My Mock - Including a Trade Down Scenario

[chjoak]

Assumptions

- Trade for Sage ends up being for Minn's 2009 4th. Any additional compensation comes in the form of 2010 pick(s)
- Texans trade down in the draft with their 1st rd pick. I will use the Arizona idea mentioned below because I think it is the most plausible that has been mentioned:
Texans get - Ariz 1st (31), 3rd & 4th in 2009 plus a 2010 pick(s)
Arizona gets - Texans 1st (15)
http://boards.houstontexans.com/showthread.php?t=11179

FA Signings - based on NFL.com FA list http://www.nfl.com/freeagency

DE Antonio Smith (Ariz) - Gives us a solid starting LDE at a decent price. Allows us more flexibility in the draft.
OG/C Geoff Hangartner (Car) or OG/C Seth McKinney (Cle) - Either would provide us with competition for the starting spot at both C & G. Both entered the league as Cs but are now playing G. Both are a good size (6'5" 301 & 6'7" 315) for a ZBS and are relatively young.
RB Derrick Ward (NYG) - Probably a pipe dream but if we can convince him to join us in a 2 back system I would be overjoyed. He and Slaton would look amazing together and it would help extend both of their careers if they are splitting carries.

My Draft

1 - OLB Clay Matthews - I like the kid and think he would make a great addition to the D. He could push for a starting SLB spot as a rookie and could also be used as a rush end on passing downs (has played DE in the past).
Alternative Selection - S Louis Delmas

2 - CB Alphonso Smith - Never hurts to have a solid corner, especially with the Dunta issues. He's a little on the short side (5'9") but has shown to be a great cover corner. I think he is the CB that everyone will wish they didn't pass up
Alternative Selection - S Patrick Chung or CB Victor Harris

3a - C Eric Wood - Solid C that can also play OG if needed. Could easily challenge for our starting C or RG spot as a rookie.
Alternative Selection - OG Andy Levitre

3b - DE Lawrence Sidbury - Pass Rush specialist with decent size. Could be used as a backup to Mario and as a 3rd down pass rush specialist until we can groom him into a starting role opposite Mario. Has tremendous upside and a good motor.
Alternative Selection - WR Louis Murphy

4a - OLB Marcus Freeman - Yes I am suggesting we take 2 OLBs in this draft. Diles and Adibi have been impressive but #1 we don't know how Diles will play after breaking his leg #2 we don't know how Adibi will be in the long run. If nothing else Freeman provides good depth and a solid special teams player.
Alternative Selection - OLB Zack Follett

4b - FS Sharrod Martin - We need a good SS/FS project for special teams and depth.
Alternative Selection - FS David Bruton or DE Phillip Hunt

4c - WR Deon Butler - Speed WR that can help spread the field. Could potentially return kicks/punts as well.
Alternative Selection - RB Andre Brown

5 - RB Gartrell Johnson - Even if we sign Derrick Ward I would like to add a power RB for depth and situational plays. As a 5th round pick he shouldn't be a threat to take too many carries from Slaton/Ward unless he proves to deserve them.
Alternative Selection - WR Mike Thomas, Johnny Knox or Aaron Kelly

6 - OT/OG Lydon Murtha - Good size and speed for a ZBS. Plays OT in college and should have the versatility to play either OT or OG in a ZBS.
Alternative Selection - DT Roy Miller

7 - TE Kory Sperry - Wouldn't hurt to add a little TE depth. At 6'5" 238lb he is a good height but could stand to add 10-15lbs. He has been a decent receiving TE in college. Doesn't hurt that he is from Col St, which means he is likely on Kub's radar.
Alternative Selection - SS Otis Wiley

UDFA Targets

SS Al Afalava
FS Anthony Reddick
ILB Mike Rivera
ILB Brock Christopher
OLB James Holt
DE Michael Bennett
C Jon Cooper
WR Manuel Johnson
WR Nate Swift
WR Sammie Stroughter
FB Tony Fiammetta
RB Corey Lewis
QB Stephen McGee - I think he gets drafted but if not I want him here
QB Sean Glennon

NOTE - Some alternate selections are assuming we didn't select the primary/alternate selection in previous rounds.

[DeclanJr]

I would love to get Clay Matthews. Great blood line and fills a need. I don't know why people are so high on Brian Cushing.

