Ag_07 said:

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MelvinUdall said:

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Ja'Tavion Sanders is a good TE the Texans could probably get in the 3rd round.

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No way he falls that far.

He could be a late 1st rounder but I don't think he falls anywhere near the 3rd.

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Yeah, I doubt he goes in the 3rd round, plus again, the draft is very deep at two positions we need help at in WR and CB, so you could be getting 1st round talent in the second round at either, and a strong possibility of getting a long term starter in the 3rd round. It's not worth taking a TE over a more critical need position in the first 3-4 rounds of this draft.

Yeah I read some stuff about how deep this draft is at the OT spot and how that could benefit teams like the Texans who are set at OT.

If lots of OTs are being taken then quality players at positions of need will be falling.

Gonna be an interesting draft.

Ag_07 said:

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MelvinUdall said:

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Ja'Tavion Sanders is a good TE the Texans could probably get in the 3rd round.

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No way he falls that far.

He could be a late 1st rounder but I don't think he falls anywhere near the 3rd.

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That's fair…if they believe he is a game changer TE, and they are targeting a TE, in a weak TE draft, maybe he could be the 1st rd pick.

Cade Stovar played well with CJ at Ohio. If CJ likes him he could be a good later round pick.

Step it up United!

Pretty good summary of the Texans going into the offseason, nothing really new, but a nice site to reference.

https://nfltraderumors.co/2024-nfl-offseason-primer-houston-texans/

Also, they put together a nice draft prospect known visit list, only two on there for us so far.

https://nfltraderumors.co/2024-nfl-draft-prospect-visit-tracker/

Some of the prospects who've met with Houston so far at the combine:

DB's:
Quenyon Mitchell (Toledo)
Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama)
Mike Sainristil (Michigan)
Cam Hart (Notre Dame)
Malik Mustapha (Wake Forest)
Ennis Rakestraw Jr (Missouri)
Nate Wiggins (Clemson)
Kalen King (Penn State)
Kamari Lassiter (Georgia)
Terrion Arnold (Alabama)

DL:
Gabriel Murphy (UCLA)
Byron Murphy II (Texas)
Jaden Crumedy (Mississippi State)
Nathaniel Watson (Mississippi State)
Jaylan Ford (Texas)
David Ugwoegbu (Houston)
Johnny Newton (Illinois)
Gabe Hall (Baylor)
Cedrid Gray (North Carolina)
Payton Wilson (NC State)
Tommy Eichenberg (Ohio State)
Darius Robinson (Missouri)
Jaylen Harrell (Michigan)
Chop Robinson (Penn State)
Bralen Trice (Washington)

Max Power said:

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Some of the prospects who've met with Houston so far at the combine:

DB's:
Quenyon Mitchell (Toledo)
Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama)
Mike Sainristil (Michigan)
Cam Hart (Notre Dame)
Malik Mustapha (Wake Forest)
Ennis Rakestraw Jr (Missouri)
Nate Wiggins (Clemson)
Kalen King (Penn State)
Kamari Lassiter (Georgia)
Terrion Arnold (Alabama)

DL:
Gabriel Murphy (UCLA)
Byron Murphy II (Texas)
Jaden Crumedy (Mississippi State)
Nathaniel Watson (Mississippi State)
Jaylan Ford (Texas)
David Ugwoegbu (Houston)
Johnny Newton (Illinois)
Gabe Hall (Baylor)
Cedrid Gray (North Carolina)
Payton Wilson (NC State)
Tommy Eichenberg (Ohio State)
Darius Robinson (Missouri)
Jaylen Harrell (Michigan)
Chop Robinson (Penn State)
Bralen Trice (Washington)

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I think I might be seeing a pattern here

I think we can mark off any chance of Quenyon Mitchell or Nate Wiggins dropping to us. Mitchell just ran a 4.33 and Wiggins hit 4.29.

