2014 Houston Texans Draft: Your BRB Staff Makes First Overall Pick Predictions...And More!

In just a couple short hours, your Houston Texans will be drafting the first overall pick in the NFL Draft for the third time since 2002.  Yeah, we're kind of special that way.  Tim ordered us asked the BRB staff to put a stake in the ground with the first overall pick.  We answered three (3) questions:

1. Who would you draft first overall for your Houston Texans in 2002 2006 2014?
2. Who will the Texans actually draft?
3. Which player taken 1.1 would make you chug bleachtinis?

See our answers below as we wallow in our own crapulence!

Rivers McCown:

1. Teddy Bridgewater. I get weak-kneed just thinking about him in a Texans uniform. Mostly because my knees can't handle most punishment, which is why I am not a candidate for this pick.

2. Depends on the trade possibilities. If the Texans keep the pick, I am sold that it will be Jadeveon Clowney. If the Texans trade the pick, I think they will target Johnny Manziel and Khalil Mack, and take whichever one falls to a spot of trade value for them. (I do think they would prefer Manziel to Mack. My tea leave reading is that they want to pick Manziel, but are having problems justifying the pick value with his value, thus the attempt to trade down.)

3. Blake Bortles. I don't think he'll be able to turn those sterling tools into consistent NFL production. He'll sure have some pretty throws though. And that's what the NFL is about if you ask anonymous executives.

Ryan Dunsmore:

1. The Texans get the pick of the proverbial litter.  Everything points to Clowney as that pick. Take the best player on the board no matter the position.

2. Clowney - I suspect he is on the top of most team's boards.

3. Derek Carr.  I am not against the player. I'm against the constant video montages of David Carr that would be played each Texans game.

TexansDC:

1. If this were me, and now seeing that it's possible to get Bridgewater in a late 1st trade-up or 2nd round pick because people want to ignore the game tape and attack him for skinny knees, I would take Clowney. Houston's held the number one overall pick three times. Once, they should've drafted the super-freak defensive end (Julius Peppers in 2002) but didn't. The second time, they ignored the sizzle and grabbed the right guy (super-freak defensive end Mario Williams in 2006). This time should be no different. Grab the super-freak defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.

2. It'll be Clowney. If they trade this pick, it may be time for Khalil Mack.

3. Johnny Manziel would make me turn in my Texans fan card. Seriously. I think that move shows me that McNair only cares about selling tickets and merchandise because I don't think Manziel outshines Mike Vick's or Vince Young's pro career.

Capt Ron:

1. Jadeveon Clowney - #DefenseWinsChampionships, and I don’t see our new coach tying himself to one of these QBs with the first overall pick and the expectations that would follow under a very bright spotlight.

2. Jake Matthews - The Texans never do anything we expect in the draft, so why should this year be any different?

3. Any QB - It puts a lot of expectations on this position with the first overall pick, and it reduces the likelihood of getting another quarterback next year to give this high pick time to develop with such a huge investment in 2014. If he busts after a couple of years, we probably end up with a new coach and quarterback in a few years. That means the Texans suffer a couple of mediocre seasons watching guys like Andre Johnson and Arian Foster possibly retire, while Brian Cushing and J.J. Watt flush prime athletic years down the toilet. I’d rather see a quarterback picked anywhere but 1.1 in the draft to keep the options more open going forward.

bfmfd:

1. I'm still fully on #TeamTeddy. If you prioritize 65 throws in shorts over 1142 live fire passes, you're doing it wrong (looking at you, Mike Mayock). And so what if he doesn't have the personality to make insurance commercials? What he does have is a deep understanding of the game, the ability to adjust, and accuracy. These are what give a QB a high ceiling, not how fast he might run. I still believe Teddy's best comp is Aaron Rodgers, and passing on somebody with that skill set would be a shame.

2. I don't know. I think it'll come down to Jadeveon Clowney, Khalil Mack, and Greg Robinson. The greatest predictor of future success is historical performance, and Clowney's lack of success in 2013 is a huge red flag for me. While Clowney is a physical freak, Mack still had better measurables in the broad jump, vertical, and 3-cone drill. Even if you account for the 15 pound difference between the two, Mack is just as, if not more, freaky, than Clowney. Therefore, I think the Texans go with the all-time SACKSeer leader, Khalil Mack.  In fair disclosure, the only "tape" I watched was when I was opening a package from Amazon, so what do I know?

3. JFF himself, Johnny Manziel. Recently, the Jaguars' GM said Manziel "would probably be the one guy you could plug in there sooner rather than later just because his style of play isn't going to change much from Year 1 to Year 2." That's not a compliment. Poor mechanics, lack of experience in a pro offense, inability to read defenses, and size are all huge problems for me. If he's the pick at 2.1, I could live with it, but the risk associated with JFF far outweighs the small amount of upside he provides. And, no, he is not a high ceiling prospect.

Mbw987:

1. Two words: Bridgewater, I guess that's one word, and man this is a terrible joke. My reasoning is simple. The biggest difference between the 2012 and 2013 Texans was Matt Schaub's play. Other than that, the team that everyone picked to win the AFC South in 2013 was nearly identical to the 2012 version. This is a team that greatly underperformed and is much better than its record indicated. Next year they should see some better luck in one score games and turnover differential. Take this plus an easy schedule, better coaching, and quarterback play, and Houston could make the playoffs in 2014. Take Clowney If you want to piss 2014 away and build for 2015 or 2016. If you want to win this year take, take the best QB available.  Bridgewater is exactly that.

2. That being said, they are probably going to end up taking Clowney. Tonight is going to be like that Christmas when I was greeted by a booger green X on a black box instead of the Playstation I beckoned for.

