By now your early first round favorites are starting to fall into place. With the Combine wrapping up this week, our wishlists will start to solidify, and then we’re in for two months of repeated arguing (and agreeing) with each other. It’s what we do.
BUT WHAT OF THE SECOND ROUND!?!?!
I’ll kick off some discussion by hitting on two of my early favorites, then I’ll list a few more that I want to learn more about:
Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA
There are no safeties in this draft worth a pick at number 11, and really not even anywhere in the first round. In the unlikely event that Moore makes it around to the Texans’ pick at 42, you’d think they would sprint to the podium with the pick. Moore dropped off a bit in his junior season, but has shown himself to be a solid cover corner who plays with aggression against the run. He’s known to have good instincts and at least one site actually used the the words “classic ballhawk” do describe him.
Chances he makes it to Texans’ pick at 42: Not likely.
Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
Paea isn’t going through the full battery of “tests” at the NFL Combine because of a knee injury, but he did get a chance to show what he could do on the bench press. The result? A Combine record 49 reps of 225 pounds. Ridiculous. Does it mean he can play? Of course not, but this is not a guy making his reputation based solely on his lifting strength. Paea was a destructive force at Oregon State, and figures to be a key piece at the next level. A couple of pundits have said he’s a 4-3 tackle only, and he’s not much of a pass-rusher – but if you need a guy who can tie up multiple blockers, you can do a lot worse than Paea.
Chances he makes it to Texans’ pick at 42: I would have guessed “not likely but fathomable” prior to his bench press performance at the Combine, but because teams do tend to be wowed by impressive Combine performances, I’m going to guess “not likely at all.”
Others I’m curious about, but want to learn more (and all or most probably won’t be there):
Texas CB Aaron Williams
Miami CB Brandon Harris
Oklahoma FS Quinton Carter
Baylor DT Phil Taylor
More on the 2nd round later in the week. I’ll also share my “official” first round favorites, now that we’re about to be post-NFL Combine.
Feb 28, 2011 at 00:08:31
Of that list I would be happiest with Quinton Carter. I know Rahim Moore is a good safety but I have Carter as a little bit better but if neither is available then Brandon Harris. If they can get Aldon Smith and Quinton Carter in the 1st 2 rounds that will be a great draft, a good DT in the 3rd.
Feb 28, 2011 at 06:24:02
You figure at least two of these guys will fall through the cracks. One thing is that some of the teams in front of you (Cowboys for one) have the same needs as you with DL and CB/FS. the second and third round is deep this year. Duenta Williams (spl?) will be a steal for the team that gets him. He was a Top 20 pick at the beginning of the year but Suspentions and then a Leg injury in the bowl game hurt his stock, could go as low as 4 round.
Feb 28, 2011 at 06:26:04
Another guy to keep your eye on is Ian Williams, NT from ND. he is a stud who i can see Wade looking at
Feb 28, 2011 at 07:49:52
I would be really happy if we could end up with Phil Taylor. Chances of that are probably nil.
Feb 28, 2011 at 09:07:41
Rahim Moore, but I don’t think you can wait for him to drop. Gotta bundle up a pick or two to get back into the first round for him.
Feb 28, 2011 at 10:55:02
Phil Taylor or Rahim Moore. Both could be potential starters
Feb 28, 2011 at 12:35:25
It’s hard to guess where these guys will fall, but I’m hoping Justin Houston (OLB) or Muhammad Wilkerson (DT) will fall to us in the second. After looking over the FS guys, I think they’ll be a little overvalued since it’s a weak class. I wouldn’t want to grab a 3rd round guy in the second. If Moore or Carter falls, it would be great. I just don’t think they will.
Feb 28, 2011 at 15:35:58
i got a couple guys we can pick up via draft free agency.. jerron johnson ss boise state.. brandon thompson cb boise state.. winton venable olb boise state.. THERE GOOD!
starting special teams no doubt!!
Feb 28, 2011 at 15:36:46
ryan winterswyk de boise state..
might as well get em all..
Feb 28, 2011 at 17:57:11
I still say we need a wide receiver, and if Jonathan Baldwin is there, we should absolutely draft him.
I think Brooks Reed would be a good idea too. Combine pushed him into the second round.
Feb 28, 2011 at 18:30:15
lol @ Josh….I guess we should just go ahead and get their kicker too huh? so he can botch sum field goals like he did vs Nevada
2nd round…either Phil Taylor or Paea if he’s there..if not then Moore…by god’s grace CBA gets settled so we can pick up a safety in free agency.
Aye Chris….I KNOW we have plenty of spots to fill on D, but would u move up to get Miller and give up a 3rd round pick?…Cuz we gotta be real here..Miller is BY FAR the best OLB in this draft and if we could get him, I can go out on a limb and say our front 7(with the addition of a DT) would be disgusting…2nd round is too much so I wouldnt even suggest that one. But if he tumbles just a lil bit to say b/t picks 5-10 and maybe one of those teams does not need an OLB at all then MAYBE we can somehow pull off given a 3rd rounder and trading someone? Maybe I’m dreaming way too damn hard…wishful thinking tho I guess
Feb 28, 2011 at 18:49:38
Someones got a crush on Boise state! Boise state players never transition well to the NFL.
Feb 28, 2011 at 21:50:08
I like Moore more than Carter, pun intended.
Unless Carter runs a great time, I think he might make it to our third round pick
1st round dareus
2nd round moch or martez!
3rd round Carter
4th round WR, maybe jernigan
Feb 28, 2011 at 21:56:50
I was just released by the Jets. I kinda like Houston. What do you think?
Feb 28, 2011 at 22:14:31
I say we raid the suspended North Carolina players Quinn in the first and Austin in the second. They are both beasts and could drop to us.
Feb 28, 2011 at 23:15:25
Austin seems more of 4-3 tackle, but he looked good today, and I bet he could play in a 3-4.
I’m hoping we go for a safety in the second, unless we can grab one of the top 5 in the third, maybe another UNC guy D WILL
Feb 28, 2011 at 23:48:23
I like Carter too … Damn Moch is a beast everyones going back to the tape on him … He might not be bad in the 2nd or 3rd.