2015 NFL Draft: BRB Staff Predict the Texans' First Round Pick

Among the reasons you read Battle Red Blog, "the staff's uncanny ability to predict the future of the team" falls somewhere between "the staff's collective level of sobriety on game day" and "BFD's toothsome visage."  Which is to say, right near the very top.

With that in mind, we decided to share our prognostibations with you about what will happen for the home team in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, our dear readers.  You're welcome.

Tim: I think the Texans trade the pick and move back.

BFMFD: First of all, I believe the Texans would like to trade from this spot, but so would most teams.

That said, somebody has to slide in the draft, and after his recent arrest, I think that guy will be Shane Ray. There were question marks before his arrest, but he'll give the Texans another pass rush option that isn't named JJ Watt. At times the past two years, Watt has been a one-man show getting to the QB, and that cannot last.

As far as other guys in the picture, I believe Jaelen Strong, Melvin Gordon, and Dorial Green-Beckham will be given consideration. My long-shot is Damarious Randall.

Brett: My keen powers of prognostication have narrowed down the most likely selection for the Texans to three players - Melvin Gordon, Todd Gurley, and Nelson Agholor. All three of them are worth high first round picks in their own right, but I feel like the signing of Chris Polk yesterday signals that the Texans are content to pass over the running back position in the first round and instead focus on other areas of need...areas that can be filled (and then some) by Agholor. The former Trojan brings a pro-ready blend of athletic ability, route running prowess, special teams versatility, and a work ethic that can make him an insanely productive Robin to DeAndre Hopkins' Batman. As much as I love Gordon and Gurley, it seems like Bill O'Brien is willing to let them both pass by in order to get presumptive quarterback Ryan Mallett some more fire power down field.

Rivers: After watching Bud Dupree, Vic Beasley, and the consensus top three wideouts leave the board, the Texans trade out of 16 despite Randy Gregory still being on the board because they don't believe in his football IQ.

Diehard Chris: Trade.

MDC: I think Rick Smith wants to trade back. I think Rick Smith plans to trade back. I just also think that even Rick Smith's best-laid plans are dubious propositions, to the point that I think he will make a few overblown trade-back offers, get no interest from the other teams, and will be forced to pick at 16.

The silver lining is that Romeo and BO'B will swoop in at that point and make a solid pick. If I were guessing--and I am!--I would say Landon Collins, Eric Kendricks, or (if Durga blesses us) Trae Waynes.

Captain Ron:This is so hard to do in the middle of the round. It would be easier to try and guess position more than a named player. I’ll go with edge rusher if they hold tight at 16, which hopefully is OLB Bud Dupree. If they trade back, I can see them grabbing CB Kevin Johnson if he’s still available.

Dunsmore: Add me to the trade back group.

kdentify: I think we try to trade back and collect more picks.

Corzo: [Corzo did not respond, because he is a jerk. Or because he's enjoying a vacation. One of those. -Ed.]

Feel free to leave your own predictions in the comments below. The most accurate predictions win a free one-year subscription to BRB.