TEXANS 2013 DRAFT REVIEW
(PICKS 1-9)
Written by: Craig Shelton
Texans take DeAndre Hopkins with the 27th
pick in 1st round:
I’m the first to admit I expected the Texans to trade
back Thursday night in round one of the 2013 NFL draft. I’ll also be the first
to admit I have no issue admitting I was dead WRONG! In fact, I was doubly
wrong in that I also predicted the Texans would move back into the second round
to gather additional picks in a bottom heavy draft class at the Texans team
position needs. Wrong again Craig! Yes, I could make a viable pro VS. con argument for
the Texans moving back that I’m sure many would support. The fact is in
drafting the 6-1 214 lbs junior out of Clemson, DeAndre Hopkins, the Texans executed
what was likely an intelligent move in an inexact science of NFL drafting at a coveted “skill” position.
DeAndre Hopkins in my view (if healthy) can at minimum
produce at a Kevin Walter level as a rookie, but has much more upside with his
youth going forward. Do NOT expect Hopkins to consistently threaten NFL defenses over the top,
instead expect good YAC production and Red Zone value with his body frame and
physical nature. Hopkins posses a strong set of hands and a strong
professional conviction I liken to that of a young Glover Quinn.
Safety D.J. Swearinger |
Texans take SC DB, D.J. Swearinger with
their 2nd round pick:
One day you folks may here me say I'm in full
#ManModeFootballLove with D.J. Swearinger. The following weekend after he's
fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit, you folks may see me go into full
#ManModeFootballBitchFitHateMood towards D.J. Swearinger.
The Texans did great taking Swearinger in a guy who can do what Glover Quinn did high and low in coverage and in the box. He'll cover larger Hbacks and TEs pretty well for a 5-10, but very "game" and physical, free-and-strong defender from the Safety position.
The Texans did great taking Swearinger in a guy who can do what Glover Quinn did high and low in coverage and in the box. He'll cover larger Hbacks and TEs pretty well for a 5-10, but very "game" and physical, free-and-strong defender from the Safety position.
The answer is yes
to what your thinking in D.J. Swearinger is similar to former Texan Bernard Pollard, but I'd say Swearinger definitely is a much more versatile defender in coverage.
Coaches, and you Texans fans alike, will love Swearinger’s intangibles in that he has a great work ethic reportedly. He
studies well and quarterbacks the secondary come game time in a classic manner for a Safety.
Good grab for Wade’s defense at a position of need.
I do expect the
Texans to grab a more traditional Free Safety in the 2014 draft to set up for
life after Ed Reed and D. Manning.
OT Brennan Williams |
Texans
Draft T Brennan Williams:
My view on the Brennan Williams pick is
he's a glorified supped up version of what Derrick Newton is
"projected" to be. I like the pop he posses at the point of contact,
and overall strength. What concerns me initially
with the Brennan pick is if he were to be forced to play in 2013, taking into consideration his struggles inside in pass blocking at times. That possibility is somewhat perplexing to me if the Texans find themselves with the undersized Ben Jones, who’s a natural
Center, spending more reps at RG, than the ideally sized Brandon Brooks does. I don’t
like the possibility of a young tackle who is not solid in protecting inside pass-rush moves as a rookie, giving ground next to Ben Jones, who would already have his
hands full in pass protection.
What I do love is Brennan’s ability at the 2nd and 3rd level to
key in on assigned defenders quickly in run blocking schemes. That's a
promising attribute in my view, whereas I'm really happy about the Brennan pick
overall.
I'm a firm believer in that a rookie that must do at least one thing well or at minimum in a serviceable
manner, either in run or pass blocking situations, to be expected to have a
relevant amount of success on a Playoff caliber NFL team.
Now, what about LG? Wade Smith was BAD last season and his Pro Bowl selection was a J.O.K.E.
in my view.
OLB/DE Sam Montgomery |
Texans
take Sam Montgomery (OLB/DE-LSU) with supplemental pick:
Let me say right off top about the Sam Montgomery pick, Montgomery is another
high motor edition to Wade Phillips’ defense. Montgomery is a bit under
sized at 6-3 262 lbs, but he's aggressive and attacks bigger offensive linemen with notable aggression That said, Montgomery attacks those bigger-stronger
offensive linemen with a limited repertoire of elite
level pass rush moves. To his credit, Montgomery does play with good pad level in the run game in particular and is solid
against the run overall. Montgomery's good motor and raw speed makes him really good in run pursuit
on plays going away from him.
What ever attributes
Montgomery lacks in pass rush moves, he supplements well with good
speed and lateral movement in trash or along the defensive line. Montgomery definitely has a bit of a mean streak too I'm sure Brian
Cushing, JJ Watt, Antino Smith, and Ed Reed will appreciate.
DE Trevardo Williams |
Texans take senior DE Trevardo Williams out of Connecticut :
The first thing
you notice about Trevardo Williams is he’s undersized at 6-1 241 lbs. He has
short arms as many of the smaller quicker defensive linemen tend to have, but
he's blessed with elite speed for his position. Williams raw speed gives
offensive linemen trouble as an edge rusher, but he doesn't bend the edge as
well as you may anticipate a player with Williams’ speed to do. I believe this
is a coachable area Williams should improve in with his work ethic.
Williams is
stronger than he appears and plays with a low base. So when you combine Williams speed advantage with his low center of gravity, together they greatly impact his power. Don't be confused, Williams definitely has to win
the quickness battle in the NFL to have success. He won't overpower NFL interior
linemen and tight ends consistently regardless of his initial pop.
