Barry Ramey
04-26-2007, 03:59 PM
Not sure if this was posted yet, but according to this story, they aren't working out a deal with the Broncos at the moment and will wait to see who is there at #10 first. So we'll see.
April 26, 2007, 4:50AM
Texans remain up in air
GM Smith to see where best draft value takes him
By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/4750104.html
The Texans will not know what they are going to do in the first round of Saturday's draft until they learn what the teams picking ahead of them have done.
General manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak will stay in the 10th spot if they can draft a player they believe is worth that position. They also might trade down if they can acquire additional picks.
Contrary to a national report Wednesday, the Texans aren't in the process of working a trade with Denver, which is trying to move up from the 21st spot. It would take a slew of draft choices — and the Broncos are loaded — to get the Texans to move down that far.
"If you're in a position to move — and I certainly don't know if we're going to be in that position or not — what you do is to look at all of your different mechanisms you use to create value," said Smith, who is overseeing his first draft since being hired in June to replace Charley Casserly.
Smith enters the draft with six picks. He traded a second-round pick to Atlanta and swapped first-round positions with the Falcons to acquire quarterback Matt Schaub. Smith also sent a second-round pick in 2008 for Schaub.
It stands to reason that Smith would like to acquire additional picks, but he'll exercise caution before dealing down.
"If we're in a situation where we feel like we can add value to our team by adding picks, we'll do so," he said. "I don't know how that's going to play out, but we certainly will be open to all possibilities."
Smith, Kubiak and the college and pro staffs have graded every prospect available. They've gone over every possible scenario, including many mock drafts, so they'll be ready for any surprises.
"There are so many contingencies, and we want to be prepared for all of them," Smith said.
It appears the Texans could fill just about any position in the first round other than quarterback or linebacker. Smith signed veterans Shawn Barber and Danny Clark in free agency. He re-signed Shantee Orr and Charlie Anderson on Wednesday.
The most glaring needs are free safety, wide receiver, defensive end and offensive tackle. Smith could fill one of those needs in the 10th spot or trade down and fill one later.
For instance, if the Texans want a free safety and LaRon Landry is gone, as he's expected to be, Reggie Nelson will be available.
Every receiver other than Calvin Johnson should be available in the 10th spot, but none might be worth that high of a pick.
The second-best pass-rushing end is Jamaal Anderson, but he's rated far behind the best, Gaines Adams.
The best offensive tackle is Joe Thomas, and he'll be a top-five pick. The next best, Levi Brown and Joe Staley, should be available in the 10th spot.
Some teams like Brown at right tackle, and the Texans aren't interested in a player at that position because they like Eric Winston. Staley, whose stock is on the rise, might be available in the 15- to 20-pick range.
"We're worked hard to be prepared, and we're excited about the possibilities," Smith said.
john.mcclain@chron.com
April 26, 2007, 4:50AM
Texans remain up in air
GM Smith to see where best draft value takes him
By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/4750104.html
The Texans will not know what they are going to do in the first round of Saturday's draft until they learn what the teams picking ahead of them have done.
General manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak will stay in the 10th spot if they can draft a player they believe is worth that position. They also might trade down if they can acquire additional picks.
Contrary to a national report Wednesday, the Texans aren't in the process of working a trade with Denver, which is trying to move up from the 21st spot. It would take a slew of draft choices — and the Broncos are loaded — to get the Texans to move down that far.
"If you're in a position to move — and I certainly don't know if we're going to be in that position or not — what you do is to look at all of your different mechanisms you use to create value," said Smith, who is overseeing his first draft since being hired in June to replace Charley Casserly.
Smith enters the draft with six picks. He traded a second-round pick to Atlanta and swapped first-round positions with the Falcons to acquire quarterback Matt Schaub. Smith also sent a second-round pick in 2008 for Schaub.
It stands to reason that Smith would like to acquire additional picks, but he'll exercise caution before dealing down.
"If we're in a situation where we feel like we can add value to our team by adding picks, we'll do so," he said. "I don't know how that's going to play out, but we certainly will be open to all possibilities."
Smith, Kubiak and the college and pro staffs have graded every prospect available. They've gone over every possible scenario, including many mock drafts, so they'll be ready for any surprises.
"There are so many contingencies, and we want to be prepared for all of them," Smith said.
It appears the Texans could fill just about any position in the first round other than quarterback or linebacker. Smith signed veterans Shawn Barber and Danny Clark in free agency. He re-signed Shantee Orr and Charlie Anderson on Wednesday.
The most glaring needs are free safety, wide receiver, defensive end and offensive tackle. Smith could fill one of those needs in the 10th spot or trade down and fill one later.
For instance, if the Texans want a free safety and LaRon Landry is gone, as he's expected to be, Reggie Nelson will be available.
Every receiver other than Calvin Johnson should be available in the 10th spot, but none might be worth that high of a pick.
The second-best pass-rushing end is Jamaal Anderson, but he's rated far behind the best, Gaines Adams.
The best offensive tackle is Joe Thomas, and he'll be a top-five pick. The next best, Levi Brown and Joe Staley, should be available in the 10th spot.
Some teams like Brown at right tackle, and the Texans aren't interested in a player at that position because they like Eric Winston. Staley, whose stock is on the rise, might be available in the 15- to 20-pick range.
"We're worked hard to be prepared, and we're excited about the possibilities," Smith said.
john.mcclain@chron.com