For something a little different, my look at the Texans depth chart and what positions I'd like to see them pick.
It seems like the same positions are on this list year after year... WR, right side of O Line, nose tackle, cornerback.
Needs (in order )-
- Starting WR - Texans have enough young talent to fill the 3rd and backup WR spots, but need a starter opposite Andre Johnson. It would be good if they could find a #1 WR guy to take over for Johnson in a couple years.
- Starting RT - the right side of the line was a big question mark last year. I was hoping they'd get Eric Winston back in free agency.
- Starting NT - Shaun Cody was alright last year but he's gone, Earl Mitchell ain't the guy. I've been waiting for a space eater since they made the move to the 3-4. Will take some heat off the inside linebackers in the run game.
- Starting ILB - giant, giant hole when Cushing went down with an injury. It made the loss of DeMeco Ryans sting even more
- OLB depth - lots of talent and a couple top 2 round picks, but anyone drafted should see playing time rotating with the two young starters
- Starting CB - Kareem Jackson isn't so much of a train wreck anymore, but it's a "safe" pick because they need a nickle too. And a long-term replacement for FS Ed Reed.
- Starting RG - Ben Jones looked ok here last year, and Brandon Brooks might be a better fit at RT.
- Backup C - Meyers, the starter is getting old and expensive
- Backup RE - ditto with Antonio Smith, although last year may have been the best of his career starting across from JJ Watt
- Backup ILB - As much as I root for Tim Dobbins, him and Sharpton are replacement level players
What I think we'll see the Texans select
1st round - trade down - I really don't think they pick a WR this high. Kubiak might have one guy in mind that he might take, otherwise he'll try to do something else with it. I don't think you take a RT this high, and any big time nose tackles are probably gone
2nd round - WR - they took one in the 3rd and 4th last year, I think they try higher
3rd round - OLB - they love them some outside linebackers
3rd round - RT - could find a starter here
4th round - TE - only thing Kubiak loves more than OLBs is TEs. We might see two selected.
5th round - RG - they'll find the same talent as Jones and Brooks, won't clear anything up
6th round - NT - can't find a space eater here
6th round - ILB - Wade Phillips will have to work some special magic to find a starter this deep
7th round - CB - speed guy to maybe have a shot at returning punts
extra picks - if they get any, and they probably need to, I see them being used in any of the follow ways - TE, QB, H back/FB, safety
Before I started, I thought the Texans were in good shape. Now I'm not so sure. They don't have huge holes so if they nail every pick, most could be filled. I'd be ok with them trading down in the first to take some more shots to fill depth. Wade will find at least one starter in this draft, but Kubes will waste a couple picks on his fetishes. Hopefully they listened to owner Bob McNair when he said he wanted to see a wide receiver.
Showing posts with label Houston Texans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Houston Texans. Show all posts
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Texans 2012 Draft Recap
The Texans looked to address some needs and added some depth in the 2012 draft. I'm still surprised they didn't look at a tackle. They must feel strongly about Rashad Butler. He hasn't been a starter before, but has played alright as a backup. The position is really thin right now. I still like picking tackles, then letting them slide to guard if they don't pan out.
Now that the Texans are good, they've found themselves with players that fit their systems nicely. Because they're up against the salary cap, they're now finding in-kind replacements for players. It's the cliche that great organizations don't rebuild, they reload.
The Texans have also started targeting players that have fallen because of injury or suspension. They're looking for first or second round value in the middle rounds. I'm glad to see they've come off their stance that players have to be squeeky clean, it opens up the available pool greatly.
1st Round - Whitney Mercilus - DE - Illinois
Mercilus will play rush linebacker in the Texans 3-4. I haven't heard much bad about this player, except that he only produced one year. With redshirts and most good players leaving as soon as they can, I don't think it'll be unusual for players to only have one good year of production. Especially at positions like this, athleticism trumps experience.
