Incompletions: 2016 NFL Draft Day Prophecies And Houston Texans Predictions

It's finally here. After mock draft, after mock draft, after mock draft, the actual real draft is going to occur. In order to bookmark our thoughts so our future grayer, fatter and wrinklier selves can laugh at how wrong we are, the masthead assembles and answers questions regarding the 2016 draft.

1.) Should the Texans draft a QB?  If so, then who?

Matt Weston:

I'm all aboard the second round quarterback wagon, and it is a sad and lonely wagon indeed. The entire City of Houston is buzzing about Brock, just as they should. Houston hasn't made a real investment in the quarterback position the last two seasons. After Brian Hoyer's playoff implosion, the team finally realized that getting the most out of talentless bargains isn't a way to do anything other than be the best team in a bad division. The talented team without a quarterback is now in theory a talented team with a quarterback.

So they went with Brock Osweiler, who was their best option. They couldn't run another year of stop-gap nonsense. They couldn't trade up and give away their future for a player who may or not be good, and would have been manacled to the franchise to for the next four years, which is also J.J. Watt's prime, and the rest of Duane Brown, Johnathan Joseph, Brian Cushing and other former Kubiak cornerstones Texans' careers. If that didn't work out, they would have wasted all of that talent and life and time. Outbidding Denver for Osweiler was the best thing they could do.

With a possible real quarterback at the helm, infinitesimal hopes have morphed into infinite dreams, and the potential is gushing out like oil out of a teenager's pores. Everything is really good. Everyone is happy. Yet Osweiler is far from a slam dunk. He was average in a good position in Denver. He played in an offense that sets up easy throws for the quarterback.  He had two very good receivers on the outside, a tight end who can get open in the center of the field, and a zone run scheme to run play action off of. Regardless of what you see with your eyes, Osweiler's numbers were mediocre and in line with what Teddy Bridgewater and Brian Hoyer's garbage time did last year.

I'm assuming he'll be better in Houston with Bill O'Brien, a better offensive line, Lamar Miller, and a potential first round receiver to play next to DeAndre Hopkins. The better needs to be a leap from average to good, though. He's being paid like Matthew Stafford and Jay Cutler, so he will need to play like it. If he doesn't, there's no point in winning eight games and paying Osweiler as much as they are. They key is the Texans will only have to pay him for two seasons. After those two years, Houston can cut ties and move on or keep him for two more and go from there.

Because of his prior performance, the murkiness of the unknown, and Osweiler's contract, the Texans should hedge their bet and draft a quarterback in the second round. Whether it's Connor Cook, Dak Prescott, Christian Hackenburg doesn't really matter to me. I just want to see Houston take one early in case Osweiler doesn't work out. If he doesn't, then a rookie quarterback with talent would have two years to sit, watch, prepare, and move into the starting role. If he does, the Texans either have a talented backup or a trade chip they can move in a world where six teams a year are starving for quarterback play.

Houston should diversify their far from certain quarterback investment and draft a quarterback in the second round this year.

MDC:

Nope. Or, more accurately, not anyone who they would have to take in rounds one through four. I have no problem with taking a chance on someone in rounds five through seven if there's a particular guy they like.

BFD:

I'm more torn about this today than I was a month ago.  For me, Paxton Lynch is a very compelling physical prospect, but one with flaws.  At this point, I don't think Lynch will be there at 1-22, but I'd lean taking him if he's available.

Capt Ron:

With the free agent signing of Brock, it's less of a priority. I have no issue if they get someone they value in the later rounds.

Zeeshan2:

No. I think they are pretty set with Brandon Weeden and Tom Savage. They need to give Savage a chance at least. They should take one next year if they think Savage is a lost cause.

Tim:

It comes down to whether the Texans are comfortable with Tom Savage's development. If they don't think he's ready to displace Brandon Weeden as QB2 this year, I'd be fine with them drafting one. Given that Brock Osweiler is basically on a two-year deal, I'd even be fine with it as early as the third round if there was someone there they really liked. If you're asking me for a name, I'd suppose I'd take a whirl on Jeff Driskel in the sixth or seventh as a flyer. If they don't draft one, however, you won't see me fret. In Brock I trust...until we see a reason not to.

kdentify:

Not high, if at all. I'm leaning towards no, but I don't know how the team feels about Nic Cage.

Rivers:

Yes. Cardale Jones.

2.) Which player, if drafted by Houston, would make you feel like MDC did when the Texans took Brian Cushing?

Matt Weston:

Uhhhhh...Will Fuller? People are sheep.

MDC:

Will Fuller. Just say no. Even Touchdown Jesus couldn't save that guy's hands.

BFD:

Will Fuller, and only Hack in the 1st could rival it.

Capt Ron:

I'm torn between Will Fuller (WR, Notre Dame) and Derrick Henry (RB, Alabama). Fuller has no hands, and Henry has no tread left.

Zeeshan2:

Will Fuller, especially if all three of the big WRs (Treadwell, Doctson, and Coleman) are still on the board. Or Robert Nkemdiche.  When a player says he wants to buy a panther after the draft, you have to question his judgment.

Tim:

I don't think there's anyone that inspires that sort of hate in me this year.  Out of the usual suspects, I suppose I'd feel diciest about Will Fuller. Even then, I can rationalize the pick. Frankly, the Texans have earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to first round picks. Second and third rounders are a different story, but I'll probably keep my powder dry in the first no matter who they take.

kdentify:

Bosa.

