Texans on the clock - CLOSED - OLB Brian Cushing (1 Viewer)

[Faust]

1. Detroit Lions - QB Matt Stafford - 64%

2. St. Louis Rams - OT Jason Smith - 65%

3. KC Chiefs - OLB Aaron Curry - 44%

4. Seattle Seahawks - OT Eugene Monroe - 65%

5. Cleveland Browns - WR Michael Crabtree - 57%

6. Cincinnati Bengals - OT Andre Smith - 36.5%

7. Oakland Raiders - DT B.J. Raji - 32%

8. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Jeremy Maclin - 40%

9. Green Bay Packers - DE/LB Brian Orakpo - 40%

10. San Francisco 49ers - QB Mark Sanchez - 60%

11. Buffalo Bills - OT Michael Oher - 64%

12. Denver Broncos - DE Tyson Jackson - 49%

13. Washington Redskins - DE Robert Ayers - 25%

14. New Orleans Saints - CB Malcolm Jenkins - 42%

Texans needs as per NFL.com

CB, DL, WR, LB, RB

Needs Analysis: The Texans need to upgrade at cornerback and defensive tackle early in the draft. They might be tempted early to take a running back to complement Steve Slaton, but Texans assistant head coach/offense Alex Gibbs rarely wants to do that with such a valuable pick.

 

[FUBAR]

OLB Brian Cushing [ 3 ] [100.00%]

 

[rock753]

A serious dose of WR for pick 17 is needed.

 

[ExaltedOne]

If they stay put, Cushing or Matthews seem to be the best options. They really need an outside linebacker.

I went with Cushing because he seems to fit what they do, but I'm surprised at 0 votes for Matthews. They don't really have a great pass-rusher opposite Mario, and Matthews could put his hand on the ground for third-down situations.

On the other hand, Cushing has the best cover ability of any linebacker in the draft, so it's probably a wash.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

If they stay put, Cushing or Matthews seem to be the best options. They really need an outside linebacker. I went with Cushing because he seems to fit what they do, but I'm surprised at 0 votes for Matthews. They don't really have a great pass-rusher opposite Mario, and Matthews could put his hand on the ground for third-down situations.On the other hand, Cushing has the best cover ability of any linebacker in the draft, so it's probably a wash.

Do they really need an OLB that badly? Zach Diles played well before his injury. They also have Adibi and June. They have a much bigger need at DT, S, and CB in my opinion.

 

[RBM]

Put Everette Brown on the opposite side of Williams and that is dangerous

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Put Everette Brown on the opposite side of Williams and that is dangerous

They just paid big money to Antonio Smith to play left end.

 

[Houston turmOiler]

If they stay put, Cushing or Matthews seem to be the best options. They really need an outside linebacker. I went with Cushing because he seems to fit what they do, but I'm surprised at 0 votes for Matthews. They don't really have a great pass-rusher opposite Mario, and Matthews could put his hand on the ground for third-down situations.On the other hand, Cushing has the best cover ability of any linebacker in the draft, so it's probably a wash.

Do they really need an OLB that badly? Zach Diles played well before his injury. They also have Adibi and June. They have a much bigger need at DT, S, and CB in my opinion.

I agree. I'd rather see Peria Jerry than one of these OLBs unless we trade down. I think the reason the Texans are rumored to be interested in a guy like Clay Matthews is that he can slide down to end on passing downs, and then Antonio Smith could bump inside to tackle. I wouldn't have a problem with that but I believe Matthews only had 5.5 sacks in his college career. I'd like to get a guy who was more productive than that. If that's what the Texans are thinking then I'd rather draft Aaron Maybin and see if he can make the transition to OLB. If he can't he still looks like a better pass-rusher than Matthews. Adibi and June are supposed to be pretty decent cover LBs so they might be looking for someone with a little bit different skill set than Cushing, even though he's probably the best OLB in this bunch. From what I've seen of Jerry I've been pretty impressed, and drafting him would allow Amobi Okoye to come off the bench (some feel he gets worn down too easily as a starter). We'd suddenly have a lot of depth up front and look to have a pretty solid rotation, and there looks to be great value at the safety position in round 2. Then we've got 3 picks in the next 2 rounds to get another body at OLB, a big RB, and either an undersized pass-rusher or an interior OG/C type. Personally I feel like we've got enough bodies at CB as long as we improve the play up front. If Jenkins is available then I think we probably grab him, but it doesn't matter who's playing CB if Mario Williams is the only guy who can get pressure up front.

 

[Stewy]

Put Everette Brown on the opposite side of Williams and that is dangerous

They just paid big money to Antonio Smith to play left end.

Smith will be moving inside in passing situations. The 15th spot is really a bad spot for the Texans - especially is Jenkins doesn't make it past NO.You could make a legitimate case for E. Brown, K. Moreno, C. Matthews, B. Cushing, P. Jerry, and even R. Maulauga here. Hell, you could make a damned good case for taking Pettigrew here. Truth be told, I'd put good money on Slaton not holding up over a full season and Moreno is a fantastic fit for the Texans' ZBS. Despite the needs on defense it'd be real tough for me to pass up on Moreno.I voted for Cushing because Zach Diles in a MLB stuck at SLB because there's no one better to play the position. He played a good season last year, but there's a definite need to upgrade. Matthews could go there too, but I'll take Cushing's proven track record over Matthew's potential. You could also take ReyRey here and move DeMeco outside, though I doubt that happens.The idealist in me would take Moreno at this spot because he's the BPA at a position of need, but the pragmatist in me would take Cushing because he's the best value given the RB available in the 2-4 rounds.

