Football Expert Mock 6 Rounds

[HPF Bob]

This is a really strange draft for me in that there are so few players I feel any strong pull to get. I have a better feel for what holes we need to fill or at least upgrade but I don't see a lot of great pairings between those holes and guys who will be there when it is our turn to pick.

So, I'm really trusting Smith/Kubiak to make good decisions and, generally, they have. Most of you are familiar with my rants about selecting d-linemen in the first round (looking back, would you rather have Okoye or Patrick Willis? Would you rather have Travis Johnson or Derrick Johnson?). But if they address the #15 pick with Orakpo or Maybin or Everette Brown, I won't be that upset because we do need someone rushing the other edge from Mario and there is no other position with a great player that is clearly better at a need position. If we pick a LB or a CB, I'm down with that. If they take a Crabtree or a Moreno (doubtful as that is), I'm going to conclude that was the highest guy on their board.

This draft just doesn't have many difference-makers or, if they are out there, they are going to need to be developed and hope they don't get injured or put in the wrong system. So, while excited for the draft to be getting here, I lack the passion I have had for some previous drafts.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Most of you are familiar with my rants about selecting d-linemen in the first round (looking back, would you rather have Okoye or Patrick Willis? Would you rather have Travis Johnson or Derrick Johnson?).

Patrick Willis was at the top of my board when they drafted Okoye, so I'm going to stand by Willis.

Derrick Johnson wasn't on the board after we traded down (that also got us Eric Winston). I would have drafted Jammal Brown, so it's kind of a wash. After trading down, I targeted Mark Clayton.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Patrick Willis was at the top of my board when they drafted Okoye, so I'm going to stand by Willis.

Derrick Johnson wasn't on the board after we traded down (that also got us Eric Winston). I would have drafted Jammal Brown, so it's kind of a wash. After trading down, I targeted Mark Clayton.

Everybody knew Willis was going to be very good, but the Texans were also high on Okoye and I remember Smith & Kubiak practically gushing as they congratulated themselves for taking him saying they didn't dream he'd still be on the Board. And as I recall rumors were they had an offer to trade the pick with Denver. Also DeMeco was just coming off of his steller rookie season and I suspect they thought other areas needed more attention that year than another LB.
Regarding Derrick Johnson, I recall Casserly saying on numerous occasions that while DJ was an outstanding 4-3 LB, he had no pass-rushing expereince in college and therefor would have been an unknown quantity in the Texans 3-4, implying his high pick would only be justified if he played OLB.

[dalemurphy]

Good Grief! that second round is amazing... So, I worked a significant trade back with NE... and then, a trade up in the 3rd to get a player, and a trade in the 6th to get one. So, I'll list the trades and then the players I cherry-picked.

15 to NE for 34, 47, 89
77, 122 for 70
188 + 7th for 180

Here we go:

34. Clint Sintim
46. D. Butler
47. Eric Wood/ Max Unger.. what a decision!
70. L. Sidbury
89. Javon Ringer
112. C. Vaughn
5th. Q. Cosby
6th. Korey Sheets

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

15 to NE for 34, 47, 89
77, 122 for 70
188 + 7th for 180

Here we go:

34. Clint Sintim
46. D. Butler
47. Eric Wood/ Max Unger.. what a decision!
70. L. Sidbury
89. Javon Ringer
112. C. Vaughn
5th. Q. Cosby
6th. Korey Sheets

Going by my board, I don't like to cherry pick.

34. CB Vontae Davis Illinois
OMG are you kidding?

46. S William Moore Missouri
I seem to always get this guy.

47. OC Eric Wood Louisville
His name is Wood, not Woods. This makes me pretty happy. Now people can see how his name is spelled on his Texans jersey.

70. RB Andre Brown NC State
That's my RB.

89. S Chip Vaughn Wake Forest
Completes my S tandem.

112. CB Asher Allen Georgia
Dunta wants a trade, right?

5th. DT Corvey Irvin Georgia
2 Bulldawgs makes a good draft.

6th. QB John Parker Wilson Alabama
I actually took a long look at Stephen McGee the round before.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

Good Grief! that second round is amazing... So, I worked a significant trade back with NE... and then, a trade up in the 3rd to get a player, and a trade in the 6th to get one. So, I'll list the trades and then the players I cherry-picked.

15 to NE for 34, 47, 89
77, 122 for 70
188 + 7th for 180

I could live with dropping out of the 1st for a deal like this. Way to get out of the box.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Patrick Willis was at the top of my board when they drafted Okoye, so I'm going to stand by Willis.

Derrick Johnson wasn't on the board after we traded down (that also got us Eric Winston). I would have drafted Jammal Brown, so it's kind of a wash. After trading down, I targeted Mark Clayton.

Good point about Winston. And Jamaal Brown would have been a good choice as it turned out. Although we have yet to have a good pass-rushing LB and we switched to a 4-3 the following year.

I realize this is all speculation but if we had a LB corps of DJ-Willis-Ryans, we could get by with slugs for DTs and still be better at stopping the run than we are now.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

This is a really strange draft for me in that there are so few players I feel any strong pull to get. I don't see a lot of great pairings between those holes and guys who will be there when it is our turn to pick.

This draft just doesn't have many difference-makers or, if they are out there, they are going to need to be developed and hope they don't get injured or put in the wrong system. So, while excited for the draft to be getting here, I lack the passion I have had for some previous drafts.

Just take a look at this guy and imagine him being on the board when we pick at #77.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sgbGgTFZ6k

When the video gets to 1:30, just watch him roam sideline to sideline on the reverse.

At 1:58 see how he doesn't get fooled on play action.

At 2:33 you will see him set the edge, get off a block, and pursue to make a tackle.

At 2:50 he shows that he's not just a "in the box" S and plays the middle of the field. He doesn't go for the knock out hit in the endzone, but goes for the interception.

This is a guy I have a strong pull to get. He fills a hole that we have had since day one. He would be a difference maker for our defense.

[gunn]

Originally Posted by Roy P

This is a guy I have a strong pull to get. He fills a hole that we have had since day one. He would be a difference maker for our defense.

I agree and I actually think he's a player that fits what the Texans are looking for back there.

[nero THE zero]

If we draft two UGAys I'll puke.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Just take a look at this guy and imagine him being on the board when we pick at #77.

I agree, Imagine adding a Chung or a Moore ( if healthy) and this guy. This draft is loaded at safety, no highly rated 1st round guys, but solid starter in the middle rounds.