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SB Nation's Dan Kadar has released his latest weekly mock draft, and this one works out very, very favorably for the Texans. At 16th overall, Kadar is projecting Bill O’Brien and company to select Eric Kendricks (ILB--UCLA). Here is what Mocking The Draft had to say about the pick in their write-up.
There are bigger inside linebackers this year (Benardrick McKinney) and there are some with better stats (Denzel Perryman). But Kendricks is the top middle linebacker in the draft. He's good in coverage and instinctual. This could be a prime spot for another cornerback if Kareem Jackson leaves in free agency.
Despite the (surprisingly) somewhat decent play of Mike Mohamed this season, the Texans are still devoid of talent at the inside linebacker position. Brian Cushing looked noticeably slower after returning from two straight devastating knee injuries, and the rotation of Mohamed, Justin Tuggle, and Akeem Dent could still stand to be upgraded by a single, all-in-one linebacker extraordinaire. Kendricks can – and would be – that guy. Even with players like Jaelen Strong, T.J. Clemmings, and Melvin Gordon still on the board, I would not consider Kendricks a bad pick at all if his name was written on the card.
What do you think, BRB? Would you be cool with picking up the latest first round talent to be pumped out of UCLA's defensive factory? Why or why not? Sound off below.