2012 mocks

[painekiller]

26 Mark Barron S Alabama 6' 2" 210
58 Ronnell Lewis* OLB Oklahoma 6' 2" 234
76 Brian Quick WR Appalachian State 6' 5" 220
99 Josh Chapman DT Alabama 6' 1" 310
121 Matt McCants OT Alabama, Birmingham 6' 7" 295
161 Matt Conrath DE Virginia 6' 7" 270
195 Grant Garner OC Oklahoma State 6' 3" 289
233 Austin Davis QB Southern Miss 6' 2" 208

Even though I cannot argue all the positions taken, I am not sold on the priority/players with these picks.

By now a lot of my cherry picks will be the same old guys I have been selecting for some time now.

26 Stephen Hill* WR Georgia Tech 6' 5" 206 - offensive explosion with the #1 pick, but does not have to start day one.
58 Shea McClellin OLB Boise State 6' 3" 262 - depth/rotational OLB to help with the lose of Mario
76 Mike Martin DT Michigan 6' 2" 299 - High motor quick NT
99 Derek Wolfe DE Cincinnati 6' 5" 298 - Rotation guy who could be Smith future replacement
121 Jerry Franklin ILB Arkansas 6' 1" 241 -tackling machine in the middle
161 William Vlachos OC Alabama 6' 1" 292 - OL depth
195 Randy Bullock K Texas A&M 5' 9" 205 - could be our kicker for next 10 years
233 Donald Stephenson OT Oklahoma 6' 6" 309 - OL depth

I see this draft as a chance to add depth, not to force anyone into starting roles, finally!!!

[machoneil]

26 Peter Konz OG/C Wisconsin 6'4" 315 - Competes for the guard spot and ST OC Day 1. Drafting Badgers with the first pick is lucky.

58 Shea McClellin OLB/ILB Boise State 6'3" 262 - Can play multiple LB spots, so a potential 3-down backer sometimes, as well as ST.

76 Brian Quick WR Appalachin St 6'3" 222 - Big, fast target with big hands for red zone packages. Needs coaching up, though.

99 Mitchell Schwartz OT/OG Cal 6'5" 318 - Ideal RT for our blocking scheme, with long arms even.

121 Greg Childs WR Arkansas 6'3" 219 - Big, fast target with big hands. Knee looks healed.

161 Chris Rainey RB/WR Florida 5'8" 180 - In Sproles/Bush/McCluster mold, which could be a nice change of pace.

195 Coty Sensebaugh CB Clemson 5'11" 189 - Fast leader of sucky Clemson backfield. Can man-up with tall, fast WRs, just not with strong, fast WRs. ST gunner.

233 Evan Rodriguez TE/FB/HB/QB/ST Temple 6'1" 242 - What's that position that Casey plays? He can back that up like a Brinks truck.

[Blitzwood]

Originally Posted by painekiller

26 Mark Barron S Alabama 6' 2" 210
58 Ronnell Lewis* OLB Oklahoma 6' 2" 234
76 Brian Quick WR Appalachian State 6' 5" 220
99 Josh Chapman DT Alabama 6' 1" 310
121 Matt McCants OT Alabama, Birmingham 6' 7" 295
161 Matt Conrath DE Virginia 6' 7" 270
195 Grant Garner OC Oklahoma State 6' 3" 289
233 Austin Davis QB Southern Miss 6' 2" 208

26. Ruben Randle WR
58. Ronnell Lewis OLB
76. Dwight Bentley CB Jason Allen's replacement
99. Nick Foles QB
121. Bobby Wagner ILB/OLB
161. Cody Johnson FB
195. Jeff Allen OT/OG
233. Keshawn Martin WR/PR

UDFA- James Hanna TE
UDFA- Greg Zuerlein K
UDFA- Jonas Gray RB

[painekiller]

26 Dont'a Hightower Alabama SILB
58 Marvin Jones California WRF
76 Jonathan Massaquoi Troy OLB34
99 Matt McCants UAB LOT
121 Matt Conrath Virginia DE34
161 Brandon Brooks Miami (OH) OG
195 Ishmaa'ily Kitchen Kent State DT34
233 Asa Jackson Cal Poly CB

I still think they are overvaluing the Texans need at ILB.

