Houston has been right here earlier than.
The Texans owned the No. 1 total decide again within the 2006 draft.
David Carr was the quarterback, however the crew had already soured on the previous No. 1 total decide of the 2002 draft. Carr was coming off one more “meh” season as he handed for two,488 yards, the second lowest of his profession regardless of enjoying all 16 video games. He additionally had 14 landing passes and 11 interceptions because the Texans fell to 2-14.
Absolutely the crew would draft one of many high three QBs, proper?
On the high of practically everybody’s checklist was former Texas QB Vince Younger, contemporary off a nationwide championship. Younger had elite measurables and athleticism after passing for 3,036 yards and 26 TDs and speeding for 1,050 and 12 TDs in 2005.
Not your jam?
There was additionally the QB Younger confronted within the nationwide championship, USC’s Matt Leinart. The 2004 Heisman Trophy winner didn’t have the strongest arm however was lauded for his intermediate sport and his intangibles. Then there was the rocket-armed Jay Cutler, a relative unknown out of Vanderbilt.
Nevertheless, these three weren’t even the highest prospects within the 2006 draft. That will be USC’s Reggie Bush, who was tabbed as “the following nice RB” earlier than he even took an NFL snap.
Lastly, someplace in that top-5 vary was N.C. State defensive finish Mario Williams. A large on the place – each then and now – at 6-foot-6, 300-pounds, Williams was coming off a historic season for the Wolfpack, setting faculty and convention information that also haven’t been damaged.
However Williams was the clear No. 3 prospect within the 2006 draft, falling behind high prospects Bush and Younger.
As an alternative, Houston took the extra costs-effective route and chosen Williams with the primary total decide, a lot to the shock of the NFL draft world.
Finally, Williams was the sensible decide.
He went on to play 11 seasons for 3 completely different groups, incomes first-team All-Professional as soon as and second-team twice and was named to the Professional Bowl 4 instances. Williams completed his profession with 399 tackles and 97.5 sacks and is now within the N.C. State Athletic Corridor of Fame.
Younger, Bush, Leinart and Cutler, in the meantime, loved varied levels of success, nevertheless it’s protected to say all had considerably disappointing careers within the NFL.
Don’t be shocked if Houston does it once more.
The highest three QBs all include questions, plus Houston might need to give younger QB Davis Mills one other yr to determine issues out.
Lastly, this isn’t the primary time Houston has taken a cross rusher with the primary total decide. The Texans took former South Carolina defensive finish Jadeveon Clowney No. 1 in 2014. Like Williams, Clowney has had a solid-to-sometimes-great profession, albeit for a special crew now.
1. Houston Texans: Edge Will Anderson, Alabama
Whereas Anderson remains to be extensively thought of the highest prospect, the 6-foot-4, 243-pound true junior hasn’t put up the numbers this season that he did final yr – however he might have set the bar too excessive after his insane sophomore season when he had 17.5 sacks, 31 tackles for loss and an unbelievable 101 tackles. This season, Anderson nonetheless has 8 sacks, 14 TFLs and 42 tackles total.
Nevertheless, Alabama’s defensive position hasn’t been pretty much as good because it has been lately, which might clarify the dip in Anderson’s statistics.
One space for enchancment: Anderson has missed 9 tackles this season
2. Las Vegas Raiders: DL Jalen Carter, Georgia
Anticipate Las Vegas to commerce this decide to a QB-needy crew if Anderson is already taken. The Raiders aren’t more likely to take one other QB – particularly this excessive within the draft – so long as present QB Derek Carr remains to be on the crew, so the decide goes to the 6-foot-3, 300-pound Jalen Carter, essentially the most disruptive defensive sort out since Quinnen Williams in 2019.
