Our almighty Texans beat writer has finally mocked, for the first time this year, his draft. In this draft, the Houston Chronicle's John McClain took Robert Quinn for the Texans with the #11 overall pick. While this isn't an especially bold pick among mock drafters, it's still interesting to see McClain run with it as the most well-connected Texans writer out there. The Texans value character so highly among their draftees that there was a chance Quinn's suspension from North Carolina for accepting gifts would affect his status in the eyes of the brass. Apparently McClain hasn't gotten those indications, which is a good sign for the Texans picking up the talented edge rusher they'll need to run Wade Phillips' 3-4 system.
11 Houston Robert Quinn, OLB, North Carolina If he hadn't missed his junior year because of a suspension this 6-4, 265-pound talent wouldn't have been on the board at this point.
It remains likely that the Texans will embrace a strategy at #11 that involves hoping Quinn, Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones, or Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara falls to them. If not, they could be a prime target for a trade down, particularly if Auburn QB Cam Newton or MIssouri QB Blaine Gabbert are still on the board and a team wants to jump ahead of the quarterback-hungry Vikings before they can snatch them up.