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With the selection of Blaine Gabbert, the top ten of our mock draft is now complete. Two quarterbacks, two linebackers, three defensive lineman a corner and a tackle have been chosen already. This portion of the draft is where we can probably expect to see a lot of movement, however trades are not allowed in this mock as the assigned GMs are tasked with fixing their needs without movement. Let's go to the podium and see who Gary Kubiak and Wade Phillips select.
Draft Pick # 11
Team Name: Houston Texans
GM: I am Ironman!!
Selection: (CB) Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
Why the pick:
For Houston, this is a hard pick to tell you the truth, while Prince would definitely be an upgrade for the Secondary, so too would JJ Watt and Cameron Jordan help along the D-Line. Plus you have to figure in the fact that with this CBA still in the balance, any player that is drafted may not have a lot of practice time. However it really comes down to this; which upgrade would be the highest? So what I did was I went over and polled the members over at BRB (Battle Red Blog) They said that I should focus on OLB,which means either Robert Quinn or Aldon Smith, both of which remind me too much of Anthony Spencer. So that means that I will have to go a different direction. For me it comes down to three players, Cameron Jordan, JJ Watt, or Prince Amukmara. All three have the ability to come in and immediately contribute, so I have to go with Prince Amukamara. My reasons?
Houston has a few pieces along the DL and OLB, with Mario Williams @RDE, plus a few other players that Wade likes, however their Secondary is not only the worst in the league (yes there was one worse than Dallas) but they also have no depth at any position in the Secondary. By drafting Prince they could move Glover Quin or Prince himself over to FS thus filling two holes in the defense with one player. Prince is the second best CB in the draft, and could have gone to the Cowboys. He demonstrated the ability to keep up with NFL receivers at the Combine by posting a 4.38 40 while weighing in at 206 lbs. His game tape has shown that he could easily become an elite CB.
Follow the jump for analysis of the pick.
(Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)
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): 3-4 Defensive Tackle, 3-4 Defensive End, 3-4 Outside Linebacker, Free Safety, Cornerback
-- Threat Level Yellow (priority 5-6): Guard, Strong Safety
-- Threat Level Green (priority 9): Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Right Tackle, Tight End, Center, Left Tackle, 3-4 Sam MLB, 3-4 W MLB
-- Drafttek.com ranked #13 Overall, #2 at the position
-- Wes Bunting, National Football Post: #27 Overall, #3 at the position
Impression: A fluid, balanced corner who possesses only average deep speed, but looks like a guy capable of starting at a number of spots in an NFL secondary. However, I don't think he will ever be a real blue-chip corner.
-- CBSSports.com ranked #8 overall, #2 at the position
-- Scout.com ranked #7 overall, #2 at the position
-- Mike Mayock ranked #9 overall, #2 at the position
This kid is a gifted cornerback who can play press and can play off. Watch the game tape against Oklahoma State and Justin Blackmon, maybe the best one or two receivers in college last season, because there are some misnomers. The kid played a lot better than people give him credit for.
Man Coverage: Perfect NFL press-cover corner with his combination of size, strength and speed. Is patient in man coverage, reading the receiver's move and reacting quickly. Quick feet and smooth hips to turn and run, maintains contact with most any receiver down the sideline. Closes well when playing off the line, attacks midsection and wraps to tackle. Capable of playing very physically, especially in the five-yard area. Has the lateral movement to shadow jerk routes. Maintains cushion in his backpedal.
Zone Coverage: Owns the prototypical man-press build but has the closing speed and physicality to excel in zone coverage. Excellent anticipation of underneath throws, cuts under receivers to make a play on the ball with exceptional hand-eye coordination. Comes off deep routes to support shorter patterns to his side. Secure tackler who rarely gives up yards after the catch. Has dropped interceptions not thrown in his breadbasket. Fair foot speed in his backpedal, but needs to stay over his feet instead of leaning backward.
Closing/Recovery: Excellent closing speed for his size. Changes from pedal to forward motion quickly, plants hard and has a burst to the ball. Inconsistent recovery speed if frozen by double move, can get back into the play (and make a play on the ball) but quicker receivers seem to maintain separation.
Run Support: Has the size and aggressive nature to excel in run support. Willing cut tackler, gets into the thigh of the running back. Good strength to rip off receiver blocks, could be more consistent using his hands to disengage. Sticks his nose into piles and can stand up running backs coming with a head of steam.
Tackling: Excellent strength for the position, effective wrapping up receivers after the catch or cutting down backs in run support. Breaks down in space to avoid missed tackles. Will attack the shoulder pads of running backs to bring them down or force them out of bounds. Very effective cut tackler whether attacking the thighs of running backs or violently taking out the legs of receivers in the open field. Even when he does not bring down the ballcarrier, he gets enough to slow him down giving help time to arrive. Helps teammates finish off tackles in space. Could be more consistent getting off receiver blocks.
| Draft Pick | Team | 2010 Record | Assigned GM | Team Needs | Selection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carolina | (2-14) | Alexcomestokill | 4-3 DT, 4-3 DE, WR1, WR2, WR3, CB | AJ Green |
| 2 | Denver | (4-12) | Sean N | 4-3 DT, 4-3 DE, FS, SS, 4-3 OLB, 4-3 ILB, TE, ROT | Nick Fairley |
| 3 | Buffalo | (4-12) | BTB | Everything except RB and WR, Kitchen Sink | Marcel Dareus |
| 4 | Cincinatti | (4-12) | staubachfan | QB, 4-3 DT, WR, 4-3 DE, FS, 4-3 MLB, OG, OC | Patrick Peterson |
| 5 | Arizona | (5-11) | howboutdemcowboyz | QB, 3-4 OLB, CB, OG, LOT | Cam Newton |
| 6 | Cleveland | (5-11) | BlueEyedDevil | 4-3 DE, 4-3 OLB, 4-3 MLB, WR, FS, CB | Robert Quinn |
| 7 | San Francisco | (6-10) | regaberto | 3-4 DT, 3-4 OLB, CB, OC, QB | Von Miller |
| 8 | Tennesee | (6-10) | accidentalinnuendo | QB, CB, 4-3 DE, 4-3 OLB, 4-3 MLB | Da'Quan Bowers |
| 9 | Dallas | (6-10) | ChiaCrack | ROT, FS, OG, SS, CB, SILB, WILB, 3-4 DE, 3-4 OLB | Tyron Smith |
| 10 | Washington | (6-10) | Creasy729 | QB,RB, WR, OG, OC, 3-4DT, 3-4 OLB, FS, CB | Blaine Gabbert |
| 11 | Houston | (6-10) | I am Ironman! | 3-4 DE, 3-4 DT, 3-4 OLB, FS, CB | Prince Amukamara |
Minnesota and KJDH2154 are on the clock.