[NBT]

I certainly agree with PK on overstating the need for LB in the Draft coming up.

[Nconroe]

I think maybe in top 3 rounds Texans should pick who they think is the best player available. Realizing they ususually do this but with targeted positions.

Texans do have 4 picks in top 100, so should be some good talent.

Here is Billicks latest list of top 100, we will see in about two weeks how many on this or similar lists the Texans take.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/B...players-030812

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

I think maybe in top 3 rounds Texans should pick who they think is the best player available. Realizing they ususually do this but with targeted positions.

Texans do have 4 picks in top 100, so should be some good talent.

Here is Billicks latest list of top 100, we will see in about two weeks how many on this or similar lists the Texans take.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/B...players-030812

Did anyone happen to follow the link to the cbs video of Billick talking about the Texans? He thinks we signed Eric Winston, not cut him. What a waste of a few minutes.

[WMH]

Thought this one was interesting. Personally, I would rather have a rusher than a ILB in the 2nd though....

26. Stephen Hill, WR, GT
58. Mychal Kendricks, ILB, Cal
76. James Brown, OT, Troy
99. Joe Adams, WR/KR, Arkansas
121. DeQuan Menzie, CB, Bama
161. Trevor Guyton, DE/DT, Cal

[NBT]

After Kareem I am leery of any Bama CB. However any Mock that has us taking either Stephen Hill or Coby Fleener #1 is a good one. JMHO.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by painekiller

26 Dont'a Hightower Alabama SILB
58 Marvin Jones California WRF
76 Jonathan Massaquoi Troy OLB34
99 Matt McCants UAB LOT
121 Matt Conrath Virginia DE34
161 Brandon Brooks Miami (OH) OG
195 Ishmaa'ily Kitchen Kent State DT34
233 Asa Jackson Cal Poly CB

I still think they are overvaluing the Texans need at ILB.

Looks like somebody else noticed the Cal receiver before I did. It'll be interesting to see where and when he actually goes in the Draft next week ?

[barrett]

Here is a question for those who have really done their homework (I have not).

Stephen Hill makes me nervous as a GT WR considering how little they throw the ball and the limited experience and route tree. But then I considered the blocking expectations and requirements made of WRs on the Texans. So the question is whether Hill is considered a superior blocker at the WR position. I know he had to be called on to block on 90% of his snaps so I wonder if it translates to superior technique/willingness.

[NBT]

But that is the reason he will be there when it's our turn to draft. If he is still there, I would have no qualms taking him. His potential is off the chart.

[Blitzwood]

Originally Posted by NBT

But that is the reason he will be there when it's our turn to draft. If he is still there, I would have no qualms taking him. His potential is off the chart.

Potential is a scary word, remember the saying from B. Billick:
"He is an intriguing prospect. He has great potential. But you know, just remember, the old saying, 'Son, your potential is going to get me fired.'"
Super Bowl winning coach Brian Billick.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by barrett

Here is a question for those who have really done their homework (I have not).

Stephen Hill makes me nervous as a GT WR considering how little they throw the ball and the limited experience and route tree. But then I considered the blocking expectations and requirements made of WRs on the Texans. So the question is whether Hill is considered a superior blocker at the WR position. I know he had to be called on to block on 90% of his snaps so I wonder if it translates to superior technique/willingness.

I haven't necessarily done my homework but the Cliff's Notes that I've read say he's a physical, aggressive blocker. Randle is considered a good blocker but Wright is supposed to be pretty mediocre.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Warren

I haven't necessarily done my homework but the Cliff's Notes that I've read say he's a physical, aggressive blocker. Randle is considered a good blocker but Wright is supposed to be pretty mediocre.

That makes me feel better about him as a potential pick. At least I know he won't be kept off of the field for not blocking like we expect.

[painekiller]

I am going to use the cbssports.com player rankings to fill out a mock.

