I'm officially at the point now where I'm fully sick of all the mock drafts, reporting on which players "stock" is going up/down, and reports on team visits, etc. I wish the draft were this week, because I'm fully ready for it to be done at this point.
My concern for a number of the highly rated linebackers is their ability in pass coverage. It's not easy to find someone who has the physicality to take on OL and make tackles and who can also cover in space.
A PFF writer offered his own mock today. He has Kayden McDonald going to Chicago before we pick. He has us taking Jacob Rodriguez at 28. 28. Houston Texans: LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech Perhaps the first pick in this mock that might be a surprise. Most predictions expect the Texans to continue investing in their offensive line, and while that remains a possibility, the team re-signing Ed Ingram while simultaneously adding Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller puts the unit in better shape. Meanwhile, both Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oto’o will be free agents after this year. Rodriguez (93.0 overall PFF grade) is a sleeper to hear his name called on Day 1 following a magnificent campaign and better-than-anticipated athletic testing
I read this on another site: For the first time since 2021, it is possible that no defensive tackles could be selected in Round 1. I haven't found a team that has a true first-round grade on any defensive tackle. With Caleb Banks (Florida) recently having foot surgery, he's likely to be a Day 2 pick. The inconsistencies of Peter Woods (Clemson) throughout the season and during the predraft process have caused most teams I have spoken with to put an early-to-mid second-round mark on him. Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) has mixed reviews because of his lack of pass-rushing ability; many teams wouldn't use a first-round pick on a two-down interior defender.”
I like run-stuffing DT's. Conversely, nothing is more depressing than watching your team's DL getting blown off the line and the ball getting ran down your throat. That's why I like Kayden McDonald for us at 28. McDonald actually moves well for as big as he is, unlike some of the other massive DT's in this draft.
In this draft, I would totally be comfortable trading out of 28 if it means 2027 draft capital + additional 2026 mid-round picks. I said it before and I will say it again, this draft feels like just acquiring depth pieces that need some seasoning to be ready for the NFL. I am good with that because WAJ's contract is going to mean we need cheap (but talented) players in the near future. I would love to see depth at - RB (speed to complement DMo); - WR (is Tank truly back / we need a field stretcher) - TE (need that Y-TE // bring me Roush) - IOL (C/G preferred) - IDL (maybe 2?) - Edge (JIC) - LB (coverage / Golday is the play IMHO) - DB (prolly not with all the recent draft picks)
I would take Jacob Rodriguez at 38, but not 28. I would love the pick. The more I wrap my hear around what the Texans would do this year in the draft, the more I believe the Texans will be trying hard to trade up. It makes sense to trade up. The Texans have one of the best rosters in the league and average to elite level starters at every position. The trade up prospect that makes most sense to me is Blake Miller. Keep this in mind, McShay has Blake Miller as his 15th ranked prospect ahead of Proctor, Iheanocher, and Freeling. A lot of evaluators believe, even if you don't believe that he will go in the top 20. Blake has a lot of the attributes that the Texans covet. He is a 4 year starter at a power conference school. 54 total starts. Voted team captain. Blake Miller is regarded as having of the highest character of all the 1st round talents. He is a scheme fit (more than Lomu and Iheanocher) and been an elite tackle at Clemson. Blake would solidify a roster position for the future that is hard and expensive to fill. The Texans tried to acquire Tyler Booker last year in the draft at pick 12, but the Cowboys declined and selected Booker themselves. But if a trade up doesn't happen then the Texans would select either Woods or McDonald. Whichever one is still on the board.
Trade with 'zona (28 for 34 & 104): 2.34 Peter woods 2.38 Gabe Jakas 2.59. Gennings Dunker 3.69 Oscar Delp 4.104 Tacario Davis 4.106 De'Zhaun Stribling 5.141 Josh Gesky 5.167 Jordan van den Berg 7.243 Tyren Montgomery
I only question if management wants to use our top picks on guys who may not contribute a lot this year. It's my opinion that we should be in "win-now" mode and that means using our top picks on guys who are going to make big contributions this season. Therefore, I'm not inclined to take OL with our picks in the first 4 rounds.
