE. Sounds like a good fit for the zone scheme -- moves well, gets to the second level, not huge but uses leverage, etc. Submarine pitcher?

[Warren]

Gave up one of the 6ths (#184 from the Rams) and their 7th (#233).

[popanot]

Mayock loves the pick. Says he's the ideal swing Tackle.

[HPF Bob]

I'm hearing a lot of teams took Swope off their boards because he suffered four concussions at A&M.

[Arky]

Trade up to get a guy on the p-squad?

Well, it is getting kinda crowded at tackle.... I can see them getting rid of Gardner and Mondek... That leaves Brown, Newton, Harris, 3rd rounder Williams and this guy....

As mentioned above, turning him into a guard might be what they're thinking..

[HPF Bob]

I wasn't all that impressed with this Brooks guy we got in the third last year. Maybe that was a wasted pick.

[popanot]

Last 2 picks:: Dysert or Bray and Ellison or Ceire Wood. Of course, I'll be completely wrong on both picks.

[popanot]

There goes Ellington. And I guess the Texans still have 3 picks left.

[Warren]

I never get tired of that John Clayton commercial. And that's a good thing, because ESPN definitely gives you every opportunity to get tired of it.

[Warren]

WR Alan Bonner, Jacksonville St.

[Nconroe]

WR Allen Bonner

[chuck]

There's the return man for Bob.

[gunn]

Who? Still waiting to trust Kubiak with an offensive pick...

[Warren]

Slot receiver with average to below average tools. Reliable hands and smooth route runner. Small school guy who didn't dominate that level or do much when he played against bigger programs.

[HPF Bob]

And now a nose plug from Bowling Green.

[Warren]

Chris Jones is a scrappy DT who had 12.5 sacks as a senior despite being undersized (6-1, 300ish) and not especially explosive. Plays hard and uses his hands well. More of the penetrator that Wade has had success with than the massive, block-eating NT we've been looking for.

[HPF Bob]

And Ryan Griffin from Tulane is this year's QB project.

[Warren]

Is it Ryan Griffin the Tulane QB or Ryan Griffin the UConn TE? Seeing both on different sites.

[Warren]

If it's the TE, he's being compared to Garrett Graham. Decent in all phases but not outstanding in any.

[Roy P]

And Ryan Griffin from Tulane is this year's QB project.

He is a TE, right?

[Warren]

NFL.com is showing the UConn TE, FWIW.

[Arky]

Round 6 complete:

1 Jacksonville Joshua Evans (S) Florida
2 Kansas City Eric Kush (C) California PA
3 Detroit Corey Fuller (WR) Va Tech
4 Oakland Nick Kasa (TE) Colorado
5 Denver Vinston Painter (OT) Va Tech
6 Arizona Ryan Swope (WR) Texas A&M
7 Cleveland Jamoris Slaughter (S) Notre Dame
8 Houston David Quessenberry (OT) San Jose St
9 Buffalo Dustin Hopkins (K) Florida St
10 NY Jets William Campbell (OG) Michigan
11 San Diego Tourek Williams (DE) Fla Int'l
12 San Francisco Nick Moody (OLB) Florida St
13 Oakland Latavius Murray (RB) C Florida
14 Carolina Kenjon Barner (RB) Oregon
15 New Orleans Rufus Johnson (DE) Tarleton St
16 Oakland Mychal Rivera (TE) Tennessee
17 Dallas DeVonte Holloman (OLB) S Carolina
18 Pittsburgh Justin Brown (WR) Penn State
19 Arizona Andre Ellington (RB) Clemson
20 Chicago Cornelius Washington (DE) Georgia
21 Tampa Bay Mike James (RB) Miami
22 Cincinnati Rex Burkhead (RB) Nebraska
23 Washington Bacarri Rambo (S) Georgia
24 Indianapolis John Boyett (S) Oregon
25 Green Bay Nathan Palmer (OLB) Illinois St
26 Seattle Spencer Ware (RB) LSU
27 Houston Alan Bonner (WR) Jackvl St
28 Minnesota Jeff Baca (OG) UCLA
29 Cincinnati Cobi Hamilton (WR) Arkansas
30 Houston Christopher Jones (DT) BGU
31 Detroit Theo Riddick (RB) Notre Dame
32 Baltimore Kapron Lewis-Moore (DE) Notre Dame
33 Houston Ryan Griffin (TE) UConn
34 Tennessee Khalid Wooten (CB) Nevada
35 Baltimore Ryan Jensen (OG) So Colorado
36 Kansas City Braden Wilson (FB) Kansas St
37 Oakland Stacy McGee (DT) Oklahoma
38 Pittsburgh Vince Williams (ILB) Florida St

[Warren]

So is the official team site.