 

[GregR_2]

I'm torn between Cushing, Maybin, Brown, and Jerry. Brown or Maybin could move Smith inside and get Travis Johnson out of the starting rotation, which is a plus. Otherwise, Jerry could replace Travis and keep Antonio Smith outside. I do think an upgrade is needed over Adibi and June, but I'm hesitant to pass up a shot at a good pass rushing DE. Hrm...

 

[bcr8f]

A serious dose of WR for pick 17 is needed.

No not in the first. They have to go defense.

 

[massraider]

I'm torn between Cushing, Maybin, Brown, and Jerry. Brown or Maybin could move Smith inside and get Travis Johnson out of the starting rotation, which is a plus. Otherwise, Jerry could replace Travis and keep Antonio Smith outside. I do think an upgrade is needed over Adibi and June, but I'm hesitant to pass up a shot at a good pass rushing DE. Hrm...

This is one of those spots where people haven't talked much about. People tend to insert their favorite USC LB and move on. I don't really have an idea what way they are thinking, aside from defense. I kinda wonder if a guy like Peria Jerry wouldn't get some consideration. He may be too much like Okoye, but not every 4-3 team tries to put a 320-lb masher next to their 3-tech. Okoye and Jerry would be a real active middle of the line. I guess I'd say Cushing, because that is where most mocks say, but really, these mocks are just guessing anyway.

 

[Cookiemonster]

A serious dose of WR for pick 17 is needed.

No not in the first. They have to go defense.

I really like the idea of a WR for Houston, but this is the 15th pick. He's looking for more options for the next two picks.

 

[Buckna]

I would put good money on Houston trading down.

 

[coolnerd]

While I have no backroom or insider information on this, my feeling is that they are locked and loaded on some guy who is not an USC LBer. In the Kubiak era they have not done what the majority think is the obvious move, so I have no belief that they will do it this year. The constant hints that I have heard is that they may be willing to move up if Curry drops within reason or move down with any semi-reasonable offer.

 

[GregR_2]

I'm torn between Cushing, Maybin, Brown, and Jerry. Brown or Maybin could move Smith inside and get Travis Johnson out of the starting rotation, which is a plus. Otherwise, Jerry could replace Travis and keep Antonio Smith outside. I do think an upgrade is needed over Adibi and June, but I'm hesitant to pass up a shot at a good pass rushing DE. Hrm...

This is one of those spots where people haven't talked much about. People tend to insert their favorite USC LB and move on. I don't really have an idea what way they are thinking, aside from defense. I kinda wonder if a guy like Peria Jerry wouldn't get some consideration. He may be too much like Okoye, but not every 4-3 team tries to put a 320-lb masher next to their 3-tech. Okoye and Jerry would be a real active middle of the line. I guess I'd say Cushing, because that is where most mocks say, but really, these mocks are just guessing anyway.

There was a Q&A with the new Defensive Coordinator, and he was asked whether he likes a huge run clogging defensive tackle, or a smaller one who will get up field. He said he prefers someone who will get up the field, so I wouldn't expect them to be looking for a monster DT.Though, I think they are probably better off in flexibility if they go with a DE there and just move Antonio Smith inside if the DE pans out. I don't know though. Really, I'm hoping Jenkins falls to the Texans.

 

[massraider]

I'm torn between Cushing, Maybin, Brown, and Jerry. Brown or Maybin could move Smith inside and get Travis Johnson out of the starting rotation, which is a plus. Otherwise, Jerry could replace Travis and keep Antonio Smith outside. I do think an upgrade is needed over Adibi and June, but I'm hesitant to pass up a shot at a good pass rushing DE. Hrm...

This is one of those spots where people haven't talked much about. People tend to insert their favorite USC LB and move on. I don't really have an idea what way they are thinking, aside from defense. I kinda wonder if a guy like Peria Jerry wouldn't get some consideration. He may be too much like Okoye, but not every 4-3 team tries to put a 320-lb masher next to their 3-tech. Okoye and Jerry would be a real active middle of the line. I guess I'd say Cushing, because that is where most mocks say, but really, these mocks are just guessing anyway.

There was a Q&A with the new Defensive Coordinator, and he was asked whether he likes a huge run clogging defensive tackle, or a smaller one who will get up field. He said he prefers someone who will get up the field, so I wouldn't expect them to be looking for a monster DT.Though, I think they are probably better off in flexibility if they go with a DE there and just move Antonio Smith inside if the DE pans out. I don't know though. Really, I'm hoping Jenkins falls to the Texans.

Nice, thanks for the info.

 

[Faust]

With the fifteenth pick in the FBG consensus draft, the Houston Texans select OLB Brian Cushing