O'Brien Coy About Draft Options

[Roy P]

I somehow forgot to mention I want an OLB too to go along with a DE, so that makes 11 holes to fill with FS being addressed in Free Agency. I know that this is considered a deep draft, but not sure how realistic I can be that 11 draft picks all make the roster.

As for the kick return specialist, perhaps a CB like Justin Gilbert would fill that easily enough. My other option could be RB Jerrick McKinnon. Possibly a WR like Kevin Norwood or Martavis Bryant. Other WR/KR possibilities include: Damian Copeland, Tevin Reese, Jeff Janis, Ryan Grant, Bruce Ellington, Walt Powell, Isaiah Burse, Michael Campanaro, or Dri Archer.

[Nconroe]

So just for conversation, I see some think we need a TE and also WR among our 11 picks.

One thought is if you have young guys at a position how long do you develop them before replace them. Consistency and experience.

And numbers, likely you need 3 TE and 5 WR, some starters and some depth.
Can't all be stars or guys don't get playing time and you are in cap trouble.

And then Bill said he needs a slot receiver.

On Texans current roster have 4 TE and 10 WR and new coaches start OTA next week to see these guys.

Garrett Grahm TE6-3 243 27 4Wiscoonsin
84Griffin, RyanTE6-6 254 24 2Connecticut
86Potter, ZachTE6-7 269 27 4Nebraska
48Supernaw, PhillipTE6-5 248 24 2Ouachita Baptist

16Bonner, AlanWR5-10 191 23 2Jacksonville State
12Cruse, AndyWR6-3 216 24 2Miami (Ohio)
10Hopkins, DeAndreWR6-1 207 21 2Clemson
80Johnson, AndreWR6-3 230 32 12Miami (Fla.)
17Lemon, AlecWR6-2 207 2Syracuse
82Martin, KeshawnWR5-11 194 24 3Michigan State
87Nwachukwu, UzomaWR5-11 198 23 2Texas A&M
11Posey, DeVierWR6-1 210 24 3Ohio State
83Richardson, RicoWR6-1 188 22 2Jackson State
89Thomas, MikeWR5-8 198 26 6Arizona

Seems like a good group to start with to me.
Some tall guys for end zone. Some fast guys.
Mostly a young group

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

So just for conversation, I see some think we need a TE and also WR among our 11 picks.

On Texans current roster have 4 TE and 10 WR and new coaches start OTA next week to see these guys.

Garrett Grahm TE6-3 243 27 4Wiscoonsin
84Griffin, RyanTE6-6 254 24 2Connecticut

10Hopkins, DeAndreWR6-1 207 21 2Clemson
80Johnson, AndreWR6-3 230 32 12Miami (Fla.)
82Martin, KeshawnWR5-11 194 24 3Michigan State
11Posey, DeVierWR6-1 210 24 3Ohio State

I believe we can draft one or maybe two TEs that we could pair with the Two above and upgrade over the others on the roster. I happen to be a huge fan of 3-TE formations, especially if the TE can block as well as catch because it puts the defense in the horns of a dilemma - running formation or mismatch in the pass-game? Therefore, having 4 TEs is insurance against injury.

I also think a WR that would be better than Posey is possible. Possibly a 2nd that would compete with Martin as a Kick Returner. I did a mock draft where I had more than 11 picks and ended up taking a third WR in the 7th round just because he was the BPA. This is a deep draft full of talented WRs.

[HPF Bob]

I'm happy with Graham and Griffin but I think Jace Amaro is a walking mismatch that is too fast for LBs and too big for S to contain. A guy like that retools an offense and can make your QB look better than he is.

I'm also happy with our WRs and don't see it as a need. However, I see AJ's contract as being a major obstacle in the years ahead and I also think it benefits both the Texans and AJ to deal him to a SB contender before the balloon payment years hit. With that in mind, if a superstud WR fell to us at 2-1, particularly Mike Evans, I'd be willing to take him and then shop AJ before the 2015 draft.

If we do trade down for more picks, a TE or WR further down the draft is a possibility, particularly a WR that returns kicks since I've never been thrilled with Martin. But I'm not going to waste a pick on one unless he's obviously the best guy available. We can find roster fodder out of UDFAs and practice squad claims to fill out the 75-man.