[HPF Bob]

Fine with me. I'd rather see Case Keenum get another shot. The Texans traded their seventh so they are all done. What say you? A letter grade?

[Warren]

I'd rather see Case Keenum get another shot.They secured the future of the QB position when they signed Stephen McGee. :D

[nunusguy]

Chris Jones is a scrappy DT who had 12.5 sacks as a senior despite being undersized (6-1, 300ish) and not especially explosive. Plays hard and uses his hands well. More of the penetrator that Wade has had success with than the massive, block-eating NT we've been looking for.
However, all of the above was just small potatoes compared to what Jones had in store for the MAC during his senior season. As a senior, Jones became known as the "Monster of the MAC". How? He recorded 42 tackles, 19 of which were for loss. He recorded an astonishing 12.5 sacks and ranked third in the nation in the category -- as a defensive lineman that was almost always had to deal with multiple blockers.
http://www.hustlebelt.com/2013/4/24/4263532/Chris-Jones-2013-nfl-draft-profile-Bowling-Green
***************************************
Interesting prospect. 12 and a half sacks is phenominal production for an interior DLineman. He's not big, 'bout the same size as Mithcel.

[nunusguy]

Quessenberry
Could turn out to be the best value of the Draft for us. He was good enough to get invited to the Senior Bowl, and I watched the practices the week before the game they telecast from Mobile, and he was impressive, blocked fairly effectively in the one-on-onesagainst the big-time pass-rushers at the SB. He started multi years as the LT in college so he has some skills as a pass-blocker. Also it's possible they consider moving him inside.
Wss projected as midround pick, and I realize that means nothing, but still I think he might end up being a very good value for a 6th rounder.

[Nconroe]

Guess we will see how these 6th rounders do, but all show some promise.

Even Bonner who had low time at combine of 4.42 in 40 yds.

This from Cbssports.

Bonner wasted no time making an impact for the Gamecocks, ranking ninth in the country with an average of 13.9 yards on punt returns and catching 14 passes as a true freshman.
He saw action in all 12 games the following season, catching 17 passes with five touchdowns and finishing second in the OVC with a 25.9-yard kickoff return average and third with a 10.8-yard average on punt returns.

Bonner started 10 of 11 games in 2011, leading the team in catches (33), receiving yards (582) and receiving touchdowns (three).

As a senior, he led Jacksonville State in catches (50), receiving yards (859) and touchdowns (8) as a senior in 2012. Bonner set the school career record in punt return yards (972) and punt returns (87), while ranking second on the career pass receiving yards (1,986) and pass receiving touchdowns with 20.

[Roy P]

My favorite pick was Quessenberry, see him as the eventual RT. Like was I read about Chris Jones - sounds like what I thought Brandon Williams would be. If we could do it all over again, I'd like to have drafted B.W. Webb and Phillip Thomas (#89 & #95) for he Secondary in the 3rd round. Trevardo Williams sounds like he could be what I expected Cornelius Washington would be, so I'd say that's my 3rd favorite pick (making the Sam Montgomery pick unneccesary). If we had Phillip Thomas, then I could take Sio Moore over Swearinger. I'm ok with Hopkins, but think Justin Hunter may have been better.

Overall, I give them a B- for duplication with B. Williams/Quessenberry & Montgomery/Williams instead of getting a TE & ILB.

[Nconroe]

And then I'm wondering what UDFA Texans will get, should include 3 or 4 RB, maybe as many as 20 in all.

Way to early for a grade, but ok, for now a B+. The first 5 picks were all in somebodys top 100, so some good recognozed talent taken. Plus their primary needs taken care of. Texans have been picking two at main need positions last three or four years, competition.

And seems we got three guys with good sack production which should help some of cover 5 defense rotations.

