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After dreaming about landing players with such high ceilings as Robert Quinn, Julio Jones and Prince Amukamara with the first three previews, it's time to take it down a notch and get a bit more realistic about what will be available and who the Texans would likely be targeting.
This brings us to today's candidate, soon to be second generation NFL player Cameron Jordan, defensive end, California.
Known as "The Other Cam" in this NFL draft, many (like myself) think he is en route to having the better NFL career of the two, even if Cam Newton is picked head of him this April.
Jordan's father, Steve, played twelve years in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings as a tight end and was a six-time Pro Bowler (1986-1991), so Cameron is quite familiar with the NFL and how it works being around it all his life. Let's take a look at his numbers.
Jordan is 6'4" and weighs 287 pounds. His 40 was clocked at 4.87 at the Combine and his vertical is 31". For his size, that is quite remarkable.
In his four year career at Cal, he accumulated 17 sacks, including 12 in the past two years. He also added 12 tackles for loss (-47 yards) his senior season and was a first team All-Pac-10 member.
Most draft scouts have him listed as the third best edge rusher in this draft behind Robert Quinn and DaQuan Bowers. After his dominant Senior Bowl performance, he quickly raised his stock to Top 10 status among some pundits. Scouts cite his balance and leverage as strong points in his dominant ability to stop the run. He lacks the speed to be an elite pass rusher, but his repertoire of moves to get to the quarterback is said to be improving constantly.
So how would he look in a Texans uniform? That's the real trick, isn't it? Another end converted to a linebacker is always going to raise question marks, but he did play in a 3-4 base while at Cal. However, many scouts are saying that Wisconsin end J.J. Watt (who I'll preview next) is a better fit for the 3-4 in the NFL. Yet, Jordan is a higher ranked prospect. Makes perfect sense, right?
Personally, I like Jordan. And I have him sixth on my personal draft board (of players that are possible to be available). Take a look at his highlights below and you decide.
Seem like a guy you wouldn't mind seeing going after Peyton with Mario on the other side?