Curtis asks: I know we have plenty of spots to fill on defense, but would you move up to get Von Miller and give up a 3rd round pick?
Nope. I wouldn’t. As you said, the Texans just have too many needs on defense. Miller is probably the best rush 3-4 OLB in the draft, but even if I was 100% sold on him (I’m not, pretty close, but not) I wouldn’t trade up. We don’t have a starting free safety. We don’t have a nose tackle. We need a new starting cornerback. Even though I’m not super-high on Miller, I’d be very happy if the Texans were somehow able to land him. The problem is, we don’t just need upgrades on defense, we need STARTERS. Multiple starters. The Texans just can’t afford to give up a high pick in this draft.
AllenOU says: Chris, if Quinton Carter (free safety, Oklahoma) has a good combine maybe he would be worth a 2nd.
I’m starting to warm up to Carter. I’ve been reading up a bit on him, and while I would prefer Rahim Moore, Carter is probably more realistic. I really think Moore is going to go at the top of the second at the latest, if for no other reason than he’s supposed to be the best player at his position in the draft.
Here’s some info from CBSSports.com on Carter:
-Heady defender against the run and pass. Very quick to close on bubble screens whether lined up in man or coming down the hash.
-Has the speed and playmaking ability to be an effective two-deep centerfielder.
-Closes to the ball in a hurry to make bone-jarring hits, forcing fumbles or incompletions.
-Headhunter in run support.
On the down side, to my eye he doesn’t have good football instincts (I’ve seen places say he has solid instincts, but I didn’t see that in the OU games I watched last year). I also recall him being the type of safety who tries to blow guys up but doesn’t always wrap up. That is irritating, and hopefully something that can be coached out of him, for his sake.
“Kris Jenkins” comments: I was just released by the Jets. I kinda like Houston. What do you think?
At this time a year ago, you bet I would be ALL OVER that. But the injuries have just piled up way too much. For what he would cost, it would be a hell of a gamble to count on him for even 12 games. After playing in all 16 games in each season from 2006-2008, Jenkins has played in only six games in the last two seasons. Now, Kris’s younger brother Cullen? That I can get behind.
Revisiting the “would you trade Mario Williams” discussion from this entry.
I just wanted to say that I’m surprised (and impressed) at the results of the poll in the Mario entry linked above. I really thought the (overwhelming?) majority of responders would trade Mario for a top ten pick if they were given the chance. No way I would do that, and most of you agree. I didn’t see that coming. You guys are smarter than I give you credit for. (Except for you. You’re dumb.)
Feb 28, 2011 at 23:11:44
Carter is a wildcard. My eyes from the last three years say yeah he is legit. But the tackling issue is something that he said he needed to work on after his freshman season, mostly on special teams. Other than that, he is a model citizen and has some charities and foundations of you google him. That’s helps his chances. Curious how he looks 2mrw morning.
Jenkins is worth the gamble for the right price, and Chris Meyers could breath a little easier the rest of his career
Mar 1, 2011 at 00:03:29
You put to much stock in the combine…it’s more of a guide to go back and look at tape which could in turn raise deft stock…but in the end over 80% of the things they do at re combine have almost nothing to do with football…I would with out a doubt give up our 3rdtp get a top 5 for the simple fact that Houston really hasn’t had the best of luck drafting people past the 1st (or in general) for that matter so why not trade up and get Von miller…or who I REALLY want them to get Patrick Peterson
Mar 1, 2011 at 01:00:16
@ Austin thats exactly why I would give up a 3rd round for Miller(Patterson would be a miracle)…Texans have a TERRIBLE sense for talent after the first round…hell even for the 1st round alone. And the positions that we really need filled, by the 3rd round I cannot see anyone from that round starting…The safety class is very weak. The DT class is deep but they will prolly be all gone after the 2nd. I can see the Texans blowing off that pick on somethin that wouldnt make any sense like they’ve done in the past. So why not give up the 3rd to move up and not risk drafting someone who wont see the field anytime soon…They could have a legit OLB for yrs to come and then draft Taylor, Paea or Moore in the 2nd. I honestly would be really content with those two. The free agency class this year looks like its gonna be deep with Safeties and Corners so I feel like we could definitely sure up our secondary that way, granted a CBA gets done… After seeing the Texans draft, seem like 15 damn TE’s in one year was utterly freakin ridiculous and I wouldnt put it passed them to do sum dumb ish like that again. Hence, give up the 3rd rounder
Mar 1, 2011 at 01:09:29
And I completely feel you 100 on Kris Jenkins…He’s waaaaay too much of risk to pay that type of money too. I would be shocked if the Texans picked him up….or would I? Naaaaaw
Mar 1, 2011 at 04:26:02
Isn’t GQ moving to free safety?
