Talk about teams whose drafts you thought were underrated For me its: The Houston Texans I think the Texans had one of the best drafts in the league. The Texans filled all of their biggest needs in this draft and then some... As all of us Jets fans know, switching to a 3-4 defense from a 4-3 defense is extremely difficult to do in one off-season. The Texans had some huge holes to fill in order to make a smooth transition and they picked up some huge pieces in order to upgrade this defense. Round 1 JJ Watt One of the most important pieces to having a Great 3-4 defense is having great DE's to clog the running lanes and make it easier for the OLB's to get to the quarterback. JJ Watt was arguably the best 3-4 DE in the draft and he will be a great player on the Texans. Antonio Smith, Watt, and Omobi Okoye (Although short for the position) I think will be 3 Great DEs for this team. If they can manage to sign a NT in Free agency, maybe a Kris Jenkins or Shaun Rogers, this line will be set and ready to stop many O Lines from reaching the LBs. Round 2 Brooks Reed An OLB who many Jets Fans coveted, the Texans were able to pick him up with the 42nd pick in the draft. Reed is as a good value at this pick and fills a pressing need in the Texans new defense. The Texans were really looking for a bookend rush OLB to go with Mario Williams and although they weren't able to grab Aldon Smith, getting the combo of Watt and Reed will probably in the end work out better for them. Getting Reed in my opinion really solidified this teams Linebacking corps and as long as all the players can transfer into the 3-4 defense smoothly and stay healthy (Demeco Ryans... cough cough...) I honestly think this could be one of the best linebacking corps in the league. Having Cushing and Ryans as your two middle linebackers is going to be fun to watch and expect 2nd year player Daryl Sharpton (from the U) to contribute some too on passing plays. Round 2 pick 28 Brandon Harris The Texans need a cornerback badly and picking up Harris this late was a steal in my opinion. I saw him going in the early to mid 2nd round. Harris is just an extremely gifted athlete and I think he will really help out this team's secondary which is one of their weak points. I really just loved the Texans draft because with their first three picks they were able to fill huge needs but didn't reach on any players (some of the time they even got some great value) and I also like how they drafted another cb with their 4th pick in the draft. Its going to be rough with having a new defensive scheme but if the lockout ends soon (big if, I know) and these players can translate into the 3-4 defense (which I do not think should be a problem, As many of their players have played in the 3-4 already) look for this defense to be one of the best in the league. I know that their secondary situation isn't great, but Bernard Pollard is a extremely underrated safety and I think that with an upgraded pass rush and Brandon Harris this teams pass defense will definitely get alot better. If the Texans can manage to pick up a Veteran Nose Tackle and Maybe a Cb or Centerfielding Free Safety I think this defense can be top 10 in the league. ****Player to look out for: Connor Barwin Barwin was a player that many Jets were interested in when he came out in 2009. Barwin always seemed like a better fit in the NFL as a 3-4 OLB then a 4-3 DE and I think Barwin will get some big minutes this year as everyone is learning to transition to the 3-4 defense. LE Antonio Smith Amobi Okoye NT Amobi Okoye (Could be Wade's new Jay Ratliff, but look for a FA addition) RE JJ Watt Amobi Okoye LOLB Brooks Reed Connor Barwin MLB Demeco Ryans Daryl Sharpton MLB Brian Cushing Daryl Sharpton ROLB Mario Williams Connor Barwin CB Glover Quinn CB Brandon Harris Nickel Jason Allen Rashad Carmichael FS Eugene Wilson SS Bernard Pollard
Are you relegating Kareem Jackson to 5th CB? He wasn't good at all his rookie season, but there's no reason he drops that far. The entire secondary was horrible, pretty much every starter gave up at least 5 TDs. And Quin may move into the FS spot with the drafting of Harris and Wilson isn't apart of the team anymore...
To be honest I do not know enough about which Texans CB sucks less to be starting right now, lol. I just forgot to put him up there/didn't think it really mattered too much. (I think its up in the air if all of them will still be on the team, FA obv still hasn't opened yet). I was focusing more on the front seven analysis.
