Texans Picks... #1, #33, #65, #98,#170,#251

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#1 DE Mario Williams NC State


Position: DE
Class: Jr
School: NC State
Conference: Atlantic Coast
Ht., Wt.: 6-7, 290
40 Time: 4.66

Grading System

BIO: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference and All-American honors since his freshman campaign. Posted 55/20/13 last year after 57/15/6 as a sophomore.

POSITIVES: Gifted athlete who takes over games and dominates the opposition. Explosive, plays with tremendous pad level and has a burst of speed in every direction. Constantly doubled by opponents yet splits blocks, flashes on the scene and gets tremendous force driving up the field. Flattens off the edge making plays in pursuit or strings plays out laterally. Fluid and possesses outstanding movement skills.

NEGATIVES: Likes to pin his ears back and take off up the field. Does not always use his size as an advantage. Needs to be prodded at times.

ANALYSIS: An exceptional athlete with a great amount of upside potential, Williams has the skills to be labeled an impact defensive player. Moving around the field like a linebacker, he has the ability to force the action on a three-down basis. Needs to complete his game and learn to play hard for 60 minutes yet has All-Pro potential.

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#33

DeMeco Ryans LB Alabama



Position: OLB
Class: Sr
School: Alabama
Conference: Southeastern
Ht., Wt.: 6-1.5, 236
40 Time: 4.7


BIO: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors the past two seasons and honored as an All-American in .05. Totals last season included 76/16/5 after 78 tackles as a junior. Posted 126 tackles during his sophomore campaign. All-Academic performer throughout college.

POSITIVES: Productive weak-side linebacker shooting up draft boards. Efficient, immediately reads the action and takes good angles to the ball-handler. Gets depth on drops and displays ball skills in coverage. Resilient, very instinctive and immediately reacts to the action. Solid in pursuit and is rarely off his feet.

NEGATIVES: Lacks bulk and playing strength, and sometimes has tackles broken.

ANALYSIS: An intelligent prospect who graduated in seven semesters, Ryans offers plenty of upside for the next level. A potential starter at several linebacker positions, expect him to break in with the first team as a rookie.

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#65

Charles Spencer OL Pittburgh

Position: OG
Class: 5Sr
School: Pittsburgh
Conference: Big East
Ht., Wt.: 6-4.5, 352
40 Time: 5.36
Selected by: Houston Texans
Round 3, pick 1 (65 overall)
Grading System

BIO: Former defensive lineman who moved to the offensive side of the ball as a junior, then proceeded to win All-Conference honors the following two years. Used at left tackle as a senior after playing guard the prior year.

POSITIVES: Big, strong blocker with a good degree of upside. Athletic, plays with leverage and moves opponents off the line. Displays good hand punch, pushes rushers from their angle of attack and works assignments. Effective position blocker on the second level. Patient in pass protection and anchors at the point.

NEGATIVES: Lacks blocking range and top footwork. Poorly conditioned and seemingly skates through plays at times.

ANALYSIS: Ever-improving on the offensive line, Spencer made major strides in his game the past two years. Has starting potential at the next level yet must put forth consistent effort and properly condition himself.

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#66 (from Saints)

Eric Winston OT Miami



Position: T
Class: 4Sr
School: Miami (FL)
Conference: Big East
Ht., Wt.: 6-6.5, 310
40 Time: 4.97
Selected by: Houston Texans
Round 3, pick 2 (66 overall)
Grading System

BIO: Former tight end who moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore. All-Conference selection as a senior and awarded the Jacobs Trophy as the top lineman in the ACC. Started the first four games of his junior campaign, then suffered a torn ligament in his left knee, ending his season.

POSITIVES: Athletic blocker with terrific upside for the next level. Patient, makes effective use of angles and is a strong position blocker. Stays square, jolts defenders with hand punch then turns them off the line. Blocks with good lean and a wide base. Alert and works well with teammates. Displayed improved blocking strength as a senior.

NEGATIVES: Lacks top blocking range and is not quick-footed. Did not distinguish himself during his senior campaign.

ANALYSIS: A former top-10 selection prior to his knee injury, Winston never seemed completely healthy in .05. Previously displayed the footwork and mobility teams want in a left tackle and could be a bargain in April's draft for a franchise patient with his recovery.

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#98

TE Owen Daniews Wisconsin



Position: TE
Class: Sr
School: Wisconsin
Conference: Big Ten
Ht., Wt.: 6-3.5, 253
40 Time: 4.7

Grading System

BIO: Awarded All-Conference honors as a junior after totaling 25/391/2. Senior numbers were 22/268/4.

POSITIVES: Effective pass-catching tight end with a good feel for the position. Finds the soft spot in the defense, displays a sense of timing and has natural hands. Plays with good pad level and remains focused throughout the action.

NEGATIVES: Lacks strength at the point of attack. Marginally productive as a blocker. Does not play to his 40 time.

ANALYSIS: A former quarterback who has shown flashes of ability since making the move to tight end, Daniels must significantly elevate his level of play this summer. Practice squad player with developmental potential.


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#170

RB Wali Lundy Virginia

Position: RB
Class: Sr
School: Virginia
Conference: Atlantic Coast
Ht., Wt.: 5-10, 214
40 Time: 4.55

Grading System

BIO: Posted 144/574/10 on the ground last season adding 15 receptions. Junior totals included 864 yards rushing with 17 touchdowns. Registered 227/929/10 on the ground as a sophomore.

POSITIVES: Productive ball carrier with solid size/speed numbers. Patient, waits for blocks to develop and displays excellent vision. Possesses a burst through the hole, weaves through defenders and runs with good lean. Keeps the play in bounds and picks up yardage off initial contact. Solid receiver who adjusts to the errant throw. Gives effort blocking, chipping opponents and disrupting their angle of attack.

NEGATIVES: Lacks the ability to quickly cut back against the grain or make defenders miss. Cannot run to daylight. Most productive seasons came early in career.

ANALYSIS: A versatile ball-handler who does the little things well, Lundy has the size and skill to be a feature runner at the next level. Must get his game back on track yet offers a good degree of upside.

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#251 (Compensatory pick)

WR David Anderson Colorado State

Position: WR
Class: Sr
School: Colorado State
Conference: Mountain West
Ht., Wt.: 5-10.5, 192
40 Time: 4.62
Selected by: Houston Texans
Round 7, pick 43 (251 overall)
Grading System

BIO: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors every year since his sophomore campaign. Senior totals included 77/1,095/8 after junior numbers of 72/1,293/9.

POSITIVES: Reliable receiver on the college level. Fluid releasing off the line, displays sharpness running routes and catches the pass away from his frame. Immediately transitions to running after the reception, keeps the play in bounds, and always works to pick up positive yardage. Displays outstanding eye/hand coordination as well as a sense of timing. Gets vertical over defenders or extends in a crowd for the tough grab.

NEGATIVES: Lacks an explosive burst of speed and is not a downfield threat. Loses out battling larger opponents.

ANALYSIS: The go-to guy since his sophomore campaign, Anderson is an instinctive football player with great mental intangibles. Could develop as a No. 5 receiver in the NFL.