We're now under 36 hours before the 2011 NFL Draft takes place in New York City, and all the Texans draft news continues to be focused on the possibility of a trade up. John McClain thinks the team will continue trying to trade up, but that Von Miller is likely out of their reach since they'd have to get up to the No. 2 overall spot that the Broncos hold. The Texans may not be able to trade up for Miller, but Patrick Peterson could be within reach:
Now, as far as the Texans and what could happen in the draft, they're definitely interested in trading up. They've talked to the Broncos, who have the second pick. The only way the Texans would be guaranteed of getting outside linebacker Von Miller or cornerback Patrick Peterson would be to trade with the Broncos, but Denver's price might be too high.
If Peterson starts to drop and is available at Cincinnati at four or Arizona at five, it wouldn't be as costly as moving into the second spot. But a lot of teams would be interested in Peterson at that point.
What price is too high for one of the four-best prospects, both of whom would fill needs? Denver might ask for the Texans' 1, 2 and 3 or a 1 this year and next year with something else this year? I'd give my first and second but no more. That's two starters.
It's been the position at this site that the Texans shouldn't waste a second of their time trying to trade up. I understand the reasoning behind it, but unless Houston absolutely went on a free agent spending spree to fill their holes, and with it looking more likely that the players and owners will revert to last years system where it takes six years to hit free agency that looks less likely than ever, it doesn't seem to benefit the Texans to make a win-now move. Especially with so many holes on the roster right now.
For his part, Texans GM Rick Smith effectively said that he'd consider anything while stonewalling a question about his intentions in the draft yesterday at a press conference:
"I have said all along I am not opposed to moving up or back. I've got history that dictates or says that. We've done both. We've moved up, we moved down. I think what drives me on draft day, or draft days now; we're trying to go into these three days and we're trying to come out with the strongest team that we can come out with. We're going to have opportunities to add some more players at some point to the team, but as we sit now, our goal is to come out of this draft a much stronger football team. If that means that we move back and acquire more picks and that opportunity presents itself, then we'll do it. If the opportunity presents itself for us to move up to acquire a player that we think is worth that, then we'll consider that as well. We've always considered moves either way because, again, the goal is to come out of the weekend as strong as we can."
With ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting that the Cardinals may be considering a trade down from their No. 5 overall slot, look for the official rumors to continue to trend in that direction for the Texans. If they aren't able to trade up, every bit of draft speculation from the insiders seems to scream a decision between Missouri linebacker Aldon Smith and Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara.
The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28, and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare: NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it out at SB Nation's NFL Draft page and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking the Draft.