Additional prospects who've met with Houston:

TE
Theo Johnson (Penn State)
Cade Stover (Ohio State)
Jaheim Bell (Florida State)

RB
Braelon Allen (Wisconsin)
Bucky Irving (Oregon)
Will Shipley (Clemson)

WR
Brian Thomas (LSU)
Jamari Thrash (Louisville)
Xavier Worthy (Texas)
Keon Coleman (Florida State)
Troy Franklin (Oregon)
Javon Baker (UCF)
Jacob Cowing (Arizona)

Max Power said:

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Additional prospects who've met with Houston:

TE
Theo Johnson (Penn State)
Cade Stover (Ohio State)
Jaheim Bell (Florida State)

RB
Braelon Allen (Wisconsin)
Bucky Irving (Oregon)
Will Shipley (Clemson)

WR
Brian Thomas (LSU)
Jamari Thrash (Louisville)
Xavier Worthy (Texas)
Keon Coleman (Florida State)
Troy Franklin (Oregon)
Javon Baker (UCF)
Jacob Cowing (Arizona)

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I really like Javon Baker, and I think we could get him in the 3rd round. I would also be happy if Theo Johnson or Cade Stover dropped to day 3.

Wow, TE Theo Johnson ran a 4.58 at 6-6 258

The WR talent in this draft is insane. I know it's not our biggest need, but can't help but wonder if that isn't the best route to go in the first. Good chance to get a very high end talent lower than you'd expect.

Ryan34 said:

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The WR talent in this draft is insane. I know it's not our biggest need, but can't help but wonder if that isn't the best route to go in the first. Good chance to get a very high end talent lower than you'd expect.

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Hell, I think you might be able to get high end WR talent at the bottom of the 2nd even. The talent is insane

IrishAg said:

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Ryan34 said:

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The WR talent in this draft is insane. I know it's not our biggest need, but can't help but wonder if that isn't the best route to go in the first. Good chance to get a very high end talent lower than you'd expect.

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Hell, I think you might be able to get high end WR talent at the bottom of the 2nd even. The talent is insane

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Maybe, but I think there will be a run on WRs at some point. Either second round or maybe middle of the first. Just about every team could benefit from another WR in today's game.

Really hope we are aggressive in free agency so we can be in a spot to take best available.

Ryan34 said:

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IrishAg said:

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Ryan34 said:

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The WR talent in this draft is insane. I know it's not our biggest need, but can't help but wonder if that isn't the best route to go in the first. Good chance to get a very high end talent lower than you'd expect.

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Hell, I think you might be able to get high end WR talent at the bottom of the 2nd even. The talent is insane

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Maybe, but I think there will be a run on WRs at some point. Either second round or maybe middle of the first. Just about every team could benefit from another WR in today's game.

Really hope we are aggressive in free agency so we can be in a spot to take best available.

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Agree completely, and I bet we will. I think it will come down to what we need to do at DT, as that position drops very fast after the first 2 or 3 guys.

Friend sent me a snip from ESPN predicting this year's WR class will break the record for first round picks with 8. Guys like Ladd McConkey, Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Leggette, and Xavier Worthy joining the consensus top 4 of Harrison, Nabors, Odunze, and Thomas.

Key dates coming up soon.

March 5th - franchise tag deadline
March 13th - free agency opens (teams can start negotiating on march 11th)

I'm really curious what the team is going to do with Greenard. He's only had one season of elite production and the franchise tag for DE is $21MM for 2024. I'd like to see a 3 year deal with $30-35MM in guaranteed money but this is a market where a lot of guys aren't going to be out there. Maybe a tag and trade for a second round pick would be ideal.

We could go in so many directions in the draft that I'm trying to wait on free agency to speculate on that. Luckily for us this draft is deep at WR, CB, and DE. That's one reason I'd love to tag and trade Greenard for a second round pick. With another 2 we'd be sitting really pretty on draft day.

Max Power said:

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Key dates coming up soon.

March 5th - franchise tag deadline
March 13th - free agency opens (teams can start negotiating on march 11th)

I'm really curious what the team is going to do with Greenard. He's only had one season of elite production and the franchise tag for DE is $21MM for 2024. I'd like to see a 3 year deal with $30-35MM in guaranteed money but this is a market where a lot of guys aren't going to be out there. Maybe a tag and trade for a second round pick would be ideal.

