The NFL Draft is just over two weeks away and no one really knows who the Houston Texans are going to take number one overall.
One week it’s Johnny Manziel, then another you hear something about Jadeveon Clowney and today I heard that the Texans GM may like Khalil Mack more than either of them.
So let’s play a simple short game, out of these three players (or others you can name later), who would you take and why?
Here are some common traits that are being thrown around about each player:
- Johnny Manziel – It seems you either hate or you love the guy from all the different articles you read about Johnny Football. But despite all the on and off the field shenanigans, the man is one sharp cookie. Sure, he’s extremely athletic, can extend the play and bring you the confidence you want in a quarterback, but is he a “franchise quarterback”? Many have described his size and lack of maturity as red flags, but he is from Texas and I’m sure the locals would love to see him in a Texans uniform. But do the Texans need to draft a quarterback first overall, or maybe hold out for someone in the second round?
- Jadeveon Clowney – This guy is a freak of an athlete and how can anyone forget the hit he put on Vincent Smith of Michigan two seasons ago at the Outback Bowl. Ouch.
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But it’s not his athleticism that has anyone worried. The main thing is his work ethic and if he’ll put in the work to continue to improve. Just look at his sack total dropping to three sacks in 2013, from 13 sacks in 2012. A lot of his numbers dropped and maybe he did that to help prevent him from getting hurt to protect his draft stock. We all heard the rumors about how he might have sat out a season to prevent hurting himself. Would you draft a guy who supposedly takes plays off?
- Khalil Mack – You know what I like about Khalil Mack? I haven’t really heard anything bad about this kid and as the draft gets closer, the comments just keep getting better. Although Mack comes from a smaller school and linebacker isn’t their most pressing need, but the thought of having him, a healthy Brian Cushing and Brooks Reed playing together sounds pretty tempting.
So who would you pick? Personally, I don’t think I’d take a quarterback with the first pick. I don’t think anyone really stands out and there’s enough quarterbacks out there that I think they can snag one in the second round. And as for Clowney, a part of me would love to see him lined up where Mario Williams once was. But I’m not sure he’ll give the production like Williams did.
If I had to go with these three, I’d go with Mack. He’s the safest bet for me and I haven’t heard about any red flags coming from him. With the other two, there’s a bit of smoke. And with smoke, comes fire. But what do I know? I’m just a normal guy writing this from home in his boxers.
Who would you take if you had the first pick? Would it be one of these three or someone else?
