GBN 2 round mock with trade
 

http://www.gbnreport.com/2010projection.html

A not very likely scenario where we trade UP instead of down in this Draft. We take RB Spiller at #15, and the giants get our 20th + something. I wouldn't do it because there are just too many RBs to be had in this Draft. Comments?

I would have taken Earl Thomas if I were to trade up. I'm not sure IF I would if he and Taylor Mays are both available though....

I would put the chances of us trading up at somewhere between zero and nil. I could be wrong, though.

The odds are low that we trade up, but never say never. Kubiak and Smith may have the "confidence" of ownership, but unless they get in the playoffs, they may be unemployed. So, desperation may create a sense of urgency. If a guy that they have as a top 5 pick slides to #12, they may just pull the trigger in order to "get over the hump" in their opinion.

Most likely, the best thing for the future of the franchise is to trade down or stay put to maximize the number of draft picks. If you are of the mindframe that a 3rd round pick has 20% chance of making the roster, then you may throw that in to move up for a perceived difference maker. Conversely, if you have confidence in your board, scouts, and process; then you believe that every pick is a potential starter.

I hate it so it will probably happen.

I'd hate if they traded up to draft Jason Pierre-Paul. He's the "next Jevon Kearse" according to some scouts. Wouldn't that be the sort of player the Texans would like opposite of Mario to get some pressure on Peyton manning? I'm just afraid that J P-P may be the next Aundray Bruce. Buyer beware.

That's a croc RP, and you know it ! Now if you would have said you'd trade up to get Weatherspoon, of course we'd believe that.

Take a look at the mock again....

7 Cleveland Eric Berry FS Tennessee
8 Oakland Bruce Campbell OT Maryland
9 Buffalo Anthony Davis OT Rutgers
10 Jacksonville Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma State
11 Denver (from Chicago) Rolando McClain LB Alabama
12 Miami Sergio Kindle LB Texas
13 San Francisco Joe Haden CB Florida
14 Seattle (from Denver) Derrick Morgan DE Georgia Tech
15 Houston (from New York Giants) C.J. Spiller RB Clemson
16 Tennessee Jason Pierre-Paul DE South Florida
17 San Francisco (from Carolina) Trent Williams OT Oklahoma
18 Pittsburgh Mike Iupati OG Idaho
19 Atlanta Everson Griffin DE Southern California
20 New York Giants (from Houston) Sean Weatherspoon LB Missouri
21 Cincinnati Earl Thomas FS Texas
22 New England Brandon Graham LB Michigan
23 Green Bay Carlos Dunlap DE Florida
24 Philadelphia Taylor Mays FS Southern California

Now, if you take a look at my draft board you will see the following

1 S Eric Berry
2 OT Trent Williams
3 DT Dan Williams
4 S Earl Thomas
5 OT Bryan Bulaga
6 LB Sean Weatherspoon
7 LB Rolando McClain
8 CB Kyle Wilson
9 CB Patrick Robinson
10 S Taylor Mays
11 CB Devin McCourty

So, on second thought, I'd be more likely to select Trent Williams in this particular scenario. Honestly, I don't see how Trent Williams gets out of the top 10, so it's probably a moot point. The reason my signature projects drafting Spoon, is because I think that my top 6 are off the board by pick #20 making him the BPA.

So much depends on other teams and what they want, it is really hard to project the first round. Maybe, you could give a good shot at who would populate the first round, but I haven't seen draft mocks running even remotely close to a consensus on even the top ten, much less the order. When some teams are drafting need and some teams are drafting BPA it is really hard to judge unless you have inside information and then it may be a red herring.

The Texans are probably close to the end of being to keep all 7+ rounds of players also. It was easy when you had nobody there, but now you have to push a pretty good player out the door to get a spot. This year may be the last year we will have to worry about all of them. Of course, the CBA may take care of it. If we have to write contracts less favorable to management then there will be a big change in how the draft works.

BTW, I understand Tampa is dying to get out of the #3 and move down, I wonder if there is any way we could move a disgruntled player and our 1st @20 up #3 and snag Suh or McCoy ?

Sure. They would love Amobi, should be enough right?:) Rams take Bradford, Lions take Suh, leaving McCoy to rush the passer inside.;)

My sarcasm detector is a little fuzzy this morning. Are you serious or just pulling my chain? I think I had a different plan in mind.

You maybe a little late on your 7 + rounds of players. Diles was the last 7th rounder who really played. Brink was a stupid pick, they could have taken Peyton Hillis who would have played special teams and been an asset.

Last seasons pick was placed on IR, so we do not know his worth.

So I would put forth the 7th round has been a throw away pick for a few years now. At least that seems to be the result of few years.

Obviously the kind of problem a team strives to have.
But given the philosophy of the Texans current regime to trade back for additional picks, doesn't this turn that philosophy on its head and motivate the Texans to batch-up late round picks to trade up for fewer, higher picks ?

I was joking. I would love to have McCoy, but I can't imagine what might be required to trade up that far. I only mentioned Amobi because Tampa seems to be in the market for a defensive tackle but I can't see them passing a chance to take McCoy or Suh.

I think Tampa is full of crap. Roy Miller did a great job as a rookie for them last year. They NEED a Defensive End very badly. Gaines Adams was a horrible pick for them. They aren't looking for the next Warren Sapp, they need the next Simeon Rice. With the likelyhood of the Rams selecting a QB, the Bucs have a hope that either Suh or McCoy slides to them. Then, they are more likely to be able to move out of the slot. The Defensive Ends in this draft who have 1st round talent, arent' worth the 3rd overall pick. Derrick Morgan or Jason Pierre-Paul wouldn't be such a "risk" if the Bucs could get another pick while trading down and paying a lesser contract.

Would you trade #20 and DeMeco Ryans for Suh?

That's a good one ?
I'd be inclined to say yes if not for the difference in financial outlay which complicates the issue. And also the knowledge of what a team has in DeMeco vs what Suh will be in the NFL (remember another recent nobrainer DT, Glenn Dorsey ?).

I'm afraid that trade would make for a better pass rush at the expense of a good run defense. I'm afraid I would pass on that. And who would play the Mike?

You think adding Suh would be at the expense of the run defense?

Who would play the Mike?....Maybe Cushing could and then Barwin could play SAM. Maybe Free Agent Larry Foote? Perhaps Diles or Bentley and then Freeman or Adibi or a draft pick plays the Will (Jamar Chaney, Dekoda Watson, AJ Edds, Rennie Curran, Simoni Lawrence, or Kavell Conner). Maybe they draft Brandon Spikes at #51. They could wait on Pat Angerer later in the draft.

I'm not advocating this line of action, just thinking outside the box. Not sure if Tampa would want to do that deal for Ryans and #20 for the opportunity to draft Suh.

I think having Dan Williams would have a similar result and we wouldn't have to trade Ryans to get him.

Here's a more interesting offer. Would you deal #20, Amobi and next year's first-rounder for #3? (I'd tap dance if it were Suh and I might even learn to pronounce his first name but it would probably be McCoy anyway).

The Bucs might do it because they get out of the #3 spot, they take Okoye's contract for a couple of years (and who knows if he might yet develop) and they get a low first for the next two seasons to help them rebuild.

The Texans unload a bad contract and get an expensive but stud d-lineman to complete their front four (I think you'll see more Barwin next year opposite Mario). It will cost them a #1 next year which would be the only downside but they can trade one of their WRs (Jones?) to get an extra draft pick for next year.