3. If it's not Clowney, Bridgewater, or Mack at 1.1, or a trade down, I may feel a twinge of anger in my gut. If they take a quarterback in the second round rather than someone who can start at G, OLB, DE, or CB, I will use my Jonas Brothers pillow to suffocate my screams.

Brett Kollmann:

1. Personally, I would still draft Bridgewater. I have never seen a prospect attacked so relentlessly during one offseason for purely on-field play (Cam Newton doesn't count because a lot of his critics were about off-field issues). I feel like I'm taking crazy pills! In terms of leadership ability, football IQ, and accuracy - the traits that matter more than anything to successful quarterbacking in the NFL - Bridgewater is a slam dunk. Knock him for his slender build all you want, but Joe Montana's legs were even skinnier than Bridgewater's and he won four Super Bowls because of his leadership, intelligence, and accuracy. I'll take that any day of the week.

2. Probably Clowney...not that I can really complain about that.

3. Taylor Lewan and Jeremy Hill. I refuse to ever root for either one of them under any circumstances.

UprootedTexan:

1. Jadeveon Clowney. I like Bridgewater, and for the life of me I still don't understand (or accept) the reasons he's fallen so hard so fast, but Clowney is a special player. And with Bridgewater's plummet, there's a damn good chance the Texans could end up with both players we wanted for them at 1.1 so it's all gravy.

2. If they can't trade out, I'm going with Clowney because it's the biggest no-brainer of the upper level players in the draft. If they were to trade back, I would expect them to take Khalil Mack.

3. Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles, and Derek Carr. The first because I find him obnoxious on a personal level and I think I would have a difficult time rooting for him (although, who knows, he might end up being for the Texans what Richard Sherman is for the Seahawks: a player that other teams' fans hate but that team's fans love). The other two I just don't see cutting the mustard in the NFL.

Corzo:

1. I would draft Buffalo OLB Khalil Mack. He has all (or most) of the athleticism of Jadeveon Clowney but doesn't seem to have the heart and motor red flags. I think that if J.J. Watt has taught us anything, it's that a strong motor goes a long way when combined with the physical ability he possesses.

2. I think it'll be Jadeveon Clowney, and I wouldn't blame them at all. I'm sure the coaches are gleefully rubbing their hands together thinking of how they can mold him to fit what they want to do.

3. It definitely wouldn't be at 1.1, but if the Texans draft Derek Carr, I would commit seppuku and use the last few minutes of my life to write out my last will and testament here on BRB.

Herr Bloggenfuhrer, Tim:

1. Teddy Bridgewater. I feel I can best express why through the majesty of song. A big thank you to noted 1990s R&B troika SWV for the source material:

I don't know what it is that Teddy's done to me...
but it's caused me to act in such a crazy way.
Whatever it is that Teddy does when Teddy does what he's doing...
it's a feeling that I want to stay.

'Cause my heart starts beating triple time,
with thoughts of Teddy as a Texan on my mind.
I can't figure out just what to do,
when the cause and cure is you (singer points to Teddy Bridgewater poster).

I get so weak in the knees I can hardly speak.
I lose all control and something takes over me.
In a daze, my love's so amazing, it's not a phase.
I want him to play for my team, by my side.
I swallow my pride, my love is so sweet.
It knocks me right off of my feet.
I can't explain why Teddy makes me weak.

It's time after time after time I've tried to fight it.
But my love is strong, it keeps on holding on.
Resistance is down when Teddy's around, starts fading.
In my condition I don't want to be alone.

'Cause my heart starts beating triple time,
with thoughts of Teddy as a Texan on my mind.
I can't figure out just what to do,
when the cause and cure is you (singer points to Teddy Bridgewater poster).

I get so weak in the knees I can hardly speak.
I lose all control and something takes over me.
In a daze, my love's so amazing, it's not a phase.
I want him to play for my team, by my side.
I swallow my pride, my love is so sweet.
It knocks me right off of my feet.
I can't explain why Teddy makes me weak.

I try hard to fight it.
No way can I deny it.
My love's so sweet.
It knocks me off my feet.

I get so weak in the knees I can hardly speak.
I lose all control and something takes over me.
In a daze, my love's so amazing, it's not a phase.
I want him to play for my team, by my side.
I swallow my pride, my love is so sweet.
It knocks me right off of my feet.
I can't explain why Teddy makes me weak.

I get so weak...
Blood starts racing through my veins
I get so weak...
Boy it's something I can't explain.
I get so weak...
Something 'bout the way Teddy does
the things he does ooh ooh, it...
knocks me right off of my feet,
off of my feet.
Can't explain why Teddy makes me weak.

I get so weak in the knees I can hardly speak.
I lose all control and something takes over me.
In a daze, my love's so amazing, it's not a phase.
I want him to play for my team, by my side.
I swallow my pride, my love is so sweet.
It knocks me right off of my feet.
I can't explain why Teddy makes me weak.

2. If the Texans can't trade the pick (which I believe is what they truly want to do), they'll take Jadeveon Clowney with the first overall pick. I'll fall to my knees, shake my fists at the heavens, and ask why in between choking sobs. In other words, I'll react exactly the same way I did when the Texans picked Mario Williams back in 2006.

3. Anybody but Teddy will upset me. That said, I think Khalil Mack and Jadeveon Clowney will be excellent professional football players, so I will be able to rationalize those selections quickly. If the Texans take Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles with the first pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, please tell my wife and children I love them.

I'm not sure, but I think Tim's response was a plea for an intervention.

This is all just idle pontifibation.  In just a couple hours, we'll meet our newest Texan(s).  In the meantime, call your shot and answer those questions in the Comments below.