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Houston Texans Mock Draft With A Twist

Lately, I've been a tad bored with football news. It's either how the Houston Texans weren't aggressive enough in that mini-free agency period, how greedy owners and players may ruin their golden goose, or how [insert converted defensive end into outside linebacker here] will be drafted by the Texans in April because [insert lame joke about the Houston defense being bad here].

Reading the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again stops being fun after a while. If I wanted to be bored, I'd go over to this website here and let boredom reign. Talking and writing about football should have some enjoyment and be entertaining, so that's what I'm going to do here with this little mock draft post. 

First, I'm going to try and avoid those same ol’ names I've seen linked to Houston in other mocks while at the same time focusing on improving the team. Second, I'll ignore what I think will happen (and leave that to our wonderful SB Nation Houston draft thread) and "dream" a little. Third, I'm going to ask you guys to throw out some names we haven't talked about yet or dream a little in draft scenarios. It's a Friday in March and the labor negotiations may fall through, so let's have a little fun, yeah? Jump to hit the mock draft.


1st Round – Alabama WR Julio Jones
I’m going for talent regardless of defensive need, so there’s no front seven defender here. Arguably, Jones is the next big thing at wide receiver. An outstanding NFL Combine performance, on a fractured foot no less, just sealed the deal for me. With him and Andre Johnson outside, teams won’t be able to stop the Texans offense.

2nd Round – Trade a future pick and/or some 4-3 talent that doesn’t fit to a team in the 30s then take Illinois ILB Martez Wilson.
I’ve talked about Wilson on SB Nation Houston recently, spurred on in part by the esteemed MDC and Jake, but I think he could fit as an ILB or OLB in the 3-4. Another physically talented athlete, Wilson would be a good fit on the strong-side or inside if DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing can’t get back to form.

3rd Round – Nevada OLB Dontay Moch
Are you noticing a theme here? I’m on a mission to add some speed into the roster, and Moch has speed. Moch’s main issue is how raw he is, but a 3rd round pick is the typical Texans slot for a raw prospect. Moch can rotate in as a speed-rushing specialist and develop. If Wilson has to slide inside for some reason, Moch can take his spot outside.

4th Round – University of Tennessee-Chattanooga CB Buster Skrine
The unofficial fastest man at the Combine with a 4.29, Skrine continues our theme of speed. More over, he earned the praise of famed cover corner Deion Sanders during the NFL Network’s Combine coverage. That’s a whole lot more praise than any of our cornerbacks have received lately. Have Skrine challenge for the nickel role and see what happens.

5th Round – Nebraska K/P Alex Henery
What’s more freaky than someone who can play dual positions in the NFL? Everyone’s aware of Henery’s booming leg as a kicker, kick-off specialist, and punter. He would be a perfect replacement for grizzled veteran Matt Turk. Would I replace Rackers as well? Probably not this year. I’d let Henery kick the 50+ yarders, but Rackers was money from inside 50 and a willing tackler on special teams. Still, Henery’s an incredible talent who does make the team better – especially if it means Turk is gone.

6th Round –South Carolina FS Chris Culliver
Culliver’s an interesting fellow. He started as a WR, spent two years at FS, and then was a senior CB for the Gamecocks. This rawness and inexperience is why he can be had so low. Easily, his best two years were as a free safety where he could use his 4.45 speed to roam and play centerfield. During those FS years, he had 122 tackles, 2 sacks, 12 passes broken up, 3 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. Whether he one day starts or provides a better back-up option than Troy Nolan and Dominique Barber, Culliver would be a shrewd 6th rounder.

7th Round – Wyoming S Chris Prosinski
Prosinski is a tackling machine safety. As starter for three seasons, he averaged 112 tackles and 2 forced fumbles a year. Granted, he was a free safety, but Wade Phillips’ system requires both his safeties to be adept at both tackling and coverage. Speaking of coverage, Chris tallied 20 passes defensed and five interceptions at Wyoming. In my mind, there’s a spot for Prosinski at either safety position. Oh, he was also clocked at (an unofficial) 4.39 for his pro day 40-yard dash, so that’ll do the trick for me to nab him in the 7th.

Alright, there you have it. There’s a different kind of mock with new names to ponder and think about. Sound off below on these guys, other guys that no one else has mentioned with the Texans, or your own dream mock (free of busts and Rick Smith’s decision-making).