The TEXANS have a been somewhat of a roller coaster team the past few years and much of the issue has been at the QB position. But I’m not convinced that is an emphasis in their current Draft plans. Replacing older & departed players might be a bigger concern, along with finding more help up front for All-WoRLD JJ WATT.
Round 1, Pick 16 MALCOM BROWN/DT/TEXAS/6’2/319 GBN Rank: 18
Just the big body athlete that they need to bolster their 3-man DL unit. He can play inside or out, and my guess is they will indeed move him around. He will also be valuable when the team drops into 2-man DL sets. Having a local Longhorn player won’t hurt with their fan base either.
Round 2, Pick 51 TEVIN COLEMAN/RB/INDIANA/5’11/206 GBN Rank: 51
This guy rushing for over 2,000-yards in 2014 behind a mediocre OL and with a 5th string QB was nothing short of amazing. He would give the team an option to split carries with ARIAN FOSTER who has been dinged up a lot during his fine career. He’s not a speedster, and yet he had more than his share of long runs last season. Like FOSTER, quick change of direction is a key aspect of his running style. Looks to also be able to hold his own in the passing game.
Round 3, PIck 82 LAKEN TOMLINSON/OG/DUKE/6’3/323 GBN Rank: 85
Their OL is adequate but could stand a talent upgrade. And it os also a bit thin. LAKEN is a physical player, who also is a very smart guy. Has played in a pro style Offense under the venerable DAVID CUTCLIFFE. Showed very well in the Senior Bowl venue. Was one of the few guys to hold his own against DANNY SHELTON during blocking drills that week.
Round 4, Pick 116 ANTWAN GOODLEY/WR/BAYLOR/5’10/210 GBN Rank: 116
He adds the run after catch dimension to a WR group that is suddenly without ANDRE JOHNSON. GOODLEY is built like a RB and looks like one in the open field after the catch. Very strong with the ball in his hands. Will need to tighten up his route running for HC Bill O’Brien. May also need to show more want-to as a blocker downfield. With better work habits and concentration he could become one of their top 3 WR.
sub-packages
Round 5, Pick 152 CHRIS HACKETT/S/TCU/6’0/195 GBN Rank: 158
A solid athlete, with good college productivity. Has good ball instincts. His numbers in 2014 were 75 tackles and 7 INT. With better speed (4.78/40) he’d be a Top 100 player, but he covers up his shortcomings nicely most of the time. Seems to have a nose for the ball whether in the air or on the ground. Not going to do much in-the-box at his size and body frame. Special Teams and sub-packages are likely his initial niche in the League.
Round 5, Pick 174 MARCUS HARDISON/DE/ARIZONA STATE/6’3/307 GBN Rank: 176
This guy will never be around in Round 5 as his stock has been rising since the Senior Bowl. He’s not a flashy player but is strong with good athleticism. In my eyes 5-technique was made for guys of his size and skill set. Another player who has been making waves since the Senior Bowl. This would be a home run pick for them, but i doubt they’ll ever get a sniff of him in Round 5.
Round 6, Pick 184 CHAZ GREEN/OT/FLORIDA/6’5/314 GBN Rank: 186
Opinions vary greatly on this guy’s pro potential. Clearly has the athleticism to play the pro game, but must add strength and conditioning dedication to his tool chest. Likely to land on the practice Squad for a year while he transitions himself into a warrior for the NFL playing field. Does have legit upside if he wants to dedicate himself to his craft.
Round 6, Pick 211 NICK BOYLE/TE/DELAWARE/6’5/268 GBN Rank: 212
Small school guy who loves football and has the athleticism to play at the next level. Showed very good hands and the ability to gain yards after the catch at Senior Bowl. Very solid as an inline blocker. Looks like the kind of guy who could be quite an asset in Red Zone situations.
Round 6, PIck 216 IMOAN CLAIBORNE/CB/NW LOUISIANA/5’9/189 GBN Rank: 216
Has solid sub-packages skills and potential as a pro. Too small to be expected to start. Shows some feistiness when battling with receivers. Could be a slot-Corner if his quickness is good enough to offset his lack of elite speed. This is a solid risk/reward pick in Round 6.