26 *Stephen Hill WR Georgia Tech Jr 6-4 215

At 26, I had to choose between (30)Hill, (31)Shea McClellin, and (26)Coby Fleener. Fleener is not the guy I have to have to go TE in the 1st, so he's out. That made a tough choice between Hill and McClelin, I went with the offense because the defense has been getting the picks the last few years.

58 Bruce Irvin OLB West Virginia Sr 6-3 245

I had a hard time picking at 58. I wanted to take Boykin, but Irvin ran a 4.4 and is a perfect 3-4 rush LB. I hope I made the right choice.

76 Mychal Kendricks ILB California Sr 5-11 240

This is a BPA pick for me. I have a group of guys I wanted to take here. But finding an ILB that runs a 4.4 at 240 and is a tackling machine is hard to do.

99 Philip Blake C Baylor Sr 6-3 311

Athletic middle of the OL guy, we need depth and he fits very well.

121 Derek Wolfe DE Cincinnati Sr 6-5 295

I can see Wolfe and Watts being bookend DE that scare teams in the future, solid depth who fits what we do like a glove.

161 Coryell Judie CB Texas A&M rSr 6-0 194

Injury concerns has Judie available on this list here, the team wants to add depth to the secondary according to McNair, so here is a good one in the 5th round.

195 Desmond Wynn OG Rutgers rSr 6-6 303

Athletic guy who is raw and still learning. Could be used to push Shelley Smith.

233 Randy Bullock K Texas A&M Sr 5-09 205

OK Bob I guess your waiting to take Bullock at 233 is not such a bad thing. Will Gary really take two Aggies?

This has turned out way different than I set out to draft, but I think it's a pretty solid mock. I added explosion to the offense in the 1st. I added two fast LB in the 2nd and 3rd. I added solid depth to the OL. I added insurance for Antonio Smith's future departure. I added secondary depth and a kicker from my alma mater . Plus Coach Joe has a bunch of new toys to play with.

And I added some names to my list.

[NBT]

Thsnks for your effort PK. Of course I like Hill at #1.

I agree with most of your draft, with the excetion of NO OT! I would like to have seen one in the mock. I suppose you are thinking that Newton will prove to be a viable backup?

Phillip Blake will have to make all the line calls. Do you think he is capable?

[Blitzwood]

26. Kendall Wright WR
58. Kevin Zeitler OG
76. Cam Johnson OLB
99. Sean Spence SS
121. Cyrus Gray RB
161. TJ Graham WR
195. BJ Colman QB
233. Donald Stephenson OT

Well, not what I was hoping for, but I can live with it.

[WMH]

With all of the mocks around having the Texans taking a WR or OLB in Rd. 1, my money is on them taking some obscure T or G that we aren't talking about.......

[HPF Bob]

What I find interesting is how the mockers vary on who is the better WRs. After Blackmon (one mock had him falling to #13 which made me fall out of my chair) and Floyd, it seems like there is a second tier of Wright, Hill, Randle, Jeffrey and Sanu that seems to fluctuate depending on who does the mock. Then there is a third tier of Criner, Jenkins, Quick and some add Toon followed by a fourth tier of McNutt, Childs, Jones and Jones who some have sneaking into the third while others have them falling as far as the fifth.

Unlike some other positions, WR are not particularly specialized. There are some for speed and some for possession but practically everyone was the #1 guy on their team in college so they are used to playing the same role.

So while there may be 4-5 guys in the upper half of the draft who make good rush OLBs for Wade Phillips' defense, there are 12 wide receivers who can be good #2 receivers for our offense. Therefore, I'd rather use my first round choice to make sure I get one of those OLBs that work for me and get a third-tier WR in the second round than get one of the top 5 WRs in the first round and then *hope* one of the OLBs is still there when we come up in the second. It was looking like McClellin was our secret fallback choice but now he's getting too well known and I don't think he'll last until #58.

Neither the WR or the OLB will be an immediate starter and there are other options if we miss out on who we want but, IMO, these two positions are our chief needs and there is less talent available at OLB than WR which is why I want to take OLB first.