3. Carolina Panthers: QB Bryce Younger, Alabama
The one method the Panthers would be capable of nab one of many high two signal-callers can be if Anderson goes No. 1 total. In any other case, Carolina might need to commerce away belongings to maneuver up if it picks third total. This is able to be the perfect state of affairs for a crew that’s quietly constructing a stable, younger offensive line. Add a decent finish and possibly one other receiver with its two second-round picks, and the Panthers may get higher in a rush – so long as the QB pans out.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Edge Myles Murphy, Clemson
How’s this for a attainable exodus: Defensive linemen Fletcher Cox, Robert Quinn, Brandon Graham and Javon Hargrave will all be unrestricted free brokers on the finish of the season. It’s exhausting to check the crew bringing all of them again. Heart Jason Kelce will even be an UFA, however Philadelphia drafted a middle within the second spherical this previous spring, Nebraska’s Cam Jurgen. And cornerback James Bradberry might doubtlessly go away in free company, though there’s no CB ranked that top. That’s what makes the Murphy decide really feel like such a pure match. If the crew can re-sign Cox and Hargrave and if Derek Barnett can return to type from an ACL tear, then the Eagles may have a pleasant mixture of veterans and youth alongside the defensive position with the additions of Murphy and 2022 first-round DT Jordan Davis.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Proper sort out Jawaan Taylor might be a free agent on the finish of the yr and isn’t enjoying significantly effectively with a PFF rating of 57. Left sort out Cam Robinson hasn’t been significantly better (66.7). Fashanu would possible stroll in because the crew’s finest offensive lineman. Nevertheless, he would even be one of many youngest prospects within the draft (if not the youngest), so the first-year starter might simply as simply return to high school.
6. Chicago Bears: OT Paris Johnson, Ohio State
Buying and selling for receiver Chase Claypool means Chicago doesn’t need to overdraft a receiver on Day 1. And it means the crew can pull the set off on an OT like Skoronski. Think about the crew’s present state of affairs at OT: Proper sort out Riley Reiff might be an UFA on the finish of the season, and the left aspect is being manned by rookie Braxton Jones, the crew’s fifth-round pick of Southern Utah. In the meantime, Larry Borom, who began a lot of final season as a fifth-round pick of Missouri, is now the backup, and Teven Jenkins, a 2021 second-rounder out of Oklahoma State, is now the beginning proper guard. To be honest, all have carried out pretty effectively this season; nonetheless, Johnson would possible step in instantly as Reiff’s substitute at proper sort out, however he might additionally play guard, if wanted.
7. Detroit Lions: QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
As of now, it could be an enormous shock if Stroud fell this far. Almost certainly Stroud and Younger will go throughout the high three picks of the draft. Nevertheless, a few elements makes it attainable for him to fall a bit, as he’s hardly ever been examined and the Buckeyes’ current historical past of first-round QBs is alarming.
8. Seattle Seahawks: QB Will Levis, Kentucky
Though Levis is having a little bit of a down yr, the shortage of the place alone says he’ll nonetheless possible go throughout the first 10 picks. Seattle might all the time await its second first-round decide and hope that somebody like Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker may nonetheless be out there, however, once more, hoping for a rookie QB to fall to you within the draft is extraordinarily dangerous.
9. Houston Texans: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Wouldn’t you wish to be a fly on the wall within the QB room if Houston drafts Davis’ substitute at Stanford? Tanner McKee, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound junior, grew to become the beginning QB for Stanford after Davis was drafted within the third spherical by Houston in 2020. However that is nonetheless a bit excessive for McKee, who’s a tad older than different true juniors after serving two years of LDS missionary work in Brazil earlier than enrolling at Stanford. The Texans might additionally use an improve at receiver, too, though it is a bit excessive for a receiver. With out many different choices, Houston might go along with Skoronski and transfer him to proper guard, the place present starter A.J. Cann might be an UFA after subsequent season.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
It is a worst-case state of affairs, as Pittsburgh might use an improve at left sort out over 2020 fourth-rounder Dan Moore Jr., who has a 62.4 PFF grade. They may additionally use a CB, however drafting Joey Porter Jr. may put an excessive amount of strain on the son of the previous Steelers nice – then once more, taking a special CB over Porter can be extremely awkward, too. As an alternative, the Steelers give rookie QB Kenny Pickett one other monster to throw to on the skin in TCU’s Johnston. As talked about within the earlier decide, it is a bit excessive for a receiver, however with the highest OTs already off the board, Pittsburgh may even see this because the best-way to enhance an anemic passing offense.