[barrett]

My favorite pick was Quessenberry, see him as the eventual RT. Like was I read about Chris Jones - sounds like what I thought Brandon Williams would be. If we could do it all over again, I'd like to have drafted B.W. Webb and Phillip Thomas (#89 & #95) for he Secondary in the 3rd round. Trevardo Williams sounds like he could be what I expected Cornelius Washington would be, so I'd say that's my 3rd favorite pick (making the Sam Montgomery pick unneccesary). If we had Phillip Thomas, then I could take Sio Moore over Swearinger. I'm ok with Hopkins, but think Justin Hunter may have been better.

Overall, I give them a B- for duplication with B. Williams/Quessenberry & Montgomery/Williams instead of getting a TE & ILB.

I don't mind the duplication at OLB. Any 34 team should be constantly drafting OLBs. But the duplication at Tackle makes less sense. Especially after a decent first year from Newton and the resigning of Harris. It looks like they went OT earlier and then were suprised to find Quessenberry available late and couldn't pass it up. It also doesn't make any more sense to me if one is moving to guard since we have a pair of rookie guards from last year. It definitely seems like at least one of these guys will be squeezed out.

And even if Reed is headed inside I still would have liked another body.

[Arky]

Round 7 complete:

1 Kansas City Mike Catapano (DE) Princeton
2 Jacksonville Jeremy Harris (CB) New Mexico St
3 Oakland Brice Butler (WR) SDSU
4 Jacksonville Demetrius McCray (CB) App St
5 Detroit Michael Williams (TE) Alabama
6 Philadelphia Joe Kruger (DE) Utah
7 Minnesota Michael Mauti (ILB) Penn State
8 Minnesota Travis Bond (OG) UNC
9 NY Jets Tommy Bohanon (FB) W Forest
10 Green Bay Charles Johnson (WR) G Valley St
11 Cleveland Armonty Bryant (DE) E Cent Oklahoma
12 Philadelphia Jordan Poyer (CB) Oregon St
13 Arizona D.C. Jefferson (TE) Rutgers
14 Seattle Ryan Seymour (OG) Vanderbilt
15 San Diego Brad Sorensen (QB) S Utah
16 Buffalo Chris Gragg (TE) Arkansas
17 Pittsburgh Nicholas Williams (DT) Samford
18 Green Bay Kevin Dorsey (WR) Maryland
19 NY Giants Eric Herman (OG) Ohio
20 New England Michael Buchanan (DE) Illinois
21 Cleveland Garrett Gilkey (OG) Chadron St
22 Washington Jawan Jamison (RB) Rutgers
23 Minnesota Everett Dawkins (DT) Florida St
24 Indianapolis Kerwynn Williams (RB) Utah St
25 Seattle Ty Powell (OLB) Harding
26 Green Bay Samuel Barrington (OLB) S Florida
27 Oakland David Bass (DE) Mo Western
28 Denver Zac Dysert (QB) Miami (OH)
29 New England Steve Beauharnais (ILB) Rutgers
30 Chicago Marquess Wilson (WR) Wash St
31 San Francisco B.J. Daniels (QB) S Florida
32 Baltimore Aaron Mellette (WR) Elon
33 Philadelphia David King (DE) Oklahoma
34 Cincinnati Reid Fragel (OT) Ohio St
35 Seattle Jared Smith (DT) N Hamp
36 Seattle Michael Bowie (OT) Northeastern State
37 Atlanta Kemal Ishmael (S) C Florida
38 Atlanta Zeke Motta (S) Notre Dame
39 Detroit Brandon Hepburn (ILB) Florida A&M
40 San Francisco Carter Bykowski (OT) Iowa St
41 Baltimore Marc Anthony (CB) California
42 Tennessee Daimion Stafford (S) Nebraska
43 Atlanta Sean Renfree (QB) Duke
44 Miami Don Jones (S) Arkansas St
45 Cincinnati T.J. Johnson (C) S Carolina
46 San Francisco Marcus Cooper (CB) Rutgers
47 NY Giants Michael Cox (RB) UMass
48 Indianapolis Justice Cunningham (TE) S Carolina

[nunusguy]

But the duplication at Tackle makes less sense. Especially after a decent first year from Newton and the resigning of Harris.


