2014 Mock Drafts

[HPF Bob]

Well, there's always the possibility of trading down but I haven't given up on the QBs we already have and giving them better protection would seem to be a key need and Matthews would definitely be an upgrade projected to be a Top 10 pick. If there was a great QB available, I might be intrigued but there aren't any in this draft that I want from what I've seen of them.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Well, there's always the possibility of trading down but I haven't given up on the QBs we already have and giving them better protection would seem to be a key need and Matthews would definitely be an upgrade projected to be a Top 10 pick. If there was a great QB available, I might be intrigued but there aren't any in this draft that I want from what I've seen of them.

I agree with your assessment of the QBs in this draft, and I also think OL or DL is the way to go early in a draft. All that said, the Texans schedule for the rest of the way points to a mid round pick. And I would go with the best ILB or OL available.

[painekiller]

cbssports mock

Rob Rang has us taking Johnny Manziel, QB
Texas A&M at #4

And Dane Brugler has us taking Anthony Barr, OLB
UCLA at #4.

Rob Rang

(2-5) Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M: The Texans are desperate for a spark at quarterback. No one provides a spark like Johnny Football, whose short to intermediate-level accuracy and dynamic athleticism could make him quite a fit in head coach Gary Kubiak's offense.

Dane Brugler

Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA: After starting 2-0, the Texans have lost five straight and are on track to pick in the top-10 of the 2014 NFL Draft. But that doesn't mean this pick will be a quarterback, instead, Anthony Barr would desperately help a streaky Houston defense.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by painekiller

cbssports mock

Rob Rang has us taking Johnny Manziel, QB
Texas A&M at #4

And Dane Brugler has us taking Anthony Barr, OLB
UCLA at #4.

Rob Rang


Dane Brugler

Why in the world would Rang think Kubiak will still be here if we're picking 4th?

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Why in the world would Rang think Kubiak will still be here if we're picking 4th?

Maybe he has McNair's phone number.

I like how a couple of months ago in mock drafts we were picking 30th.

[HPF Bob]

Yeah, depressing that we're now picking in the Top 5 like old times. But, hey, they could be like the Astros and have the #1 pick every year.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Yeah, depressing that we're now picking in the Top 5 like old times. But, hey, they could be like the Astros and have the #1 pick every year.

I think I like picking #1 better than #4 with the new flatter, less progressive CBA. And look at KC, only remaining unbeaten team in the league right now after picking #1 in the Draft just 5 months ago. If you are gonna blow it up, might as well blow it up big-time so you know you've got a new regime coming in along with the top pick in the Draft ? And who's this upcoming off seasons Andy Reid ?

[painekiller]

Walters 10.30.13

#7 Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

Wide receiver is not a top need for the Texans, but there isn't a better match for them in this scenario than Mike Evans. They spent a first-round pick on another wideout last year, but the position could be addressed again. Andre Johnson, 33 in July, is owed $28 million over the next three years. That's way too much for a cap-strapped Houston squad. They may ask him to renegotiate, but Johnson, sensing he has just one more shot at a big pay day, may want to move on to a team with a more stable quarterbacking situation.

Pick change; previously Taylor Lewan, OT

#39 Stephen Morris, QB, Miami

Case Keenum will get a chance to prove himself for the rest of the season. If he doesn't convince Houston's front office that he can be a solid starter, the team will attempt to find a franchise quarterback in the spring.

#71 Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford

The Texans really wanted to add some inside linebackers in the 2013 NFL Draft, but never got around to it (Arthur Brown was snagged off the board right before they picked in Round 2). They remain pretty thin at the position, especially in the wake of yet another injury to Brian Cushing.

Pick change; previously Yawin Smallwood, ILB

I could live with Evans, to go with Hopkins and Posey, that would have the potential to be one of the best young WR corps in the league. If I am looking at QB in the 2nd, I have to do more research before commenting, my pick is still Jeffcoat from UT, and I would be very happy to have Skov slide to our 3rd pick. He can cover and has skills.