The Texans absolutely filled a lot of needs, but most of these players are going to need time. J.J Watt will need to learn to play 2 gap techniques, which is going to take time. I like the corners they picked up, a lot of good value where they selected them. Harris is the boom or bust prospect, whereas Carmichael is more of the safe selection and likely will cap out as a nickel back. One of them is going to need to start this year for the abysmal Texans' secondary, which does not bode well for Wade Phillips' defense. I really like the Brooks Reed pick. You really need a Sam linebacker that can set the edge in the 3-4, and it's a mistake to put all your eggs in one basket (Barwin) when doing that. Reed and Barwin will battle for playing time, but at the end of the day they both with likely split the duties there. I don't see Akoye playing NT, even in a Jay Ratliff type role. The Texans were in a tough spot at NT. Very rarely can you draft a player a plug him in immediately at nose guard, so instead they drafted players that could contribute. Now they have to go find one in free agency, and the available prospects are very limited. I actually project them going after Cullen Jenkins and asking him to play nose-- which may or may work. Overall, they got a solid foundation for their transition to the 3-4. They will struggle at times though, and a few of the games could get ugly-- but this is a defense that will only get better as the year goes on.
I think the Ravens had an awesome draft but yeah the Texans one was sick too. Adding Harris and Carmichael (BTW pissed we didn't select him instead of Powell, we must have a lot of confidence that our DBs are coming back) will solidify their back end, and all the rushers they got will help too. I think they'll be in the market for Aubrayo Franklin... they need a NT bad.
i thought the browns had an excellent draft. #1 phil taylor dt a beast of a DT and adds a great duo with Ahtyba Rubin #2 Jaabal sheard de i know a lot of us jet fans wanted this guy... nasty pass rusher #3 Greg Little wr i like this guys potential alot #4 Jordan Cameron TE a big, fast red zone target #5 Owen Marecic FB a Bruiser to replace Vickers #6 Buster Skrine CB very fast corner, could be good player at least good depth # 7 Jason Pinkston OT good value pick, and i think could play both tackle and guard #8 Eric Hagg S help at saftey
You are confusing a regular 34 DE with a Phillip's 34 DE, he doesn't control 2 gaps, he controls and penetrates 1.
Not true. Phillips runs a largely 1 gap 3-4 defense, but he does not exclusively play odd numbered techniques in his front 7. Strong side DE is responsible for 1 gap and penetrating, weak side often plays a 4 technique and holds the line (a la Luis Castillo).
Watt will be playing the strong side so it shouldn't matter. I actually thought he was a shaky fit for most 34s because he likes to commit to gaps and get after the QB so much, but he fits perfectly for Houston.
I love the first 5 rounds in this draft. I don't know if getting Phil Taylor that high was a reach but we will see how he pans out. I am extremely intrigued as to how Greg Little is going to pan out as well as Jordan Cameron at TE. I am also curious as to how they are going to use Marecic. He isn't the best player in the world but he loves to play the game. They did a good job at 6 and 8 as well to fill some holes
funny you brought this up the Texans were one of my fav drafts too. Watt and Reed to go with Williams, Cushing, Ryans (if he can stay healthy) will mean alot for their new d. Wade Philips will be back doing what hes great at, not being the HC and the Texans might actually see the playoffs after all the years of Schaub putting up numbers for no reason. they still get smacked around in their division and that needs to change though.
You guys are amazing.how do you know all this stuff about College and oher teams. I consider myself hardcoe NFL, but personnel levels on other teams, needs, drafts, forget it. And to take the trme to type it up, very impressive, nice job. Of couse its all bullshit, just like Kiper and the other a-holes. College kids don't always play good in the NFL and some coaching staff are better then others and its always about the system. And id they don't settle until August, the off season is a wash and the rookies an second year players are gonna be useless and a waste of money since thet won't have one one one training. Look at Matt Slauson, without an off season of Callahan, forget it. Same goes for Ducasse and Wilson this year, Its gonna be a mess so basicaly your wonderful analysis is waste of time and but I am still impressed.
It seems like MG predicted Quinn will be moving to FS. If the Texans can pick up a top cornerback this defense will be fun to watch. Hate to toot my own horn but Gotta love when a reporter/head coach backs up your prediction.
Bump to Gloat about my prediction. Texans are a top 10 defense like I predicted and Connor Barwin is having a breakout season with 8.5 sacks. Call me Nostradamus or Bill Parcells, either works for me