No, see potentially here's what I see:
LT - Brown
LG - Quess
C - Myers
RG - Brooks
RT - Williams
swing tackle - Newt
swing G/C - Jones

[Arky]

Texans picks:

1 27 27 DeAndre Hopkins WR Clemson

2 25 57 D.J. Swearinger S South Carolina

3 27 89 Brennan Williams OT North Carolina

3 33 95 Sam Montgomery DE LSU

4 27 124 Trevardo Williams DE Connecticut

6 8 176 David Quessenberry OT San Jose State

6 27 195 Alan Bonner WR Jacksonville State

6 30 198 Christopher Jones DT Bowling Green

6 33 201 Ryan Griffin TE Connecticut


9 guys, nice little haul. College free agent list will probably come out Sunday night......

[barrett]

No, see potentially here's what I see:
LT - Brown
LG - Quess
C - Myers
RG - Brooks
RT - Williams
swing tackle - Newt
swing G/C - Jones

That's exactly my point. You are assuming a 6th round pick switches positions to guard and beats out last year's 4th rounder (Ben Jones), and that both of them make Wade Smith expendable (and there is no reason for that to happen). With Brooks, Newton, Jones, and Harris already in the fold (and all cheap), along with Brown and Meyers having two spots locked up, two tackles were not needed.

Again, my guess is they really liked the value in round 6 and could not pass him up, and ended up with an extra OL. That is not a big problem and volume drafting with mid to low picks and letting the best two win the right side spots is not a bad idea. I was just agreeing with Roy that when grading the draft as a whole, we duplicated some things we didn't need to and left out a few that might have been addressed. Hopefully we flesh out the ILB spot with some UDFAs.

[Blitzwood]

Fine with me. I'd rather see Case Keenum get another shot. The Texans traded their seventh so they are all done. What say you? A letter grade?

While I liked our draft, and give them an A-.....reason is because it's so frustrating to listen to R. Smith lie about their draft philososphy. He's been quoted so frequently as saying they always go for best available player, but this was a blatently and strictly a needs oriented draft. When guys like Bray, D'rick Rogers, Poyer, Joe Kruger, and K. Reddick are still on the board, we select fairly unknown products in the 6th....

Of course we know some have baggage and what not, and we aren't privi to the same information as the teams, but to spend a 6th on a talent like Kruger, Poyer, or Rogers the risk would be , IMO, less than spending the same pick on a lesser known talent from an inferior level of competion.

With all that said, we've seemed to plug a lot of holes in our roster. The first 3 rounds were excellent picks, I imagine 4 starters for week one.

[nunusguy]

That's exactly my point. You are assuming a 6th round pick switches positions to guard and beats out last year's 4th rounder (Ben Jones), and that both of them make Wade Smith expendable (and there is no reason for that to happen). With Brooks, Newton, Jones, and Harris already in the fold (and all cheap), along with Brown and Meyers having two spots locked up, two tackles were not needed.

Again, my guess is they really liked the value in round 6 and could not pass him up, and ended up with an extra OL. That is not a big problem and volume drafting with mid to low picks and letting the best two win the right side spots is not a bad idea. I was just agreeing with Roy that when grading the draft as a whole, we duplicated some things we didn't need to and left out a few that might have been addressed. Hopefully we flesh out the ILB spot with some UDFAs.
In spite of the PB selection last year, Wade has been fading and it's time to come up with a cheaper, younger guy. So voila, lot of people had a third round grade on Quess and he fits our ZB scheme, so when he fell into the Texans' lap Smith scrambled and took advantage of the opportunity. See you always want to put your 5 best OLinemen on the field which is what they will do and Jones, who was drafted to be Myers' backup and eventual replacement, will function just fine as the swing player for the interior Oline until his time comes. So by drafting BPA instead of need, the Texans just improvise a bit and everything falls into place for them anyway.

[Roy P]

Hopefully we flesh out the ILB spot with some UDFAs.

It is my hope that we will some day have an ILB who has enough speed & instincts to play well in coverage. I hated watching that guy we picked up from the Cowboys (Brady james?) attempting to cover TEs & RBs who went across the middle, forget slot WRs. That's why I wanted to sign Karlos Dansby or draft Zaviar Gooden.

