Mathews, E. Thomas, K. Wilson, or Dan Williams

[Blitzwood]

Wanted to take a quick poll to see if all four players where available when we pick at 20, who'd be this forum's most popular pick.

If I didn't include your player, feel free to write him in as long as there's some real possibility of him being there at 20.

[Roy P]

We can't get a player comparable to Earl Thomas in the 2nd round. The other 3 you mention, we can find reasonable substitutes without much of a step-down at pick #51.

[TexanJedi]

I would take Earl Thomas over most anyone. If he were gone I would be happy with Kyle Wilson or Dan Williams. I'm not a huge Ryan Mathews fan, but if they traded down and took him that would be alright and certainly help the running game. If those guys are all gone, but Mathews, then I would rather take a defender with that 20th pick :Taylor Mays, Sean Weatherspoon, or I would even prefer Maurkice Pouncey.

[edo783]

I would go with Wilson. CB just seems like more of a need and according Mayock and others he should be a very good one.

[Joe Joe]

I went with Mathews. I don't blame the running game all on the RBs last year. Mathews is custom made for the Texans. I know there are needs at other positions, but I think Mathews transforms the Texans offense into a juggernaut.

I would love the Texans to try to trade up to get Wilson or Thomas along with Mathews. Opposing teams will be forced into passing a lot if the Texans have Mathews.

[nunusguy]

Anybody got an opinion of either "Pro Football Weekley" or "Draft Countdown" ? The reason I ask is that I'm thinking both are fairly well regarded and in their fresh mocks that just came out in recent days they have all of these players available at 20, while it's been my understanding that both Thomas & Williams in particular have been moving up rapidly ?
My choice here would probably be Thomas but only because of his versitility and ability to reportedly be able to play not just safety but also CB.
And the pick I'm least interested in making at 20 among this group would be the Fresno State back - I'd probably draft one of the top 2 interior OLineman (Iupati or Pouncey) before I'd select Mathews.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I'd probably draft one of the top 2 interior OLineman (Iupati or Pouncey) before I'd select Mathews.

Yeah, me too. Whoever they take, the guy should be an opening day starter and I think the OLinemen could fake it for a while till they got into a groove....

NFLN reported yesterday that Pittsburgh is highly interested in Pouncey as a C/G and may select him at #18...

[NBT]

If we truly want to solve that FS problem and Earl Thomas is to go 3 to 4 spots ahead of us, probably 16 or 17, what would you think of trying to trade down to that spot to make sure we get him? And what do you think it would take to do that?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by NBT

If we truly want to solve that FS problem and Earl Thomas is to go 3 to 4 spots ahead of us, probably 16 or 17, what would you think of trying to trade down to that spot to make sure we get him? And what do you think it would take to do that?

Move up 3 spots for Earl Thomas and give up #20 and our 4th and a 6th round pick. We have an "extra" 6th from Travis Johnson, so basically losing a 4th round pick to move up and get our guy. Yeah, I'd do that and try to move down in the 2nd round to pick up that 4th round pick back.

[HPF Bob]

I like all of them which makes it a virtual certainty that if this scenario occurred, the Texans would pass on all four and probably select a DE from the ACC. Isn't there one from Georgia Tech expected to be selected around that spot?

But, if we want to play "what if", I'd probably choose Thomas or Wilson. We need secondary help even though I'd hate to pass on Mathews.

[HPF Bob]

Joel Buchsbaum was the gold standard of draft evaluators and Nolan Narwocki at PFW does not come close to filling his shoes. There isn't a "draftnik" I'm really impressed by. Most are full of groupthink and then they get exposed on draft day that either they or the NFL didn't know what they were talking about.

[Blitzwood]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Anybody got an opinion of either "Pro Football Weekley" or "Draft Countdown" ?

Yes, both are great covering the draft, although I'm a little partial to Scott Wright's DC having followed it for a few years now.

I chose Dan Williams. I think Earl Thomas would be a great selection, but I think this draft is only two rounds deep for talented DT's, whereas I feel Nate Allen in the second, Morgan Burnett in the third round or Myron Lewis in the forth would all be good values considering their respected talent level.

To have Cody and Okoye, who would be backups on most NFL rosters, start next season with no Dunta covering the best recievers is really gonna hurt this team unless we can start to bring some pressure up the middle. That's why I think taking a player like D. Williams has a slight edge over Earl Thomas. This seems to be a very deep and talented draft class for DB's.

I'd actually be happier sliding down a few spots and taking Brian Price and picking up an extra pick or two. I think he might end up being a better pro. Lamar Houston and/or Tyson Alualu would be a nice consolation prize. Having a DL of Mario, Price, Houston, and Barwin would catapult this team to the playoffs for the next decade.

I think Mathews is a little overrated right now. If mocks don't have us taking him at 20, then he slides quite a bit to San Diego at 28.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

I like all of them which makes it a virtual certainty that if this scenario occurred, the Texans would pass on all four and probably select a DE from the ACC. Isn't there one from Georgia Tech expected to be selected around that spot?

But, if we want to play "what if", I'd probably choose Thomas or Wilson. We need secondary help even though I'd hate to pass on Mathews.

I just can't see how Earl Thomas lasts until #20. If he's there and we pass on him I can only compare that to passing on Derrick Johnson to draft Travis Johnson. I am not a huge UT fan or anything, but I know talent when I see it. I'm also very cognizant of the fact that this team is hurting in the Secondary. Rick Smith did a good job of drafting Connor Barwin last year to have a pass rusher opposite of Mario. So, I'm hopeful that Derick Morgan isn't on the draft board of the Texans. That being said, it wouldn't surprise me if they drafted Jermain Gresham or Golden Tate.