Quarterback pressure was a skill for the Texans last year, but they've added another rush specialist. I think there are a couple things at play here. One, more pressure on the QB takes it off the cornerbacks. I don't think the CBs were any better last year, they just didn't have to defend as long. (Another reason I think they should keep trying for more corners.) Also, look at the quarterbacks in the division - Andrew Luck, Colts, Jake Locker, Titans, and Blaine Gabbart, Jags. Their pre-snap reads and progression reads won't be very good, especially with a hand in their face. Like this pick. Replaces Mario Williams.
3rd Round - DeVier Posey - WR - Ohio State
Posey will replace Jacoby Jones on the depth chart, but I'd imagine they'd like to see him line up outside opposite Andre Johnson. I like Kevin Walter as a slot receiver better than a wide-out so if this works, it'd be a great win for the Texans. I wasn't so sure about trading out of the second round, but they made the extra 3rd and 4th round picks work.
Obviously, the Texans don't think they need a second impact receiver on the team. I'm worried about this because Johnson is getting old. He missed a bunch of time last year, so it would have been nice to see them go for a 1a type guy. They thought Posey would have gone higher without the memorabilia thing so this was a value pick for them.
3rd Round - Brandon Brooks - G - Miami
Brooks is a big, big boy. Somewhere between 340 and three hundred and seventy pounds. He isn't the prototypical zone-blocking guard. Way too big. Most are closer to 300 pounds. But at 6'5", he could drop weight and still be a load. My guess here is they try him at right tackle (not sure if he played any tackle in college or not). Really no loss here. If he works, they can start him at a pretty important position. If he doesn't, he should still be able to compete at the guard spots. Didn't care for it at first, because I thought they should try for a tackle, but this just might work.
4th Round - Ben Jones - C - Georgia
Another pick I didn't understand at first. The Texans signed Chris Meyers to an extension in the off season. Jones sure looks like a specific fit at center. Prototypical size for a center, started about 50 games at center in college. I think they'l try to stretch this pick too, and work him at guard. Perhaps they felt he didn't need any coaching up at center, which would free all his time to work at guard. If this is indeed the case, the pick is very solid. However, if Jones ends up as a single position backup, this pick would be very disappointing, considering the Texans had only taken one guaranteed starter before him.
4th Round - Keyshawn Martin - WR - Michigan St.
First off, great GREAT name for a wide receiver. I'm inclined to endorse this pick on that alone. The Texans cut Jacoby Jones and Martin has a lot of experience at punt returner. That he has a chance to make the depth chart as a third receiver is icing. A "starter," even in special teams is a good pick for the fourth round. Consider too that the Texans may go for more four receiver sets after the loss of second tight end Joel Dreesen. Martin could see the field right off the bat.
4th Round - Jared Crick - DT - Nebraska
Hate the Cornhuskers, love this pick. Crick was a huge name a couple years ago. Great drafting teams identify talent, and Crick had it. Slowed by injuries, this pick has the possibility to be a HUGE steal. He'll play DE in the 3-4, opposite JJ Watt. And wow, he's got size like Watt, 6'6" and 285, these guys could anchor (pun intended) the line for years to come. Love this pick in the 4th. Great possibility to come in and push out Antonio Smith this year, saving the team some cash.
5th Round - Randy Bullock - K - Texas A&M
Well, there's got to be one. Kubes (that's what I call him), loves him some Aggies. And this portly fellow is as Aggie as they come. Zero other kickers on the roster, so I guess he's got the job. I don't remember him making big kicks or knocking them in from 50 yards. TAMU fans don't either. Best case situation, he's a perfectly invisible kicker. Worst case, he makes it through the summer as the kicker and destroys the Texans season in a meltdown. At least they didn't draft him in the 3rd???
6th Round - Nick Mondek - T - Purdue
Last year's seventh round pick, a tackle, is still on the roster, so who knows? Numbers show a good size, wasn't graded to be drafted. Texans haven't had any luck with their late round picks in general, and lineman specifically. It was too late to try to take a right tackle to compete. An incumbent backup will always beat a sixth round selection (cue plate of crow?) so I'm not expecting much. Would have liked a project in the defensive secondary to come in and work in Wade's system. I pretty much view Wade as a defensive miracle worker - if anyone could make an undersized, 4.4 type cornerback work, it would be him.
