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Our community mock kicks off with the Houston Texans and the number one selection.
Welcome to the 2014 BTB Community Draft! This is our favorite opportunity to interact with our community and allow them some front-page limelight, while simultaneously getting our first in-depth look at several candidates for the draft's first round.
This will be much more than just one community member's idea of how to help out their assigned teams. After each selection is forwarded to me, I will gather all of the pertinent information about this prospect from some of the internet's best draft resources. We will try to highlight the profile's best and worst traits, so that our reader's are highly educated come May 8th when these guys names are called.
To keep things simple, no trades are allowed; I think for a one round exercise that does little to actually project how things are going to turn out. One GM, one team, one pick. Let's get it on!
Draft Pick #1
Team Name: Houston Texans
GM: TheIronCowboy09
Selection: (DE/OLB) Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
Why the pick: Most think Texans need a quarterback. But they already have young blood that showed promise in Case Keenum. They can get QBs with potential later in the draft. Clowney will immediately make this defensive line something to fear for years to come. With J. J. Watt and Clowney in a quarterback's face all day this defense will be much improved. Not to mention this pick is BPA. All of the AFC South just pooped their pants a little.
HIGH PRIORITY TEAM NEEDS (lower number indicates higher priority) according to Drafttek.com
-- Threat Level Red (priority 1-2): None
-- Threat Level Orange (priority 3-4): Quarterback, 3-4 Outside Linebacker, Cornerback, 3-4 Defensive End, Feature Wideout
-- Threat Level Yellow (priority 5-6): Feature Running Back, Guard, Tight End, Inside Linebacker, 3-4 Defensive Tackle, Free Safety, Right Tackle, Left Tackle
-- Threat Level Green (priority 9): Fullback, COP Back, Center, Speed Receiver, Strong Safety
-- Drafttek.com ranked #1 Overall, #1 at the position
-- National Football Post: #1 Overall, #1 at the position
-- CBSSports.com ranked #1 overall, #1 at the position
-- DraftInsider.Net ranked #1 overall, #1 at the position
-- OptimumScouting.com ranked #1 overall, #1 at the position
-- DraftCountdown ranked #1 overall, #1 at the position
-- Scout.com ranked #1 overall, #1 at the position
-- Mike Mayock ranked #1 at the position
-- Josh Norris ranked #2 overall, #1 at the position
-- NFLDraftScout.com profile (Rob Rang):
STRENGTHS:
Exceedingly rare combination of size, explosiveness, strength, speed and technique. Times the snap well and possesses true explosiveness out of his stance to cross the face of the left tackle. Exceptional burst off the snap with lateral agility and an array of pass rush moves.
Simply too quick for trap blocks, consistently flashing into the backfield to beat oncoming blockers (as in the case of the famous Michigan tackle for loss, forced and recovered fumble). Good flexibility to dip around the tackle's reach, turn the corner sharply and close on the quarterback in a flash.
Uses his hands well to fight through blockers' attempts to corral him, demonstrating refined hand placement and impressive strength. Does not rely on his outside speed rush, complementing his burst with an equally effective interior rush due to a terrific swim move and very good lateral agility.
Frequently used on twists and stunts, in which he loops inside to attack slower-footed interior linemen, demonstrating the toughness and athleticism to handle inside duties. Only occasionally asked to rush from the two-point (stand-up) stance, but is effective here, as well, making him potentially equally valuable as a rusher in the 3-4 alignment.
Far from just a pass rusher. Uses his terrific quickness off the snap to stop running plays before blockers can get to him and shows underrated core strength to anchor when they do. Rarely is blocked for long and shows good vision to locate the ball, as well as the hustle to pursue downfield. Generates great closing speed to force some eye-popping collisions which resulted in eight forced fumbles over his first two seasons of NCAA football.
WEAKNESSES:
Could struggle to match the unrealistic expectations that come with his hype. Disappears for stretches of the game, raising some questions about his level of conditioning.
Typically too athletic for cut-blocks but was knocked to the ground on occasion and is more vulnerable to these blocks than many pass-rushers due to his long legs. Good awareness and reaction to the quarterback's attempt to loft passes over the top of him, showing impressive timing and leaping ability to knock passes down but less-than-ideal ball-skills to complete the interception.
Announced that he is planning to undergo post-season surgery to remove bone spurs in his right foot, which could keep him from participating in the 2014 Scouting Combine, should he declare early for the draft.
'13 Clowney vs Tennessee (LT Tiny Richardson, RT Ju'Wuan James)
'12 Clowney vs Michigan (LT Taylor Lewan)
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