[Wolf123]

neither mathews or smith will be there in round 1 and 2.

[foozball]

so youre not sure if adibi is the real deal, but youre sure that freeman is? have some faith in adibi. at least he's played in the nfl and proven himself to some extant...more so than freeman has.

[GoldenHolden]

Sidbury is a 3-4 OLB or 3rd down pass rush specialist. We need to look for a guy that can play 3 downs. Sidbury is crazy fast but will get dominated on running plays.

I love the Clay Matthews pick but I like Adibi at the Will so I would go another direction with the Freeman selection.

Like someone else said, Matthews and the 2nd round pick may not be available. Butler is actually projected to go in the 2nd as well.

[chjoak]

so youre not sure if adibi is the real deal, but youre sure that freeman is? have some faith in adibi. at least he's played in the nfl and proven himself to some extant...more so than freeman has.

Not what I said. The pick of Freeman is for depth and a backup plan in case Diles/Adibi have illness/injury issues. It gives us additional competition at the LB spots which help better the team as a whole.

Sidbury is a 3-4 OLB or 3rd down pass rush specialist. We need to look for a guy that can play 3 downs. Sidbury is crazy fast but will get dominated on running plays.

I didn't pick him to start. If you notice I addressed the starting LDE via FA. I picked Sidbury as a situational pass rusher and backup for Mario while he develops into a potential starter.

I love the Clay Matthews pick but I like Adibi at the Will so I would go another direction with the Freeman selection.

I like Adibi as well but with injury/illness issues with both Adibi & Diles I also like the idea of greater depth. Plus he should make a good special teams player as well.

Like someone else said, Matthews and the 2nd round pick may not be available. Butler is actually projected to go in the 2nd as well.

A few of the boards I visited projected Matthews as a 1st-2nd, Smith as a 1st-3rd and Butler in the range I listed.

[foozball]

we dont need to be picking LBs for depth. they can be easily had through free agency. 4th round picks can turn into starters. we're still not at the point where we can be drafting simply for depth.

[CoogBull]

I fully agree with the Gartrell Johnson call. I am on that guy's bandwagon.

[TheLBCoach]

Gartrell Johnson is the only lock on just about every Texan fan's mock draft. I think he's a great back that would excel on this team.

I only have one question (because you guys know I love to stir it up a little bit...;))

Gartrell or P.J. Hill? I like Gartrell better, but I don't think we could go wrong with either of them.

[foozball]

pj isnt the type we need. he's soft and he dances around in the backfield. i dont care what his numbers are. he isnt the tough runner we need

[thunderkyss]

Assumptions

My Draft

1 - OLB Clay Matthews
Alternative Selection - S Louis Delmas

2 - CB Alphonso Smith -
Alternative Selection - S Patrick Chung or CB Victor Harris

3a - C Eric Wood
Alternative Selection - OG Andy Levitre

3b - DE Lawrence Sidbury
Alternative Selection - WR Louis Murphy

4a - OLB Marcus Freeman
Alternative Selection - OLB Zack Follett

4b - FS Sharrod Martin
Alternative Selection - FS David Bruton or DE Phillip Hunt

4c - WR Deon Butler
Alternative Selection - RB Andre Brown

5 - RB Gartrell Johnson
Alternative Selection - WR Mike Thomas, Johnny Knox or Aaron Kelly

6 - OT/OG Lydon Murtha
Alternative Selection - DT Roy Miller

7 - TE Kory Sperry
Alternative Selection - SS Otis Wiley

UDFA Targets

SS Al Afalava
FS Anthony Reddick
ILB Mike Rivera
ILB Brock Christopher
OLB James Holt
DE Michael Bennett
C Jon Cooper
WR Manuel Johnson
WR Nate Swift
WR Sammie Stroughter
FB Tony Fiammetta
RB Corey Lewis
QB Stephen McGee - I think he gets drafted but if not I want him here
QB Sean Glennon

NOTE - Some alternate selections are assuming we didn't select the primary/alternate selection in previous rounds.

Overall, I like the selections... heavy on the defense, OLB & DBs early.... I don't know the players, as I don't watch college, but I like the positions you addressed.

I like Drafting a DE in the third round. Talented, "situational" with upside.

I think it's a good draft.