Closing Thoughts / How I Predicted
The safe way to draft, as I see it, is from the football out. Quarterback, if you need one, then offensive line, defensive line, then running backs, linebackers, then skill players, then special teams contributors. The lines contribute every play, and are cheaper in the long run, especially if the pick doesn't work out. That said, there are a couple positions that can contribute, even if they are misses - offensive tackle and cornerback. Tackles can play the left side or right side, and can drop down to guard. It might be embarrassing to pick a tackle early and have them drop to guard, but at least they can contribute for years. Same with cornerbacks, most safeties started as cornerback prospects that dropped to safety. I assume, I'm not looking it up.
Well, so how did the Texans do? Fine. Much like they do every year. Solid picks, nothing that rocks the Richter scale. Unfortunately, no one that makes pro bowls either. Every pick has a chance to make the depth chart, but no one would be surprised if none did. I guess the great teams build on solid drafts, but the Texans don't have the benefit of the doubt. One decent season does not make a great team. They don't get the benefit of the doubt yet.
I missed on the first round. I thought they'd take an offensive tackle, and also didn't think they'd address linebacker depth in the first round. They didn't take a CB, which I thought would have been a good and safe pick. Also, I think they're getting assumptive thinking they can pull a fullback out of free air. Either TE or FB or both will be thin or weak this year.
What did I nail? Two WR. One as a returner, only it seems the Texans were more serious about filling this need. Guard (tackle) - I hope they'll try Brooks at tackle, but he should compete for either guard spot if not. The need I saw at linebacker was for depth so I don't completely understand the first pick. I thought there'd be a chance they'd take a DE and they did. I win, I guess.
Solid, unspectacular draft for the Texans. Nothing here likely makes them better this year. Again.
Brooks is a big, big boy. Somewhere between 340 and three hundred and seventy pounds. He isn't the prototypical zone-blocking guard. Way too big. Most are closer to 300 pounds. But at 6'5", he could drop weight and still be a load. My guess here is they try him at right tackle (not sure if he played any tackle in college or not). Really no loss here. If he works, they can start him at a pretty important position. If he doesn't, he should still be able to compete at the guard spots. Didn't care for it at first, because I thought they should try for a tackle, but this just might work.
4th Round - Ben Jones - C - Georgia
Another pick I didn't understand at first. The Texans signed Chris Meyers to an extension in the off season. Jones sure looks like a specific fit at center. Prototypical size for a center, started about 50 games at center in college. I think they'l try to stretch this pick too, and work him at guard. Perhaps they felt he didn't need any coaching up at center, which would free all his time to work at guard. If this is indeed the case, the pick is very solid. However, if Jones ends up as a single position backup, this pick would be very disappointing, considering the Texans had only taken one guaranteed starter before him.
4th Round - Keyshawn Martin - WR - Michigan St.
First off, great GREAT name for a wide receiver. I'm inclined to endorse this pick on that alone. The Texans cut Jacoby Jones and Martin has a lot of experience at punt returner. That he has a chance to make the depth chart as a third receiver is icing. A "starter," even in special teams is a good pick for the fourth round. Consider too that the Texans may go for more four receiver sets after the loss of second tight end Joel Dreesen. Martin could see the field right off the bat.
4th Round - Jared Crick - DT - Nebraska
Hate the Cornhuskers, love this pick. Crick was a huge name a couple years ago. Great drafting teams identify talent, and Crick had it. Slowed by injuries, this pick has the possibility to be a HUGE steal. He'll play DE in the 3-4, opposite JJ Watt. And wow, he's got size like Watt, 6'6" and 285, these guys could anchor (pun intended) the line for years to come. Love this pick in the 4th. Great possibility to come in and push out Antonio Smith this year, saving the team some cash.
