Posted on by bnwokedi

To Defense, or To Offense … That is the question posing the Houston Texans on May 8, 2014

With the No.1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans have to ask themselves one “very-simple” question: To Defense or To Offense? Regardless of which expert you chose to listen to the fact remains that on May 8, 2014 the Houston Texans will select Jadeveon Clowney or a quarterback with the number one pick. The top three quarterbacks in this year’s draft class are Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel, and Blake Bortles, and below I have compiled their college career stats:



 


Teddy Bridgewater is the most polished from the pocket of the three while Johnny Manziel is hands down the “most exciting” of the three. On the flip side, Blake Bortles is probably the most physically gifted of the three with the most pro-upside of the group. And when you consider the Texan’s quarterback play this past year, there is simply not doubt that the Texans clearly need an upgrade at this position (see Matt Schaub struggle face below):



This past season the Houston Texans’ passing game ranked an abysmal 22nd in completion % at 58.6%, 24th in yards per attempt at 6.02, 25th in touchdown passes with 19, and tied for 3rd in most interceptions this season with 22 (thank you Matt Schaub aka Mr. Pick Six). Additionally, the three Houston Texan QBs combined passer rating for the 2013 NFL season was 74.0 with a TD% rate of 3.0. The 16 combined passer ratings of their 16 opponents was 93.9 with a TD% rate of 6.0.


So without question, the Texans are in the market for a quarterback. But I am of the opinion that the top three QBs in this year’s draft class aren’t worthy of the No.1 pick. None of the three are “can’t miss” type QBs like Andrew Luck or RG3 (although some might say he was a miss based on this last year’s lack of productivity and character issues). And the rise of Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson prove that a future franchise QB can be found in the later rounds.


Given the uncertainty of the top three QB prospects and the gravity of missing with the No.1 overall pick (remember the Houston Texans once drafted David Carr No.1 and look how that turned out), it is my opinion that the Texans use the No.1 overall pick and draft Jadeveon Clowney.



Drafting Jadeveon Clowney and paring him with JJ. Watt would allow the Texans to create one of the most ferocious and relentless pass rushes in the league (similar to Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney for the Colts in the mid-2000s). He is the most physically gifted athlete in the 2014 draft and when he plays full tilt, he’s the most un-blockable player in this draft. And when you consider that the Texans play in the same division as Andrew Luck, building a stout front-seven makes more sense to me with the No.1 pick than risking it on Johnny Football, Mr. Bridgewater or Blake Bortles. 






Drafting Clowney doesn’t come without risk. During this past season he was often accused of “saving himself” and “taking plays off” as he struggled to give 100% effort on every play. His overall physical shaped was even questioned at the beginning of the season in the opener against North Carolina. And as the NFL continues to evolve into more “character-based” decision making, many NFL scouts have taken notice of these red flags when accessing Clowney’s draft stock. 





In 2006, the Texans were faced with a similar question with the No.1 overall pick and made the decision to draft Mario Williams over both Reggie Bush and Vince Young. I am asking owner Bob McNair and general manager Rick Smith to do the same thing …

Draft me a Clowney and find me a Russell Wilson in the later rounds!


P.S. Texans take a look at acquiring Kirk Cousins and drafting Jimmy Garoppolo from Eastern Illinois at QB. For those that don’t know who I am talking about Google him.