[painekiller]

3 Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA

Charlie Campbell's mock has slotted Anthony Barr to Houston for a couple of weeks now, and it makes a ton of sense. The Texans aren't getting much of a pass rush from their outside linebackers. Whitney Mercilus hasn't done much outside of the Seattle game, while Brooks Reed has been an even greater disappointment.

Anthony Barr is the best player available; some argue that he should be chosen before Jadeveon Clowney. A former running back, Barr played defense for the first time last season and made an instant impact, recording 13 sacks. He has 14.5 TFL and seven sacks through 10 games this season. The sky's the limit for him, as he'll only get better at his new position.

Pick change; previously Brett Hundley, QB

34 Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson

Case Keenum played well prior to the Oakland game, but things started to fall apart for him. If he finishes poorly, the Texans will likely draft a quarterback in the top two rounds.

Tajh Boyd struggled in a big game against Florida State and has some height issues, which is why I've moved him down in my mock draft. However, he's still worthy of being chosen in the 20-40 range.

Pick change; previously Ryan Shazier, LB

69 Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford

The Texans really wanted to add some inside linebackers in the 2013 NFL Draft, but never got around to it (Arthur Brown was snagged off the board right before they picked in Round 2). They remain pretty thin at the position, especially in the wake of yet another injury to Brian Cushing.

Pick change; previously A.J. McCarron, QB

[painekiller]

My take after the 9th straight loss

2 Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M ;this is early for him by a few slots, but he is the most can't miss pick IMO

34 Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU; has a huge arm, and has played in Cam Cameron's offense this season. Aaron Murray is having knee surgery so might be a nice pick up later in this draft for insurance.

66 Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford ; I have been mocking him to the Texans for two seasons, so why stop now.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by painekiller

My take after the 9th straight loss

2 Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M ;this is early for him by a few slots, but he is the most can't miss pick IMO

34 Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU; has a huge arm, and has played in Cam Cameron's offense this season. Aaron Murray is having knee surgery so might be a nice pick up later in this draft for insurance.

66 Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford ; I have been mocking him to the Texans for two seasons, so why stop now.

I hope there's a better option than Mettenberger who has never really wowed me but, otherwise, I'd be thrilled with this draft.

The only QB I've been impressed with this college year may be going to prison instead of going pro. Who we take as a QB may depend on who is the head coach.

I'll admit, I've only had two good looks at Bridgewater. One was the Orange Bowl win last year when he was amazing and the other was the loss to UCF this year when he looked very ordinary.

If we're drafting #1 or #2, I've got to give Clowney a serious look.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by painekiller

My take after the 9th straight loss

2 Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M ;this is early for him by a few slots, but he is the most can't miss pick IMO

34 Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU; has a huge arm, and has played in Cam Cameron's offense this season. Aaron Murray is having knee surgery so might be a nice pick up later in this draft for insurance.

66 Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford ; I have been mocking him to the Texans for two seasons, so why stop now.

I want to acknowledge that I have watched little college football this season, and even less pro football. So I am going to hold off on creating anymore of my own takes on mocks until after I watch some bowl games and senior bowl practices.

I am reading some takes on Matthews being overrated and slow footed. I will not be able to see that unless he goes to the Senior Bowl and is exposed like Winston was in 2006.

Also I have only watched a handful of QBs who will be in this draft. So i have little actual knowledge of them.

So I hope I am able to keep my word on this.

[painekiller]

Walters 11.25.2013

2 Jadeveon Clowney, DE/OLB, South Carolina

This is an obvious pick with Jadeveon Clowney on the board. Some call Clowney the top defensive prospect to come along in years. Clowney has motivational problems, as Charlie Campbell reported before anyone else about two months ago. Clowney is having a mediocre season, but teams will overlook that in favor of his talent. There were similar concerns with Julius Peppers coming out of North Carolina in 2002, and he still went No. 2 overall.