Rivers:

Christian Hackenberg.

3.) Is there someone you are horrified of going to an AFC South team? If so, why? Is it just talent, potential scheme fit, missing link, or a matchup problem?

Matt Weston:

The Jaguars taking a pass rusher who ends up being really good. Their secondary should be at least average, but you are going to give up receptions when you have to cover forever. If they can get a pass rusher to go along with their rookie from last year, Dante Fowler Jr., the Jags may have their first top twenty defense since 2011. That could be what it takes for them to make the leap in 2016.

MDC:

Joey Bosa. I fear him falling to Jacksonville and then abusing our tackles for a decade.

BFD:

Laremy Tunsil to the BE-SFs terrifies me. Clearly, it's less likely to happen, but if the goat molesters of TN can keep Marcus Mariota clean, the AFC South is in for a challenge, at least on that side of the ball.

Capt Ron:

Ezekiel Elliott (RB, Ohio State). This guy is a versatile offensive weapon impact player that will cause headaches for opponents.

Zeeshan2:

Myles Jack (if he's completely healthy) or Ramsey to the Jags.  Their defense is already pretty nasty with Jonathan Cyprien and Prince Amukamura in the secondary, newly signed Malik Jackson rushing the passer, and Telvin Smith and Paul Posluszny with their dominant selves.

Tim:

I believe Laremy Tunsil, Jalen Ramsey, and Myles Jack (if the knee isn't the looming disaster some worry it is) are all going to be very good NFL players. Fortunately for the Texans, I don't think any of the current coaching staffs in place in Indianapolis, Jacksonville, or Tennessee are capable of taking full advantage of their gifts. With different guys in charge--which could presumably happen as quickly as next season, especially in Jacksonville--those players would inspire the biggest dread in me as a fan of a divisional rival.

kdentify:

Tunsil, because I prefer the idea of our defensive line abusing their offensive lines.

Rivers:

Nah. This is kind of a weak draft for pure elite talent. I think I'd be most scared of Ezekiel Elliott but I can't see him getting to anyone but the Jags, who have plenty of backs already.

4.) Who you think the Texans take?

Matt Weston:

I'm guessing one of these wide receivers, but hell if I know. Let's go Corey Coleman. Whoever they take, I'm down with. #InRickSmithITrustInTheFirstRound

MDC:

Will Fuller.

BFD:

No idea at all. My lean is probably Josh Doctson. I just don't see BOB taking Will Fuller.

Capt Ron:

Corey Coleman (WR, Baylor).

Zeeshan2:

Will Fuller.  Looks like he's got the highest grade at WR for the Texans. Rick and McNair have been very adamant about adding speed to this offense.

Tim:

I'm guessing it'll be a wide receiver, a defensive lineman, or an offensive lineman. All the malarkey about how Bill O'Brien was so involved with Corey Coleman at his Pro Day strikes me as misdirection or perhaps wishful thinking by the fan base. I think the pick is Josh Doctson if he's there. Laquon Treadwell is another possibility, but I expect him to be gone. If both Doctson and Treadwell aren't available, I'll speculate Vernon Butler becomes a Texan at No. 22.

kdentify:

I have no idea, but I'd smile a lot at an OL or DL.

Rivers:

My belief is they'll take a wide receiver, but I could also see an interior lineman.

5.) Aside from Teddy Bridgewater, who do you want the Texans to take?

Matt Weston:

I want to see Houston trade down. They still have holes at DE, TE, S and KR, and can use talent at C, OLB and NT. If they can snag an extra second and third round pick, grab a quarterback, fill holes, collect more ping pong balls, and bring in young cheap talent, I would be very happy.

MDC:

Reggie Ragland.

I should add that I'd also be happy as a pig in poop to get Vernon Butler.

BFD:

Vernon Butler or Chris Jones. Jared Crick was one of the worst players in the NFL last year. Could you imagine dropping in a disruptive DE to play along side J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus, and Jadeveon Clowney? That's too much talent for any offensive line in the league to handle.

Capt Ron:

In order of preference of players who will likely be available at pick #22:

Corey Coleman (WR, Baylor)
Taylor Decker (OT, Ohio State)
Reggie Ragland (ILB, Alabama)
Chris Jones (DT, Miss. St.)
Ryan Kelly (C, Alabama)
Vonn Bell (S, Ohio State)

I'd be pleased with any of these players for Houston.

Zeeshan2:

Ryan Kelly, Doctson, Treadwell, Coleman, Butler, Billings, Karl Joseph, William Jackson (Houston connection), Pharoah Cooper, or Sterling Shepard.

Tim:

I hope the Texans trade their second and fourth round picks to the Seahawks, acquire the final pick of the first round, and draft Teddy Bridgewater. NEVER FORGET.

For real, though...there are a bunch of guys I'd be happy with. Treadwell, Doctson, Coleman, Butler, Ryan Kelly, or Jack Conklin would all be solid in my mind.

kdentify:

Please, sir, can I have Cam Newton?

Rivers:

Laquon Treadwell -- Corey Coleman -- Josh Doctson. In that order

These are our voices from a platform that is a little higher than yours. In the comments below, give your answers to the questions and draw some lines in the sand for this weekend's draft.