Kris Jenkins needs to loose a ton of weight to help his knees out. 320s
I hope Mario doesn’t end up a franchise tagged franchise player a year from meow.
Mar 1, 2011 at 07:48:12
Maybe someone can confirm this, but wouldn’t trading up to the number 5 spot cost us a bit more than our 3? I would think it would be more like our 2 and 3. And if there is not a CBA, we wouldn’t be able to trade any future picks as well. It would have to come from this years draft.
Mar 1, 2011 at 08:21:14
wow the prince with an unofficial 4.37 wow
Mar 1, 2011 at 08:57:28
“Kris Jenkins” comments: I was just released by the Jets. I kinda like Houston.
Translation: “It’d be fun to practice against their center everyday. Kinda like getting the day off.”
Mar 1, 2011 at 09:51:59
@roc
Exactly. Going from 11 to 5 would cost us our 2nd Rd Pick, not our 3rd. So all that talk is pretty much dead.
I think I was one of the 1st to say i was interested in Von Miller on this web site. I saw the potential. Then the Senior Bowl happened, then the Combine. Next he will have a Pro Day. So now its unrealistic to get him at 11. With that being said, I saw what he could do and I still wouldnt trade up for him. Especially costing atleast a 2nd Rd Pick.
I rather the Texans say where they are and draft Julio Jones (beast), Prince or trade down and get Akeem Ayers.
Kris Jenkins and Shaun Rogers can both come here….for the right price.
Mar 1, 2011 at 10:40:33
clearly the last post was not read from the previous article. It was more wishful thinking than anything else. Of course we would prolly have to give up a 2nd round pick to move up and if that was the case then I defintely wouldnt do it.
And anyone who watches college fball saw potential in Miller since the beginning of his junior yr. What people are seeing now is nothing new of what he’s aready been doing.
Mar 1, 2011 at 13:01:33
@ Curtis
when 1st mock drafts came out. Miller wasnt in the Top 10, now his stock has shot up like crazy. You say nothing is new? Obviously alot of things have changed.
Mar 1, 2011 at 14:52:24
i think i could run faster than akeem ayers
Mar 2, 2011 at 08:32:19
They didnt list him as a top 10 pick but they sure did say he was going #11 and thats not far off one bit..and on top of that, his talent and production ALONE from his jr year was enough to have him top 10 without the combine. If he did that in the SEC then they def would of said top 5 pick before the senior bowl or combine but because the Big 12 has been sliding a lil bit in competition, they slightly held it against him with regards of being in the top 10 before the senior bowl.
And yea Akeem ayers after running a 4.8 does not need to be playing OLB and I hope texans do not draft him…yea you can say turn on tape and see wut he’s done on the field, but speed kills..you can get away with that in college but in the NFL? 4.8 speed OLB? you can forget it
Mar 2, 2011 at 10:06:05
lol, this is silly. He wasn’t rated top 5, he was rated top 10, he didn’t play in the SEC, and he didn’t come out as a Jr. All these ‘if’s and shoulda coulda wouldas. Not to mention all the money he has made from going to a top 15 pick (which what #11 is) to a top 5 (potentially). How did all this start anyway? I’m not wasting my time anymore.
Mar 2, 2011 at 13:48:52
Boy you cant read. not one time did I say he was a junior coming out. I said what he did(as in past tense) his jr year on the field was enough to project him as a top 10 pick. And I was comparing the Big 12 to the SEC. but yea thats good, u shouldnt waste your time….or mines for that matter
Mar 2, 2011 at 16:48:58
Akeem isn’t worth while till the second round which he could still be there. Quinn didn’t come ready for the combine. If we are going to trade up for an undersized Von Miller why not get an oversized shut down corner with blazing speed. Either one would be a great pick and worth moving up for. I don’t think moving up 6 spots costs a 2nd round pick and he could fall so it’s perfectly reasonable that we could move up and get him for a 3rd.
Mar 3, 2011 at 09:05:52
Well, I’m one of the dumb ones that would trade Mario for a top 10 pick. If a 43 team out there wanted a stud 43 DE, he’s probably better than any in the draft. I think he has value right now, but he won’t have it later when he’s a FA, and especially if he is hurt again this coming year. He’s going to want top money, and the Texans don’t want to pay anyone top money. If we could get the 5th pick for him, we could draft Miller at OLB and get Mario’s replacement (Jordan or Watt) at 11. I just think we have a good chance of losing Williams to FA in another year anyway, so why not get something for him now? Besides, Williams isn’t going to get better at this point in his career. If he hasn’t learned how to use his hands to rip or punch yet, it ain’s happining.