Wade Phillips should appreciate Williams disciplined history in run defense as far as gap responsibility,
as well as being adequate tackling in space, aided his good feet.
Overall all I'd
say Trevardo Williams is a better fit in the 3-4 scheme than Sam Montgomery
when you add to the equation Williams' potential as a pass defender. By no
means is Williams a finished product or a viable option today as a pass
defender, but he has the tools necessary athletically to develop, whereas I
don't see Sam Montgomery ever defending well as a 3-4 Will or SAM OLB.
A healthy Trevardo
Williams should at minimum contribute on Special Teams right away
OT David Quessenberry |
Texans make OT David Quessenberry from San Jose St. their first of 4 picks in the 6th round:
It’s quite possible the Texans interest in the 6-4, 302 lb
tackle David Quessenberry may have began peaking at the Senior Bowl where he
showed off his diversity in the ability to move inside to the guard position. Most
viewed Quessenberry as a 3rd to 4th round pick so the
Texans grabbing him in the 6th round as the 176th overall
pick is widely viewed as a steal.
It will be interesting to see how the Texans use Quessenberry,
rather or not they see him a better fit inside perhaps at right tackle. At 302
lbs Quessenberry’s body type may not have much room for putting on weight to
better support a move inside, but in
today’s NFL of leaner more athletic offensive linemen, 302 lbs is definitely doable
at offensive guard. It’s been noted that Quessenberry may have put on as much as 65 lbs
while at
Quessenberry has quick feet but will struggle some as far as
timely extension of his arms when matched up with edge rushers. Quessenberry in
my view is a better option as a guy who can spell in a pinch short-term at
tackle, do to his level of comfort outside and his over compensation in setting
up. Quessenberry should be a natural fit in the Texans zone blocking scheme,
but like many young offensive linemen, his focus on pad level will be critical
early.
The Texans may have done their best work in drafting David
Quessenberry with the 176th pick overall, as it’s clear the Texans
value building from the inside out.
WR Alan Bonner |
Texans make WR Alan Bonner from Jacksonville State their second of
four picks in the 6th round:
There was no lack of
conversation with Texans fans, media and the Texans themselves regarding the
team’s needs at the WR position, so Alan Bonner made sense here for the Texans
with the 195th pick.
Bonner is an undersized possession receiver at
5-10, 193 lbs who will best fit inside in the slot. Bonner will not be a guy
who stretches the field consistently, as he does not have elite top end, or
over the top speed. What Bonner does
have are attributes that may remind you of former Texan David Anderson , in how he does the little things well.
Like Anderson , Bonner is a smart kid in football terms and
tough as well. Bonner was pretty healthy throughout his college career at Jacksonville St . He’s more of a crafty athlete than an explosive
athlete.. He excels at good route running, and his hands rated out very
good. What I personally love is he catches the ball away from his body. This is
not a guy who catches everything up against his body as Jacolby Jones did,
which drove me insane at times.
DT Christopher Jones |
Texans make DT Christopher Jones from Bowling
Green their third of four picks in the 6th
round:
In
drafting Christopher Jones, DT, out of Bowling Green with the 198th pick, that should put to
sleep any notion Wade Phillips or the Texans at large place value on larger-bulkier
defensive tackles. With the undersized Earl Mitchell already on the roster, The
Texans take another undersized D-tackle in the 6-1, 302 lbs Jones.
Jones
did not grade out well in terms of speed and quickness, but he plays at a
higher speed than his athletic gifts would appear to allow. Jones is a fighter
and classic overachiever who supplements his weaknesses with tenacity and toughness. Jones has close to JJ Watt tenacity, but far from JJ Watt
ability, but will give coaches maximum effort. JONES WILL NOT BACK DOWN!
Jones will get knocked round on the line
of scrimmage whos better technique wise with his hands than you may expect in
pass rushing scenarios. He’s not as natural with his hands in run defense, but
that can be coached up.
You can expect to hear of a couple fights in Texans training camp with
Christopher Jones cast in the role of the antagonist.
TE RYAN GRIFFIN |
Texans make TE Ryan Griffin from Connecticut their forth of
four picks in the 6th round:
Ryan
Griffin is a good looking athlete on paper (6-5, 247 lbs) and in literal terms
as well, but “good” is where it stops for me personally. Griffin is not the elite athletic talent you see in many of
the 6-5 to 6-6 tight end monsters NFL teams are incorporating into their offensive
schemes as feature components these days. Griffin will do most of his damage in the passing game
working the seams in the intermediate range primarily. What I would not expect
from Griffin is high production in the YAC category stat wise.
With
Ryan Griffin’s body type and pass catch radios, I trust Gary Kubiak to get some
relative level of production per Griffin ’s 201st selection.
@CraigSheltonHMW
3 comments:
Your caption under DJ Swearinger is wrong. He is from South Carolina and not North Carolina.
Thanks Joe for the catch. Corrected, thanks for reading. #HMW
Ok Griffin is the new defensive end prospect...lol..maybe he should have made that transition in college..oh wait... maybe he is Jarrett Jack in pads..straight up sleeper...so I guess the Texans avoid the big wide body in the middle because they figure that kind of a guy is a one trick pony..even before the son of bum rode in a that blonde horse they have used small guys....J.J does not fit that description thank goodness...I always wanted them to have a bulldozer coming off the bench to push up the middle..oh well...it ain't my circus..on paper though the draft does look good...
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