At Safety we had a guy named Bernard Pollard who was a nasty hitter and could stop the run around the line of scrimmage. We let him go to Baltimore because he could not cover. I hated the Keo pick because he is too slow to cover and is essentially just a special teams guy to play Gunner. He can't play defense. I'm afraid that's what Swearinger is going to end up becoming. I was hoping for Phillip Thomas because he at least has some ball hawking skills and refuses to let WRs behind him by taking good angles. This is becoming a passing league, so it would be nice to have some defenders who are able to play the ball if our pressure doesn't lead to a sack on every pass play. Jordan Poyer struck me as a perfect fit at Nickleback who would create some INTs.

[chuck]

It's clear that the line play took a step backward last year. I don't mind the team collecting an assload of young linemen that are big and athletic and seeing how it shakes out.

[popanot]

It's clear that the line play took a step backward last year. I don't mind the team collecting an assload of young linemen that are big and athletic and seeing how it shakes out.
Exactly. Improvement must be made and the more competition, the better.

[painekiller]

That's exactly my point. You are assuming a 6th round pick switches positions to guard and beats out last year's 4th rounder (Ben Jones), and that both of them make Wade Smith expendable (and there is no reason for that to happen). With Brooks, Newton, Jones, and Harris already in the fold (and all cheap), along with Brown and Meyers having two spots locked up, two tackles were not needed.

Again, my guess is they really liked the value in round 6 and could not pass him up, and ended up with an extra OL. That is not a big problem and volume drafting with mid to low picks and letting the best two win the right side spots is not a bad idea. I was just agreeing with Roy that when grading the draft as a whole, we duplicated some things we didn't need to and left out a few that might have been addressed. Hopefully we flesh out the ILB spot with some UDFAs.

IMO this is Wade Smith's last season with the Texans, and for that matter Antonio Smith is in his last years here also. That is a lot of cap room to resign Cushing next year.

I think the team is reacting to how hard the injury to Newton is to come back from. It's not the same old ACL or MCL tear here. And they are being proactive and not allowing any of the young linemen rest on their resumes.

I like the idea of 2014 having nunusguy projection. It should be interesting to watch.

[barrett]

IMO this is Wade Smith's last season with the Texans, and for that matter Antonio Smith is in his last years here also. That is a lot of cap room to resign Cushing next year.

I think the team is reacting to how hard the injury to Newton is to come back from. It's not the same old ACL or MCL tear here. And they are being proactive and not allowing any of the young linemen rest on their resumes.

I like the idea of 2014 having nunusguy projection. It should be interesting to watch.

I would say that last year taught us you shouldn't mess with a good OL if possible. Our OL plays on the philosophy of the whole being greater than the parts, and continuity is a big part of that. I don't think Smith has begun to decline in performance at all, and I don't think he has a prohibitive salary that would have me rushing to replace him. I think keeping him should be a priority (relatively speaking). The change on the right side of our line was the only difference between 2011's very effective offense (pre-Schaub injury), and 2012's very inconsistent offense. Arian and Tate carved up everybody behind that 2011 OL, and even though neither of the players replaced were stars individually, the loss of cohesion and continuity killed our offense.

If Smith is not in serious decline I hope he is the starter and that the 2014 OL is identical to the 2013 OL.

[Nconroe]

The other lesson is this new CBA with resulting flat salary cap means non elite players need to accept fair pay or they will be playing somewhere else for veteran minimum or just out of the league before they are ready.

Teams are being forced to get younger to stay under the salary cap which is not good for consistency or keeping your own players.

Wonder if owners and competition committee will change this likely unexpected consequence of new CBA.

[WMH]

Wonder if owners and competition committee will change this likely unexpected consequence of new CBA.

Really? The owners are in the business of making money. Period. Sure, they want to win, as winning brings more money in, but at the end of the day its all about the cash. If they can get similar production from someone 5x cheaper, they'll do it in a heartbeat.

The CBA will equalize some when the new TV deals get in place, and the floor has to be followed. But right now, all the owners are winning.

[Nconroe]

Yeah, I just don't like loosing four favorite players every year and perhaps getting weaker at what had been finally been built to be a strength.

Hard to build consistency or depth, seems to force us to get FA when we had a drafted player we watched develop.

Ok, so owner needs his profit you say.