Darius Butler?

[TexansMVP]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d80fec297&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Just stumbled upon this new mock draft today, that poses some pretty interesting picks and scenarios. They actually have us picking Darius Butler here over the USC LBs. What does everyone think about this guy?

15. Houston Texans
Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut

The Texans are on the verge of reaching the postseason, but need to address a few holes on their defense to make it happen. A ball-hawking safety is needed, and the team could still use another defensive tackle or linebacker in the lineup. Offensively, the Texans would like a big back to pair with Steve Slaton. However, Gary Kubiak is well-schooled in the Broncos' system, so it is unlikely that the Texans will make a play for a runner with their top pick. With the notion of finding a lock-down cover man a priority, the Texans opt for Darius Butler here.

» If Jenkins is on the board, he would be an ideal fit in their secondary. But if Jenkins or Butler are no longer an option, the team would think hard about taking Illinois CB Vontae Davis. Davis is more talented than Butler, but his character issues pushes Butler ahead of him.

» If the Texans are unable to address their secondary situation, look for them to take Cushing to fill their need at linebacker.

[houstonsportsfan09]

Yeah I saw this. Interesting thought process. I dont know if he'd be a "reach" at 15. Would consider perhaps trading down if we like him. Though, almost any player we take, I think we are going to trade down and see if we can still take that player

[Hound]

I think he is more talented than VD... if the talent you are talking about is stopping guys from catching passes... His numbers his senior year are really impressive... besides playing offense and returning punts... out of 43 passed thrown to the guy he was covering there were only 6 completed. Less than 14%. I think he is better at CB than the USC guys are at LB. I think the Texans can trade down and still get him. I think the Texans need a CB to see if they can do without DR because it will cost so much to keep him.

[houstonsportsfan09]

It'll be interesting if we go CB. Sure we get depth which isnt a bad thing, but your also "kicking a player to the curb". Who gets "kicked" out of the starting CBs? Bennett? You hinder his progress. Reeves? Paying a lot of money to situational player? Who knows, LB perhaps is still the choice though I'm not opposed to any CB we might take.

[GroovyTexan]

It'll be interesting if we go CB. Sure we get depth which isnt a bad thing, but your also "kicking a player to the curb". Who gets "kicked" out of the starting CBs? Bennett? You hinder his progress. Reeves? Paying a lot of money to situational player? Who knows, LB perhaps is still the choice though I'm not opposed to any CB we might take.

Good reasoning on the CB vs. LB debate. CB just doesn't make as much sense as LB does with our first pick - especially an LB that can get more than Diles' 1 sack last year. The good thing is that myself or anyone else playing part time GM won't be making the decisions and instead the front office with its many months of work on various prospects will be making the call - and hopefully it is the right one.

My "comment" from the peanut gallery is that our biggest "needs" are stopping the run and rushing the passer - not defensive backfield play - and as such we will pick someone that can have an impact in those "areas of need." Most likely, that someone will be BPA anyway. Butler and Davis are both good prospects with great talent, but noone can realistically claim that they will have an impact on our team this year. What is an impact - 3 more tackles, 2 more passes defended, 1 more INT than the other guy? OR, 6 more sacks, 20 more hurries, 3 fumbles recovered, 5 TFLs, and 40 tackles? Give me a pass rusher over a CB any day! Please, Santa!

[lilbush]

I think Bucky was checking out my sig mock :rolleyes:

Rick Smith agrees as well

Smith also said- "I think that you can always improve your defense with corners. I think you've got to take corners all the time. You look at the two drafts that I've run so far, and I'm going to always take corners because I don't think you can have enough guys that can cover and run and hit and do all those things that we ask them to do. So yes, if there's a corner available, we'll certainly try to add one."

[houstonsportsfan09]

Good reasoning on the CB vs. LB debate. CB just doesn't make as much sense as LB does with our first pick - especially an LB that can get more than Diles' 1 sack last year. The good thing is that myself or anyone else playing part time GM won't be making the decisions and instead the front office with its many months of work on various prospects will be making the call - and hopefully it is the right one.

My "comment" from the peanut gallery is that our biggest "needs" are stopping the run and rushing the passer - not defensive backfield play - and as such we will pick someone that can have an impact in those "areas of need." Most likely, that someone will be BPA anyway. Butler and Davis are both good prospects with great talent, but noone can realistically claim that they will have an impact on our team this year. What is an impact - 3 more tackles, 2 more passes defended, 1 more INT than the other guy? OR, 6 more sacks, 20 more hurries, 3 fumbles recovered, 5 TFLs, and 40 tackles? Give me a pass rusher over a CB any day! Please, Santa!

Agreed. I'm leaning more towards LB. If the LBs and/or D-Line pressure the QB, you wont have to worry about how "bad" your CBs play. Could we use an upgrade at both positions? Sure we could though if we get no pressure, it probably wont matter what CB/S is back there.

[TexansRage123]

we wont get a DE first round unless its BPA...but the best DE...orakpo will be gone top ten...and there are questions around the other DE's...

[DCtex]

I would be happy with Butler AFTER a trade down. He could be punt returner too, no more JJ fumble.

[Hound]

I think the CB that goes to the curb doesn't get kicked there. I think DR won't get franchised a second time and the contract to keep him will be way more than Houston wants to pay. So the smart thing to do is for Houston to bring in a CB now to see if they can live without DR... And they have to bring in the best one they can find if he's to replace DR. Doesn't do any good to bring in a fourth round guy to see if he can take DR's place. If I were them I'd be thinking the same thing about TE... and though some would think CB and TE aren't big needs... we could be minus both DR and OD in 2010.