Charles Davis and I shared duties on "NFL Draft Review" on NFL Network, so I wanted to make sure I gave you my thoughts on the rest of the teams I didn't cover on the show.
-- Mayock on
Texans top picks
J.J. Watt and
Brooks Reed
The Texans' first five picks were on defense. Obviously, the difference in their season going forward will be the same as in the past. If they can play playoff-style defense, they will be in the postseason, because their offense is one of the best in the league.
The Texans took J.J. Watt in the first round, and the way they play their defense up front makes him an ideal fit, because he can play the five-technique as a defensive end or he can play the three-technique, which is kind of a defensive tackle with different gap responsibilities. So his versatility fits right in with what Wade Phillips wants to do in Houston. Keep in mind, the Texans were No. 23 in sacks generated last season, so Watt is one of the few "interior" guys who I think can push the pocket.
In the second round, they took Brooks Reed, a defensive end from Arizona who will be an outside linebacker in their scheme. Great motor, quick off the edge. I think what he'll be in Year 1 is a situational pass rusher. I don't think he'll be a three-down player.
Their other second-round pick was Brandon Harris, the cornerback from Miami. To me, he's more of a nickel back. He's a smart kid, but I had him with a third-round grade, if I remember correctly. The Texans took three defensive backs: Harris in the second round, Rashad Carmichael in the fourth and safety Shiloh Keo in the fifth. I like Carmichael. He's a sharp kid, and he's quicker than fast. Keo doesn't run fast, but his intangibles are off the charts. His feet are better than people think.
The Texans, as you can see, have two main issues: They have to get more pressure on the quarterback, and they tried to take care of that with their first two picks. Secondly, they have to hold up a lot better on the back end, where they used three draft picks. But my gut tells me they're going to be in the market for a cornerback in free agency.
Tennessee was at every quarterback pro day out there. I can tell Chris Palmer, the Titans' new offensive coordinator, is intrigued by first-round pick Jake Locker. I still think they need to be looking at a veteran quarterback, but Locker is a guy that, if he gets with the right quarterback coach, gets enough reps and really works hard at his pocket awareness -- he's a guy whose athletic ability and arm strength certainly is worthy of a top-10 pick. The question is his accuracy and pocket awareness.
The Titans took Akeem Ayers in the second round. Jason Babin and Dave Ball are both potential free agents, and a healthy Derrick Morgan will come back off injured reserve. So the team spent a first-round pick on Morgan a year ago and a second-round pick on Ayers this year. They're hoping to get a healthy edge rush from those guys.
In the third round, they took Jurrell Casey, a defensive tackle from USC and then Colin McCarthy, an interesting linebacker from Miami who I think can be a special-teams player as well in the fourth. With Stephen Tulloch as a potential free agent, McCarthy is a guy who can get a lot of snaps.