Round 7, Pick 235 BLAKE SIMS/QB/RB/ALABAMA/5’11/218 GBN Rank: 235
This guy is too tempting to pass up at the end of the Draft. he has a chance to sill in at several positions, and that includes QB. He’ll have that Russell Wilson intrigue about him. What would captivate O’BRIEN the most was what the kid did as a senior, when he finally got his chance to run that Alabama offense. He could represent a 3rd string QB who also plays Special Teams and RB in his spare time.
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EAGLES
ROUND 1, Pick 20 ERECK FLOWERS/OT/MIAMI/66’/329 GBN Rank: 21
Has ideal size for the NFL, and he’s not full grown yet. Will need to control his weight going forward so he can take advantage of his good weight. Brings a lot of nasty to his blocking. FLOWERS would pair quite well with LT/LANE JOHNSON. A move to RT as a pro could hasten his readiness to start and give CHIP 2 top OT to block for that new guy named MURRAY. Can improve his pass pro, but will not be a liability at RT.
Round 2, Pick 52 ERIC KENDRICKS/ILB/UCLA/6’0/232 GBN Rank: 54
Not trying to be cute here, but teaming him with his brother Mychal would be fascinating to watch. He’s not the NFL prototype in size, but he gets to the football all the time. He piled up 146 tackles in 13 starts for the Bruins last season. He also had 3 INT, so it might be assumed he has the ball skills to stay on the field for 3 downs. Slips blocks well with agility and hand usage. Good football instincts.
Round 3, Pick 84 JOSH HARPER/WR/FRESNO STATE/6’1/191 GBN Rank: 85
With a bad QB situation at Fresno last fall this guy still caught 90 passes. Not a speedster, but has excellent quickness, which is often a prized asset in KELLY’s Offensive system. Has soft hands and can catch in a crowd. Will catch the tough throws and gain yardage after the catch. Needs work on blocking downfield and tightening up his pattern running.
Round 4, Pick 113 Za’DARIUS SMITH/DE/KENTUCKY/6’5/275 GBN Rank:114
May need to add a few pounds for a pro 5-technique position, but he is already stout against the run and has some edge quickness to pressure the pocket. Uses his hands well to shed blockers, but his arm length restricts him in the pass rush. I like his relentless motor and high energy. Makes some plays purely based on hustle and desire. Coaches will appreciate his urgency and effort.
Round 5, Pick 145 STEVEN NESLON/CB/OREGON STATE/5’10/197 GBN Rank: 146
Don’t call him small. He’s a bit short but he doesn’t play like it. Has decent speed (4.49) but even better quickness. He never gives up on a play. He looks to be giving too much cushion, but once the ball is in the air he attacks it. CHARLES DAVIS of NFLN nicknamed him Mighty Mouse at the Senior Bowl. He has starting potential, and should see the field early on at least as a slot Corner.
Round 5, Pick 156 SEAN HICKEY/OG/SYRACUSE/6’5/309 GBN Rank: 156
Solid starting OT in college with 38 career starts. Very good overall athlete. Arms are a bit short for NFL ideal outside. With a little extra weight-room work he can add functional strength and eventually start at OG. COuld have immediate value as a 4 position back-up on game day when rosters shrink.
Round 6, Pick 195 LETERRIUS WALTON/DL/CENTRAL MICHIGAN/6’5/319 GBN Rank: 204
Caught my eye at the Shrine venue with his size, length and athleticism for a big guy. For the EAGLES scheme he has 5-Technique written all over him. WALTON has some initial quickness to shoot gaps and the strength to battle OL. He could even carry more weight if needed, but my guess is that he will work on strength rather than bulk for their scheme. Very good upside in this guy.
Round 7, Pick 237 SAMUEL CARTER/S/TCU/6’0/216 GBN Rank: 239
Was invited to Shrine venue and got attention from day one as the QB for the West D. Handled all coverages and alignments. A coach on the field. Moves well and finds the football. PLays the ball very well in the air but has coverage issues. Also needs to tighten up his tackling technique. Had 4 INT and 55 tackles as a senior.
Since running the whole personnel show is new for HC CHIP KELLY, trying to make these picks with an understanding of what he’s looking for is a bit of a challenge. So please understand that I am going off of my player evaluations and the team’s schemes in trying to project selections this time around. Also notice I resisted assigning them Oregon players for now.
