The 2021 NFL Draft...

[NJC33]

17 minutes ago, ET80 said:

His own agent denied much of that smoke:

This isn't exactly an indictment against the Jets? I'm sure most of what's being 'reported' is fabricated, but it was also his agent who provided much of that smoke: "Posting on his Instagram story, the car saleman says he wants Watson to join the Eagles. But Mulugheta says they need the car to turn “Jet green.”

36 minutes ago, ET80 said:

I'm not saying the Jets WILL suck - but it's been nearly 10 years since they were relevant. Anything past a 3-5 year revival is usually an indictment on the owner, not the different regimes coming in and out of the franchise...

It's not a coincidence that bad owners have bad football teams - Cal McNair, Mark Davis, Jimmy Haslem - and that stink doesn't really leave until the owner leaves. 

I think this is most likely. 

It just seemed really odd to me that the two teams that were "preferred destinations" for Watson were two teams with multiple picks in this draft and picks in the top 3 (NYJ, Miami). And it seems as if the other franchise who fits this criteria (Jacksonville) is suddenly coming up in Watson talk (check ESPN). Is it a coincidence that picks 1/2/3 are suddenly either interested in Watson or Watson is interested in? Is it a coincidence that all three teams have multiple picks in this years' first round?

If I'm a betting man, that source close to Watson is someone inside the Texans organization, trying to fetch the biggest possible deal for him. 

I think there's likely validity to both sides. Obviously the Texans have a vested interest in pumping the Jets/Miami hype, and from what I've read about Watson, I don't think it's a stretch to think he'd openly embrace NYC/South Beach. More notably -- he likely recognizes that both teams give him the best chance out. The Texans were never going to balk at a more favorable offer to appease Watson in a potential trade. If the reports coming out of Houston are as advertised, it's easy to imagine Watson having talked himself into NYJ/Miami as potential landing spots -- which then likely got misconstrued into "his two preferred destinations". 

[ET80]

29 minutes ago, NJC33 said:

This isn't exactly an indictment against the Jets? I'm sure most of what's being 'reported' is fabricated, but it was also his agent who provided much of that smoke: "Posting on his Instagram story, the car saleman says he wants Watson to join the Eagles. But Mulugheta says they need the car to turn “Jet green.”

It's as much of an indictment as the bolded is an endorsement, IMO. 

I think we can agree that there's a lot of funny reporting going on as of late - and instead of trying to take a Freud-esque lens to it, we can concede the bigger point of how Watson views anywhere as better than Houston. He'll waive the trade clause for anybody.

29 minutes ago, NJC33 said:

I think there's likely validity to both sides. Obviously the Texans have a vested interest in pumping the Jets/Miami hype, and from what I've read about Watson, I don't think it's a stretch to think he'd openly embrace NYC/South Beach.

Strictly from a financial sense, Miami makes more sense - no state income tax can outweigh the windfall of the media explosion in NY (which is a bit of a misnomer nowadays - the two biggest marketable names in the NFL play for Kansas City, MO and Tampa, Florida/Boston, Massachusetts. #3 name is probably in Green Bay, WI - when you're elite, marketing finds you). 

NYC has its appeal, but that same appeal can turn into its own demon - how many athletes in NY have been completely destroyed by "Page six" type media/gossip? How quickly does the NY media turn on Watson if he has a down year next season?

There is upside to NY, but there's is downside to NY too.

[NJC33]

14 minutes ago, ET80 said:

Strictly from a financial sense, Miami makes more sense - no state income tax can outweigh the windfall of the media explosion in NY (which is a bit of a misnomer nowadays - the two biggest marketable names in the NFL play for Kansas City, MO and Tampa, Florida/Boston, Massachusetts. #3 name is probably in Green Bay, WI - when you're elite, marketing finds you). 

NYC has its appeal, but that same appeal can turn into its own demon - how many athletes in NY have been completely destroyed by "Page sux" type media/gossip? How quickly does the NY media turn on Watson if he has a down year next season?

There is upside to NY, but there's is downside to NY too.

Plenty of downside & recent memory to substantiate such.  I just view Watson as someone with the attitude & mentality to thrive in a high stakes environment and certainly not someone who would be intimidated by it (which is often the problem).

As for the marketing piece, believe it or not, Odell still rakes in the most money off endorsements (roughly $29M annually) and practically all of which originated when he was with the Giants -- even crazier, Eli is sixth on the list. I don't think it's a misnomer, rather neither team has had a star worthy of such regard.