11. Detroit Lions: CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
Former No. 3 total decide Jeff Okudah is having a career-best yr however has largely been a disappointment his first three years. The opposite beginning exterior nook is former security Will Harris, who might be an UFA on the finish of the season. Taking a CB here’s a no-brainer.
12. Inexperienced Bay Packers: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
Inexperienced Bay has a mix of younger and veteran linemen, however accidents have examined their depth and uncovered a number of weaknesses.
13. Atlanta Falcons: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
Tyler Allgeier leads the crew with 443 yards speeding with simply 1 TD and a “ho-hum” 4.3 yard-per-carry common. Certain, it could be good if Atlanta might discover a method to snag one of many high QBs, however a stable working sport ought to do nothing however assist present starter Marcus Mariota and third-round rookie backup Desmond Ridder.
14. Arizona Cardinals: WR Jordan Addison, USC
Arizona’s receiving corps consists of one promising second-year participant, Rondale Moore, two veterans who’re on the downsides of their in any other case stellar careers (DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Inexperienced) and one other veteran who was acquired by way of commerce because of declining play (Robbie Anderson). The perfect receiver, Marquise Brown, whom the Texans traded a first-round decide to amass, has missed many of the season with a fracture in his foot. When wholesome, a Brown-Moore-Addison trio can be scary.
15. Indianapolis Colts: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
Want a QB? Get in line. Indianapolis is one other QB-starved crew that would commerce as much as purchase one. The decide may come right down to South Carolina CB Cam Smith or Texas Tech edge Tyree Wilson, because the Colts might use assist at both place.
16. Washington Commanders: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
If QB is the most important want, then CB is perhaps the second-biggest. The crew hasn’t had quite a lot of luck through the years reaching for a QB within the first spherical, so as an alternative the Commanders increase their leaky secondary.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: DL Bryan Bresee, Clemson
The play of sixth-round rookie Jamaree Salyer at LT and the return of Rashawn Slater from harm means Los Angeles doesn’t need to take a sort out on Days 1 or 2. Bresee would give the Chargers a lethal entrance 7 with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, plus beginning DL Morgan Fox might be an UFA on the finish of the season.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
Regardless of including items to its offensive line within the offseason, QB Joe Burrow remains to be being requested to do every little thing for the Cincinnati offense, because the revamped line has struggled, as has the working sport. Burrow has been sacked 30 instances, second-most within the league. By including Gibbs, the crew is giving its floor sport an enormous increase – which also needs to result in fewer sacks – and it ought to assist with playactions and display screen performs, as Burrow is sixteenth in display screen yards and twenty second for drop-backs which might be screens, in accordance with FanNation’s Convey Me The Sports activities. Gibbs, one of many quickest gamers within the draft, has 774 yards and 6 TDs speeding and has caught 40 passes for 370 yards and three extra TDs.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DL Tuli Tuipulotu, USC
Who’s the cross rusher that places worry into opposing offenses? Presently, large DT Vita Vea leads the crew with 6.5 sacks, adopted by LB Devin White’s 5. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Tampa Bay’s first-round decide in 2021, has 3.5. Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson would even be tempting right here, however he’s a greater match as a defensive finish in a 4-3, whereas Tuipulotu can play finish in an even- or odd-front.
20. Denver Broncos: OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State
Offensive line is far-and-away Denver’s greatest want. Garrett Bolles is out for the yr with an harm, whereas Cam Fleming, Billy Turner and Dalton Risner, a sort out in faculty, will all be UFAs. This can be a bit excessive for Jones, however the crew has little selection, particularly after buying and selling for QB Russell Wilson.
21. New England Patriots: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Present beginning TE Hunter Henry is having a down yr with simply 19 receptions for 240 yards. Mayer is a giant goal that ought to solely assist second-year QB Mac Jones.
22. Seattle Seahawks: WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
Marquise Goodwin might be an UFA, and the always-steady Tyler Lockett is now on the wrong-side of 30. Hyatt groups up with teammate Hooker on this state of affairs.
23. New York Jets: S Brian Department
The soon-to-be 32-year-old security Lamarcus Joyner can’t play perpetually.