[Nconroe]

It is a deep draft and I believe for now to follow draft board rather than maybe need. Every position can get upgraded if right guy is there on your board.

I'm thinking hard to keep too many more than 11 rookies on 53 man roster and expect to be good, so not to many trade downs needed.

I like Devier Posey and think with a chance can become a very good receiver.

And I like Amaro as well.

So, let's say we agreed atleast one good TE is needed, which means we want one in first four rounds, but our board says DE, DT, ILB, OG. Then what do we do reach for TE at four or follow board? And then listen to complaints why we didn't draft a stud TE?

Well right now we have 13 mil cap space and draft picks will likely take six of that and need to keep 4 in reserve for injuries during season so if have holes after training camp have atleast 3 mil to pick up one or two FA or cuts from other teams, one of which is a TE. Of couse we have 4 TE now and maybe we will be pleasantly surprised by all of them.
.

[HPF Bob]

Fanspeak Big Board. Sent 1-1 to Atlanta for 1-6, 2-5, 3-4 and 4-3. With the most obvious choices gone, the picks at #6 were Sammy Watkins, Teddy Bridgewater and Anthony Barr. Since Bridgewater was my preferred QB, he was the choice.

Now that I have a rookie QB, I need to give him blockers and weapons.

1-6: (from ATL) Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
2-1: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
2-5: (from ATL) David Yankey, G-T, Stanford
3-1: Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin
3-4: (from ATL) Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
4-1: Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio St.

Now it was time to begin helping the defense and filling in depth.

4-3: (from ATL) Keith McGill, CB, Utah
4-35: (comp) Caraun Reid, DT, Princeton
5-1: Taylor Hart, DE, Oregon
6-1: Storm Johnson, RB, South Florida
6-5: (from OAK) Chris Davis, CB-KR, Auburn
6-35: (comp) Cassius Marsh, DE, UCLA

And finally some comfort food for Bridgewater

7-1: Damian Copeland, WR, Louisville
7-41: (comp) Preston Brown, ILB, Louisville

[Roy P]

Send 1.1 to Buf for 1.9, 2.9, 3.9, & 4.9. Send 2.9 to Pit for 2.14 & 2.18. Send 3.9 to NYJ for 3.16 & 4.37. My perfect draft on Fanspeak.


9 OT GREG ROBINSON AUBURN

33 DE TRENT MURPHY STANFORD

46 QB JIMMY GAROPPOLO EASTERN ILLINOIS

65 DE KAREEM MARTIN NORTH CAROLINA

80 CB JAYLEN WATKINS FLORIDA

101 RB BISHOP SANKEY WASHINGTON

109 TE C.J. FIEDOROWICZ IOWA

118 DT CARAUN REID PRINCETON

135 WR BRUCE ELLINGTON SOUTH CAROLINA

137 QB LOGAN THOMAS VIRGINIA TECH

141 ILB AVERY WILLIAMSON KENTUCKY

177 TE CROCKETT GILMORE COLORADO STATE

181 CB WALT AIKENS LIBERTY

211 OLB DEVON KENNARD USC

216 RB TYLER GAFFNEY STANFORD

256 ILB KHAIRI FORTT CALIFORNIA

[Blitzwood]

Ok, I'll play. No trades on this one for the sake of time. Based on draftsite.


1.1. J. Clowney, DE, S. Carolina
2.33. Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
3.65. Billy Turner, OT, North Dakota St
4.101. Demarcus Lawrence, OLB, Boise St
4.135. Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska
5.141. Tom Savage, QB, Pitt
6.177. Jordan Tripp, ILB, Montana
6.181. Ryan Carrethers, DT, Arkansas State
6.211. Shamar Stephen, DT, Connecticut
7.a. Kadeem Edwards, OG, Tennessee St
7.b. Conner Shaw, QB, S. Carolina

[Roy P]

If we draft Clowney I hope he is closer to Julius Peppers than Vernon Gholston.
I am on board with Fuller and if we're going to be in Nickel 70% of the time, we should draft a CB. I liked you drafted OL. Jordan Tripp is one of my favorites. Savage has a cannon and noted you also grabbed Shaw.

[Arky]

Video: O'Brien interviewed by Sal Paolantonio and Teddy Bruschi at Clowney's pro day.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:10715409 - 2:41