The Texans aren't getting much of a pass rush from their outside linebackers. Whitney Mercilus hasn't done much outside of the Seattle game, while Brooks Reed has been an even greater disappointment. Clowney would provide a huge boost.

Pick change; previously Anthony Barr, DE/OLB

33 Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson

Case Keenum played well prior to the Oakland game, but things have fallen apart for him. If he finishes poorly, the Texans will likely draft a quarterback in the top two rounds.

Tajh Boyd struggled in a big game against Florida State and has some height issues, which is why I've moved him down in my mock draft. However, he's still worthy of being chosen in the 20-40 range.

67 Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford

The Texans really wanted to add some inside linebackers in the 2013 NFL Draft, but never got around to it (Arthur Brown was snagged off the board right before they picked in Round 2). They remain pretty thin at the position, especially in the wake of yet another injury to Brian Cushing.

I could live with this one.

[HPF Bob]

Live with it? I'd love it but I am having my doubts that either Boyd will fall to the second or Skov will fall to the third. Keep in mind, too, that if J-ville picks ahead of us, they may take a guy they think we really want or make us trade up to get the guy we really want.

Given that the Hags are in just as deep a QB hole as we are, I wonder if we can hustle them into trading with us and maybe adding another pick. I think they'll either play us or we'll play them (on draft day, that is, as opposed to the regular schedule).

[HPF Bob]

Clowney reminds me a bit of Warren Sapp - unmotivated pothead at Dah U who everyone knew had off-the-charts ability but he fell all the way to 14th and Tampa who never regretted it. If we can keep Clowney's head on straight, he'll be a Hall-of-Famer.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Clowney reminds me a bit of Warren Sapp - unmotivated pothead at Dah U who everyone knew had off-the-charts ability but he fell all the way to 14th and Tampa who never regretted it. If we can keep Clowney's head on straight, he'll be a Hall-of-Famer.

As i understand it, the knock on Clowney is whether he has a burning desire to play football. Although he had some off-the-field issues, i don't recall anyone questioning Sapp's desire once the game started.

To me, the better comparison is our last No. 1 pick--Mario Williams. Absolute physical specimen with a question mark about his motor.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Joshua

As i understand it, the knock on Clowney is whether he has a burning desire to play football. Although he had some off-the-field issues, i don't recall anyone questioning Sapp's desire once the game started.

To me, the better comparison is our last No. 1 pick--Mario Williams. Absolute physical specimen with a question mark about his motor.

That's who I would compare him to. And I think the Texans became frustrated by Mario's on again off again motor. I don't see them touching Clowney because of the Mario experience.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by painekiller

That's who I would compare him to. And I think the Texans became frustrated by Mario's on again off again motor. I don't see them touching Clowney because of the Mario experience.

The new regime wouldn't have picked Mario. Fresh blood = Fresh decisions.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by WMH

The new regime wouldn't have picked Mario. Fresh blood = Fresh decisions.

Bob McNair is the person I remember listening to, he was talking about this in an interview. And he is not going any where in the near future.

McNair also mentioned Carr as a did not love the game type. He said they have now added love of the game into the profile they use to rate players.

[barrett]

Mario was a very good draft pick. The rest of the top 5 was Bush, VY, D'Brickshaw Ferguson, and AJ Hawk. Mario is the best player of any of them. I would also take him over the rest of the top 10 (Vernon Davis, Michael Huff, Whitner, Ernie Sims and Matt Leinhart round out the top 10). I hope if another Mario came along we would absolutely be open to drafting him.

Mario's biggest problem is he is judged by what he could be and not against the standards of mere mortals. Sure the guy could be Reggie White good if he really cared about football, but even only caring a bit he is a very good/great player at the 2nd most important position in football.

If Clowney is another Mario type you draft him and hope you have the coaching staff to get him to play hard.