24. Buffalo Payments: LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas
Tremaine Edmunds has been a tackling machine since Buffalo drafted him within the first spherical in 2018. He’ll even be an unrestricted free agent – and Sanders might change into a greater cross rusher than Edmunds is, too.
25. Baltimore Ravens: CB Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M
The Rigdon huge board lists Georgia CB Kelee Ringo as the upper prospect; nonetheless, there are some grumblings that Ringo may fall to Day 2, in accordance with Walter Soccer. Jones, in the meantime, can also be a giant CB who has been transferring up draft boards. Both method, anticipate Baltimore to handle the place, as present starter Marcus Peters might be an UFA on the finish of the season.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Edge Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
Each single full- or part-time staring defensive again might be a free agent on the finish of subsequent season or the yr after that. Dallas run’ protection is getting gouged. The crew has but to solidify the left guard place. And the CeeDee Lamb-Michael Gallup duo has underwhelmed this season. So why take Wilson when cross rusher is likely one of the crew’s strengths? At 6-foot-6, 275-pounds, Wilson is simply too good of a prospect at this level within the draft to cross up. Plus, including Wilson to an edge group that already consists of DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorrance Armstrong and second-round rookie Sam Williams would assist unencumber star linebacker Micah Parsons, which means, the crew may not play Parsons as typically at defensive finish because it has this yr, making him extra of a chess piece like he was used as a rookie.
27. Tennessee Titans: LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson
Tennessee might use one other TE, as each Austin Hooper and Geoff Swaim might be UFAs, however with Mayer off the board, the Titans might take a best-player-available strategy. Simpson is a bit like Parsons in that he’s a chess piece groups can use everywhere in the area.
28. New York Giants: S Antonio Johnson
That is assuming New York re-signs QB Daniel Jones. If not, then all bets are off. One in all New York’s most evident wants is at receiver; nonetheless, the best-remaining receiver, Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, is probably going a slot-only receiver, a place the crew already has lined after drafting Wan’Dale Robinson this previous spring within the second spherical. It’s additionally exhausting to check the crew drafting one other receiver after taking Robinson this yr and the-since-traded Kadarius Toney, their 2021 first-rounder. As an alternative, the Giants’ secondary will get a giant increase with Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson, a giant security/nickel hybrid at 6-foot-3, 190-pounds.
29. Minnesota Vikings: CB Clark Phillips III, Utah
A bit undersized at 5-foot-10, 191-pounds, Phillips would give the Vikings the playmaking CB they’ve so desperately tried to seek out lately. Minnesota has drafted a CB within the first or second spherical 5 out of the final eight years. Phillips has 5 INTs this season, together with 2 pick-6s.
30. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: Edge B.J. Ojulari, LSU
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Ojulari isn’t an ideal slot in Kansas Metropolis’s 4-3 protection, as he’s in all probability finest as an out of doors linebacker in a 3-4. Nonetheless, it could be an enormous coup for Kansas Metropolis if Ojulari fell this far, as he would pair with 2022 first-round edge George Karlaftis to provide the Chiefs bookend cross rushers for the following decade.
31. Philadelphia Eagles: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
What do you give the crew with the very best OL in soccer? How a few sixth offensive lineman. Washington doesn’t have the very best arms, and he’s not even the highest TE on his personal crew. However the 6-foot-8, 280-pound junior is extremely athletic for his measurement, and is a terrific blocker. Washington can be a bit like certainly one of Philadelphia’s first-round picks this previous spring, DL Jordan Davis, as neither participant will obtain a ton of snaps or replenish the stat sheet – however their presence can be felt nonetheless. Plus, Washington could possibly be used because the Eagles’ secret weapon towards Dallas and its potent cross rush.
Different:
New Orleans Saints, second spherical: QB Tanner McKee, Stanford
Los Angeles Rams, second spherical: OT Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland
Cleveland Browns, second spherical: DT Siaki Ika, Baylor
Miami Dolphins, second spherical: RB Devon Achane, Texas A&M
* Draft order courtesy of Tankathon.
** Miami misplaced its first-round decide because of tampering expenses.