We could go in so many directions in the draft that I'm trying to wait on free agency to speculate on that. Luckily for us this draft is deep at WR, CB, and DE. That's one reason I'd love to tag and trade Greenard for a second round pick. With another 2 we'd be sitting really pretty on draft day.

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I agree, lots of free agency questions that will dictate what we do in the draft.

• Do the coaches think Greenard is worth about 18 million a year, or do they feel he's just a by-product of the system and playing opposite Will Anderson?
• Defensive tackle signings will determine a lot, as there are only a couple in the draft who will probably have the ability to make an impact year 1. So catching one or 2 of the big names will help us a lot with a BPA style drafdt
• Xavier Howard wants to come here, do we spend the money even though it's a deep CB draft?
• Saquon Barkley also wants to come here, but do we feel the system is just plug and play if you have a low round RB with the right skills
• Safety position, and what are we going to do here? Do we trust Ward can make it through a season? Do we have a target or 2 for the 3rd or 4th round we can groom if we let Ward start? Or do we actually go out and sign a new starter?
• WR, do we need another top line guy or do the coaches think Nico and Tank are 1 and 2 and we need more support guys or specialized guys at the other wide out spot?

IrishAg said:

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Max Power said:

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Key dates coming up soon.

March 5th - franchise tag deadline
March 13th - free agency opens (teams can start negotiating on march 11th)

I'm really curious what the team is going to do with Greenard. He's only had one season of elite production and the franchise tag for DE is $21MM for 2024. I'd like to see a 3 year deal with $30-35MM in guaranteed money but this is a market where a lot of guys aren't going to be out there. Maybe a tag and trade for a second round pick would be ideal.

We could go in so many directions in the draft that I'm trying to wait on free agency to speculate on that. Luckily for us this draft is deep at WR, CB, and DE. That's one reason I'd love to tag and trade Greenard for a second round pick. With another 2 we'd be sitting really pretty on draft day.

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I agree, lots of free agency questions that will dictate what we do in the draft.

• Do the coaches think Greenard is worth about 18 million a year, or do they feel he's just a by-product of the system and playing opposite Will Anderson?
• Defensive tackle signings will determine a lot, as there are only a couple in the draft who will probably have the ability to make an impact year 1. So catching one or 2 of the big names will help us a lot with a BPA style drafdt
• Xavier Howard wants to come here, do we spend the money even though it's a deep CB draft?
• Saquon Barkley also wants to come here, but do we feel the system is just plug and play if you have a low round RB with the right skills
• Safety position, and what are we going to do here? Do we trust Ward can make it through a season? Do we have a target or 2 for the 3rd or 4th round we can groom if we let Ward start? Or do we actually go out and sign a new starter?
• WR, do we need another top line guy or do the coaches think Nico and Tank are 1 and 2 and we need more support guys or specialized guys at the other wide out spot?

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• Even if it's not Greenard, we need a veteran DE IMO. Getting a high end pass rush prospect in the 20s is rare.
• This looks like a really weak DT class. Too many sub 300# guys trying to be the next Aaron Donald. I'd rather grab a rotational guy like McKinley Jackson or DVondre Sweat in the middle rounds.
• Rakestraw and Arnold running the 4.5s puts a dent in the first round talent. Wiggins and Mitchell will be long gone. Probably better to target a guy on day 2 here, which means we likely need to bring in a free agent.
• I think it's both. Free agent plus a day 3 RB.
• Probably not a priority in free agency. We can't sign that many guys. Jaylin Simpson could be a good draft target as someone who can play both nickel and safety.
• I think it somewhat depends what happens with Dalton Schultz. I don't think he's worth what he'll likely get in free agency. With how deep this WR class is, upgrading #3 while risking a downgrade from Schultz could be the best net result. Plus, it gives more leverage to how the team handles the Nico Collins contract situation. The downside is that we'd have to fill a lot of positions in free agency (DE, DT, CB, LB, RB, TE). Not sure that's actually practical.