[Pastor Dillon]

I think the Texans will hold on to Watson unless someone throws out some kind of amazing deal. Tua and 4 1sts or something like that. Watson just has zero leverage. The new rules don’t allow a team to forgive daily fines and Watson would owe nearly 4 million before the season even starts. He’s not gonna do that. 

[jch1911]

Looking at this thread... oh how the times have changed.

Anyway, presuming no DW4 trade (haha! amirite!?!)

I would like to see something like this (as of now)

 

Trade T Charlie Heck to KC for 4-136

 

3-67 CB Ifeatu Melifonwu (SYR)

4-109 G/C Kendrick Green (IL)

4-136 (from KC) Edge Ellerson Smith (N. IA)

5-147 NT Bobby Brown III (TAMU)

5-158 T Tommy Doyle (MiamiOH)

6-195 LB Nick Niemann (IA)

6-203 traded to CHA for QB Teddy Bridgewater (who agrees to rework his contract)

6-212 TE Tre McKitty (GA)

7-233 WR Michael Strachan (ChSo)

 

UDFA

QB Feleipe Franks (AR)

RB Chris Evans (MI)
DL Kenny Randall (ChSo)

CB Brandon Stephens (SMU)

S Tyler Coyle (PUR)

 

Also my guess at a first 53

QB Taylor // Bridgewater // Finley // Watson (exempt list) // (PS - Franks)

RB Lindsay // Ingram // Johnson // (PS - Evans)

WR Cooks // Cobb // Conley // Coutee // Roberts // (PS - Coulter, Strachan)

TE Akins // Brown // Warring // Izzo // (PS - McKitty)

T Tunsil // Howard // Johnson // Doyle 

IOL Scharping // Britt // Cannon // Green // Toner // (PS - Froholdt, Cabral)

 

DE / Edge Lawson // Mercilus // Omenihu // Greenard // E. Smith

DT Blacklock // Brown III // Collins  // Taylor // (PS - Randall)

LB Cunningham // Pierre-Louis // Kirksey // Jenkins // Martin // Grugier-Hill // (PS - Niemann)

CB Roby // Melifonwu // King // Mitchell // Crossen // John Reid // (PS - Stephens)

SAF Justin Reid // Johnson Jr. // Moore // Murray // (PS - Owens, Coyle)

ST K Fairbairn // P Johnston // LS Weeks (AKA Da GOAT)

 

[Texansfan713]

Have yall been researching draft prospects at all?  It's hard to with us only picking round 3.  Hopefully this is the last year we are ever picking this late. 2 times in the last 5 drafts is unacceptable. 

[LORK88]

6 hours ago, Texansfan713 said:

Have yall been researching draft prospects at all?  It's hard to with us only picking round 3.  Hopefully this is the last year we are ever picking this late. 2 times in the last 5 drafts is unacceptable. 

Yes and no. The Athletic put out a 300+ prospect writeup called "The Beast" that I've been reading every now and then. Soccer is keeping me entertained with the rise and fall of the Super League. Dallas Stars are 1 spot out of the playoffs. The new Ted Lasso season 2 trailer came out. It's been a day. 

[Texansfan713]

I'll make the official draft thread on Weds.  I'm definitely not looking forward to seeing our division mates get better in the draft and make several picks before we even make our 1st one.  I hope we go defense only in this draft.  We need help at every unit on defense.  If its a WR that falls in round 3 that has potential I wouldnt mind taking one.

 

Edited April 26, 2021 by Texansfan713

[Pastor Dillon]

Hopefully we can add a player or two that can help. I’m still hopeful that a few of last years picks will be decent. Blacklock has potential 

[Texansfan713]

not really going to judge Cesario's first draft harshly. I hope we can have 1 or 2 long term starters from this year's draft.

[LORK88]

12 hours ago, Texansfan713 said:

not really going to judge Cesario's first draft harshly. I hope we can have 1 or 2 long term starters from this year's draft.

I fully expect us to trade a ton on day 3 of the draft. He seems to be a numbers guy and recognizes that the more at bats you have, the better odds you have of finding some starters on day 3. 

[ET80]

Gut instinct tells me we're trading Watson tomorrow, and we'll get a good bit for it. Not as much as we could have received, but a lot to jumpstart a rebuild...