5th Round - Randy Bullock - K - Texas A&M
Well, there's got to be one. Kubes (that's what I call him), loves him some Aggies. And this portly fellow is as Aggie as they come. Zero other kickers on the roster, so I guess he's got the job. I don't remember him making big kicks or knocking them in from 50 yards. TAMU fans don't either. Best case situation, he's a perfectly invisible kicker. Worst case, he makes it through the summer as the kicker and destroys the Texans season in a meltdown. At least they didn't draft him in the 3rd???
6th Round - Nick Mondek - T - Purdue
Last year's seventh round pick, a tackle, is still on the roster, so who knows? Numbers show a good size, wasn't graded to be drafted. Texans haven't had any luck with their late round picks in general, and lineman specifically. It was too late to try to take a right tackle to compete. An incumbent backup will always beat a sixth round selection (cue plate of crow?) so I'm not expecting much. Would have liked a project in the defensive secondary to come in and work in Wade's system. I pretty much view Wade as a defensive miracle worker - if anyone could make an undersized, 4.4 type cornerback work, it would be him.
Closing Thoughts / How I Predicted
The safe way to draft, as I see it, is from the football out. Quarterback, if you need one, then offensive line, defensive line, then running backs, linebackers, then skill players, then special teams contributors. The lines contribute every play, and are cheaper in the long run, especially if the pick doesn't work out. That said, there are a couple positions that can contribute, even if they are misses - offensive tackle and cornerback. Tackles can play the left side or right side, and can drop down to guard. It might be embarrassing to pick a tackle early and have them drop to guard, but at least they can contribute for years. Same with cornerbacks, most safeties started as cornerback prospects that dropped to safety. I assume, I'm not looking it up.
Well, so how did the Texans do? Fine. Much like they do every year. Solid picks, nothing that rocks the Richter scale. Unfortunately, no one that makes pro bowls either. Every pick has a chance to make the depth chart, but no one would be surprised if none did. I guess the great teams build on solid drafts, but the Texans don't have the benefit of the doubt. One decent season does not make a great team. They don't get the benefit of the doubt yet.
I missed on the first round. I thought they'd take an offensive tackle, and also didn't think they'd address linebacker depth in the first round. They didn't take a CB, which I thought would have been a good and safe pick. Also, I think they're getting assumptive thinking they can pull a fullback out of free air. Either TE or FB or both will be thin or weak this year.
What did I nail? Two WR. One as a returner, only it seems the Texans were more serious about filling this need. Guard (tackle) - I hope they'll try Brooks at tackle, but he should compete for either guard spot if not. The need I saw at linebacker was for depth so I don't completely understand the first pick. I thought there'd be a chance they'd take a DE and they did. I win, I guess.
Solid, unspectacular draft for the Texans. Nothing here likely makes them better this year. Again.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Texans 2012 Draft Outlook
It's draft time again! And with that, some predictions. After too many Gary Kubiak drafts, a few things are certain. He will draft safely - no skill players in the first round, no trading up, no reaches for potential until 5th at the earliest. He will draft players I haven't heard of - of course last year J.J. Watt worked out pretty well, and Duane Brown before that. He will draft at least one TE. He will draft small, quick WR or CB in the late rounds that won't even compete for the return spot.
IF he strayed from this at all, Houston would be a happy place. And with the talent base they have FINALLY built, its time for the to take some risks to get a playmaker. But I don't think they will, and my picks below reflect that.
Losses
Traded DeMeco Ryans
Free Agency Mario Williams
Released Eric Winston
Released Lawrence Vickers
Released Matt Leinart
Free Agency Mike Brisiel
Free Agency Jason Allen
Free Agency Joel Dreesen
Pick ups
Re-signed RB Arian Foster
Re-signed Chris Myers
Signed Quintin Demps
Signed Brady James
Re-Signed Tim Dobbins
The Texans had some major losses over the off-season, but I'm not concerned about the "big" one. Mario could have been a nice player, but the cost would have been too high. Even with the nice start to last season, he's always been more potential than production. Brooks Reed and Conner Barwin kept the pressure up in his absence. With Wade Phillips ability to find defensive talent, the Texans should be able to find some depth in the draft.
