Collective PSD Mock Draft: Texans War Room Style

[astrosmaniac]

yeah i got an eye on one

[mightybosstone]

I actually loved the Williams pick. Some people will say that it's a little bit high, and I'm admittedly biased because I watched a lot of Baylor games this year, but that guy is a threat to make a huge play every time he gets the ball in his hands and that's what this offense lacked so much this season. But I can't say I'm a huge fan of the other picks made so far if only because I feel like the linebacking corps should be every bit as big of a priority this offseason as WR. And not only at ILB, but maybe also at OLB if Barwin leaves. Even if he stays, Barwin, Reed and Mercillus were pretty piss poor as pass rushers this season. The whole LB corps just needs more talent to match the skill they have in their front and secondary (although a healthy Cushing obviously helps).

I do think OL could be an area of concern, but they have a lot of young guys on that right side and they were pretty banged up for much of the season. I don't think I'd spend a second rounder on one unless a steal was available there and I wasn't crazy about a corner in the third. However, I do think Williams and Hawthorne were pretty good value picks and if you go with the "Best Player Available" motto, that's certain a route they could go in the draft.

[astrosmaniac]

well ILB is definitely a top concern. but i do feel RT needs to be addressed. harris and newton just arent good enough, and i think it's much more likely that they bring in a veteran LB than a veteran RT

[TaylorMays]

I think WR, ILB, Oline and NT are huge needs and OLB isn't as big unless we cant keep Barwin. Same can be said at CB. When McCain went down with an injury, we were killed in the slot. I honestly wouldn't be opposed with having the same OLB combination nest year. There's just so many different ways we can go in the offseason and I don't think any are necessarily bad or wrong

[mightybosstone]

well ILB is definitely a top concern. but i do feel RT needs to be addressed. harris and newton just arent good enough, and i think it's much more likely that they bring in a veteran LB than a veteran RT

I'll admit that's what sucks about this mock is that you can't take free agents into account. But the Texans are pretty handicapped in the cap, so I wouldn't expect any big free agent signings this season unless they let a lot of their own free agents walk. As far as RT goes, I do think the running game struggled a tad with the drop in talent on the right side, but I don't think it's a bigger hole than ILB. Look around at any O-line in the NFL and you'll see at least one below average starter on any o-line. Also, consider that Brooks and Jones showed promise this season and it's very possible that one of them will settle into a solid starter at that RG spot. I'd kind of like to see how that o-line does when those young guys have a year of experience under their belts. The zone blocking scheme isn't super easy to pick up as a young guy. Does that mean I wouldn't support them taking an o-linemen in the second or third if it was a great value pick? Not at all. But I think if you're really trying to address the needs of this team, the LB corps has to come first.

I think WR, ILB, Oline and NT are huge needs and OLB isn't as big unless we cant keep Barwin. Same can be said at CB. When McCain went down with an injury, we were killed in the slot. I honestly wouldn't be opposed with having the same OLB combination nest year. There's just so many different ways we can go in the offseason and I don't think any are necessarily bad or wrong

If they keep Barwin, I don't see OLB as a huge need, but it's still a weakness IMO, because both he and Reed were pretty "meh" starters last season. I would like to see Mercillus get more playing time next season to see if he's more effective as an outside rusher than Reed or Barwin. Slot CB is definitely an area of concern, but that's something you could probably address with a cheap free agent signing or a mid-late round pick. And the Texans could certainly upgrade at NT, but I wouldn't say it's a huge hole. Wade Phillips has never had huge, dominating NTs in his 3-4 defenses and the Texans' defense was dominant a year ago with the same guys at that position.

For me, the biggest areas of concern are:
1a.WR
1b. ILB
3. OL
4. OLB
5. CB

[TaylorMays]

Depending on what we do in free agency, I'd flip olb and cb. Our idea of a cheap slot corner is Alan ball apparently so I'd rather draft one

[astrosmaniac]

I think it's because we are so strapped for cap that I think ILB is the most likely position filled in FA (this why I didn't use a top 3 round pick in the mock. Also consider we don't have the Mario comp pick in this). It would cost more to bring in a quality RT, d-lineman, or WR than it would a 2 down ILB in the 3-4. I fully expect them to fill at least 1 need in FA