Well, Mike Evans is off the market, NFL network is reporting that he just signed a 2 year extension with the Bucs

Evans back to the bucs. 2 yrs/52mill

Ags #1 said:

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Evans back to the bucs. 2 yrs/52mill

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HA, we had that at the same time

Before free agency begins next week, the Buccaneers and five-time Pro-Bowl WR Mike Evans reached agreement on a two-year, $52 million that includes $35 million guaranteed, per his agent @DerykGilmore.

Evans now has a real chance to start and finish his career in Tampa as a Buc. pic.twitter.com/tj68Vk9YpG

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2024

Saves us from ourselves, spend that money on as many upgrade pieces as possible.

Good for him! IMO the obsession of us getting a number 1 receiver via free agency is just wrong thinking.

Does Mike Evans take this team to the afc championship?

You gotta spend on the defense. Thats the spot that really takes this team over the top. You can pick up young offensive talent but seasoned defenders make all the difference.

Glad we're not pursuing Evans at his age and price tag, good for him for getting paid though. If we're spending on a WR then we need to resign Collins first, free agency/draft would be second IMO. Resigning Schultz should also be a priority. I do think the fact this draft class is stacked with WR's is going to push contracts down for some of the veterans. Doesn't matter the kind of receiver a team wants, they are there this year in huge numbers, veterans/agents need to temper their expectations.

Of the DL free agents Chris Jones would be a game changer, I just worry about the price tag. Even though we have cap space Houston has the most UFA's this offseason so it's not the same kind of freedom that we would like to have. Wilkins and Madubuike won't hit the market, they'll be tagged if they don't get a deal done. Leonard Williams, DJ Reader, Sheldon Rankins, and Javon Kinlaw are more realistic.

Regardless of draft depth DE experience will always be valued so though it has good quality this year I don't think it negatively impacts the veterans out there. I'd like to see us resign Greenard if sensible but also we saw the value of a guy like Derek Barnett, you need depth on the DL to keep guys in the rotation and also it means the offense can't focus on one guy/side, you have to be able to attack on both sides.

I think LB is being devalued these days in the NFL, almost like RB. Good chance we can upgrade from Cashman without a significant investment. It would not shock me if there's a good signing to be made quickly in free agency at LB. So many teams will be falling over each other on the DL and secondary that an opportunity to improve at LB might be there first.

DB side I'd like to keep Nelson around but also draft a guy, given the number of DB's that Houston has spoken to odds are good that's the position we target in the first round.

On the subject of the combine I wouldn't worry too much about the guys that kill it in terms of whether that impacts Houston. Teams that decide on prospects and overweigh the combine generally lose because combine results are generated in a vacuum. I think the combine is dumb for the most part with the exception of getting to see what guys actually measure in at, and also seeing/talking to a big number in one place. Personally instead of the combine I think the Senior Bowl is better but I think there should be something like the combine but with guys playing the game, that's a better way to determine talent. WR's and DB's lining up against each other in pads tells me way more than 40 speed does. I don't care how many times a lineman can rep out 225 compared to how they play in pass blocking and run blocking. The combine is great for Twitter/X, not game performance.

Rhetorical question/not really because I don't know but how many guys really showed they were going to be good in the NFL at the combine compared to their tape? I could have a blind spot here but the combine to me is where you find fool's gold and tape/in-game data is where you find diamonds in the rough.

Max Power said:

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Rhetorical question/not really because I don't know but how many guys really showed they were going to be good in the NFL at the combine compared to their tape? I could have a blind spot here but the combine to me is where you find fool's gold and tape/in-game data is where you find diamonds in the rough.

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Yeah, was listening to Zierlein on the out-kick podcast this morning and that sounded along the same line as his points on the combine. You get confirmation a guy is who you thought he was or that he moves a little but, but he also pointed out that a good showing from a guy with a lower grade will cause him to go back to dig into more tape.

Overall though, he and Bucky Brooks pointed out that teams rarely fall in love with an explosion type combine performance anymore and rather try to use it as more of confirmation from their tape studies on rankings.