I'm afraid DeMeco Ryans will be quite missed. When he missed time in 2010, the defense fell apart. He called the plays and was captain of the team. What's truly sad is that even though he was hurt, he was playing the most physical football of his career. He was playing with a swagger and HITTING people. Now he'll be replaced with Brian Cushing who has struggled with the additional burden of play calling in the past or Tim Dobbins. Dobbins was with Phillips for a year in San Diego, maybe Wade knows something we don't.
Losing two-fifths of your offensive line is an issue. While none of the linemen were elite, they were obviously a great group together. Rashard Butler was a utility lineman, able to fill in anywhere, which is very beneficial, allowing the other lineman to continue playing their given positions.
The Texans lost their FB for a second straight year. They're getting risky with a very important offensive position to them. They also lost Joel Dreesen, a very solid 2nd TE who played a lot with the two TE sets, and effective backup for Owen Daniels. They've tried finding others in the draft and haven't been effective.
Here's what I think they'll look at, in order.
Offensive tackle - you wouldn't take a guard with the first pick, so I'll assume they look for a tackle early.
Wide Receiver (again) - it seems every year this position is on the list. The Texans inexplicably kept Jacoby Jones around, let's hope they don't feel that's enough.
Cornerback (again) - every year for this one too. Need someone (anyone) to keep Kareem Jackson from starting.
Guard - 4th round would be appropriate here, and should still be able to compete to start.
Linebacker - The Texans can use depth at both inside and outside linebacker.
Fullback - James Casey won't cut it as a full-time fullback.
Tight End - Kubiak loves drafting tight ends so I imagine we'll see one somewhere
Wide Receiver - I figure there'll be a couple WRs drafted, with one later to compete for a return job
Other possibilities -
Defensive tackle - at some point, the Texans will look for a proper 3-4 nose tackle.
Quarterback - Kubiak likes to draft a QB every year or two, but I'm not feeling it this year with the way T.J. Yates played last year
Defensive End - I've never thought Antonio Smith was a long-term play. They could look for another another young DE/OLB
Safety - I can't remember when the Texans have drafted a safety, so I doubt it will happen this year. It seems the smart play would be to draft cornerbacks and linebackers and drop them to safety if it doesn't work out.
IF he strayed from this at all, Houston would be a happy place. And with the talent base they have FINALLY built, its time for the to take some risks to get a playmaker. But I don't think they will, and my picks below reflect that.
Losses
Traded DeMeco Ryans
Free Agency Mario Williams
Released Eric Winston
Released Lawrence Vickers
Released Matt Leinart
Free Agency Mike Brisiel
Free Agency Jason Allen
Free Agency Joel Dreesen
Pick ups
Re-signed RB Arian Foster
Re-signed Chris Myers
Signed Quintin Demps
Signed Brady James
Re-Signed Tim Dobbins
The Texans had some major losses over the off-season, but I'm not concerned about the "big" one. Mario could have been a nice player, but the cost would have been too high. Even with the nice start to last season, he's always been more potential than production. Brooks Reed and Conner Barwin kept the pressure up in his absence. With Wade Phillips ability to find defensive talent, the Texans should be able to find some depth in the draft.
I'm afraid DeMeco Ryans will be quite missed. When he missed time in 2010, the defense fell apart. He called the plays and was captain of the team. What's truly sad is that even though he was hurt, he was playing the most physical football of his career. He was playing with a swagger and HITTING people. Now he'll be replaced with Brian Cushing who has struggled with the additional burden of play calling in the past or Tim Dobbins. Dobbins was with Phillips for a year in San Diego, maybe Wade knows something we don't.
Losing two-fifths of your offensive line is an issue. While none of the linemen were elite, they were obviously a great group together. Rashard Butler was a utility lineman, able to fill in anywhere, which is very beneficial, allowing the other lineman to continue playing their given positions.
