While most of the recent mock drafts have given the Texans either Robert Quinn or Prince Amukamara, Mocking The Draft’s Dan Kadar is a man after my own heart. By that, I mean that he knows that neither of them will actually be on the board at #11. With them off the board, Houston is free to pursue it’s 3-4 OLB agenda by selecting previous mock draft crush Aldon Smith. Here’s what Kadar has to say about the pick:
Aldon Smith | Defensive end/Outside linebacker | Missouri: As the Texans transition to Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense, it’s paramnout they add a pass rusher. Unless the team trades up to get Von Miller or Robert Quinn, Smith is arguably the best 3-4 rusher in this draft. Houston has a lot of good pieces in their front seven with Mario Williams at end and DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing at linebacker. A lot is also expected of Connor Barwin as a pass rusher in 2011. Still, Smith gives them an element they don’t currently possess.
- Scouting report -
It’s also worth noting that Kadar put up a draft of the second round, where he has the Texans selecting Utah CB Brandon Burton over Oregon State DT Stephen Paea. Why yes, that was the sound of my blood vessels popping. Thanks for asking.
If the Texans are really faced with the conundrum of Smith as the top-rated player on their board, I’d really hope that they trade down. After Quinn and Texas A&M’s Von Miller are gone, I don’t think any of the first/second round OLB’s have much to separate them from each other. Why go Smith when you could go Arizona OLB Brooks Reed or Nevada OLB Dontay Moch later?
Nevertheless, most mocks don’t incorporate trading down. So…Aldon Smith everyone! Are we happy?