The Texans lost their FB for a second straight year. They're getting risky with a very important offensive position to them. They also lost Joel Dreesen, a very solid 2nd TE who played a lot with the two TE sets, and effective backup for Owen Daniels. They've tried finding others in the draft and haven't been effective.
Here's what I think they'll look at, in order.
Offensive tackle - you wouldn't take a guard with the first pick, so I'll assume they look for a tackle early.
Wide Receiver (again) - it seems every year this position is on the list. The Texans inexplicably kept Jacoby Jones around, let's hope they don't feel that's enough.
Cornerback (again) - every year for this one too. Need someone (anyone) to keep Kareem Jackson from starting.
Guard - 4th round would be appropriate here, and should still be able to compete to start.
Linebacker - The Texans can use depth at both inside and outside linebacker.
Fullback - James Casey won't cut it as a full-time fullback.
Tight End - Kubiak loves drafting tight ends so I imagine we'll see one somewhere
Wide Receiver - I figure there'll be a couple WRs drafted, with one later to compete for a return job
Other possibilities -
Defensive tackle - at some point, the Texans will look for a proper 3-4 nose tackle.
Quarterback - Kubiak likes to draft a QB every year or two, but I'm not feeling it this year with the way T.J. Yates played last year
Defensive End - I've never thought Antonio Smith was a long-term play. They could look for another another young DE/OLB
Safety - I can't remember when the Texans have drafted a safety, so I doubt it will happen this year. It seems the smart play would be to draft cornerbacks and linebackers and drop them to safety if it doesn't work out.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Thoughts From the 2010 Regular Season Final Week
It's rumored that NFL 12 coaches will be replaced, but Gary Kubiak isn't one of them
How is this possible?
Arian Foster is good
Free advice for next year's fantasy drafts: pick this guy up. He's fun to watch. He finished the season with 2200 total yards. And if the Texans would commit to running the football, he could be really good.
The Bears played their starters the whole game against the Packers
When he was hired, Lovie Smith said his #1 goal was to beat the Packers. I like that a team wants to beat its rival and keep it out of the playoffs, but had anyone else heard of this big goal before today?
I love channelsurfing.net
Even though it probably isn't legal.
Brett Favre was kept out of his last game
I won't believe he's done until the next season starts. As in the first week of the real season - September 11, 2011.
NBC fixed its Sunday Night Football In America broadcast team
I like the pairing of Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison. They've got everything covered with those two analysts: coach, player, offense, defense, old school, new school, good guy, bad guy. It helps too that they were last active with the Colts and Patriots, two of the teams that are on SNF and were in the conversation all year. Hopefully, they complete the replacement of Peter King with Mike Florio next year...
Seattle loves its football team
The stadium was packed, everyone was into it until the very end. The Seahawks might not, but their fans deserve a home playoff game. It won't be easy for the Saints.
How is this possible?
Arian Foster is good
Free advice for next year's fantasy drafts: pick this guy up. He's fun to watch. He finished the season with 2200 total yards. And if the Texans would commit to running the football, he could be really good.
The Bears played their starters the whole game against the Packers
When he was hired, Lovie Smith said his #1 goal was to beat the Packers. I like that a team wants to beat its rival and keep it out of the playoffs, but had anyone else heard of this big goal before today?
I love channelsurfing.net
Even though it probably isn't legal.
Brett Favre was kept out of his last game
I won't believe he's done until the next season starts. As in the first week of the real season - September 11, 2011.
NBC fixed its Sunday Night Football In America broadcast team
I like the pairing of Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison. They've got everything covered with those two analysts: coach, player, offense, defense, old school, new school, good guy, bad guy. It helps too that they were last active with the Colts and Patriots, two of the teams that are on SNF and were in the conversation all year. Hopefully, they complete the replacement of Peter King with Mike Florio next year...
Seattle loves its football team
The stadium was packed, everyone was into it until the very end. The Seahawks might not, but their fans deserve a home playoff game. It won't be easy for the Saints.
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