SB Nation Writers Mock Draft: Round 1, Pick #15

by Mocking Dan on Mar 29, 2009 6:00 PM EDT in SB Nation Writers Mock Draft Comment 6 comments

No. 15

HOUSTON
TEXANS
Pick by Battle Red Blog

Sean Smith
Cornerback
Utah

Tim at Battle Red Blog knows how to close out the day with a surprise. Take it away, Tim!

In 2008, the Houston Texans broke through offensively and finished third overall in total offense. The defense, however, struggled and finished 22nd overall in total defense. After the season, defensive coordinator Richard Smith was fired and an overhaul has begun to give the Texans a new defensive identity.

The run on defensive players in this mock is nightmarish for the Texans. Our first choice, of course, would be to trade down. Since that's not permitted, we're screwed. If we have to stay at 15, our fan base is divided between Malcolm Jenkins and Clay Matthews III, both of whom are gone. The prospect of a game-changer like Jeremy Maclin is tempting, but again, our defense needs help if we are to take the next step. Michael Johnson is also tempting because of his upside, but after the acquisition of Antonio Smith, Johnson would be relegated to playing only on third downs.

In our mind, this leaves Sean Smith of the University of Utah. Although his height initially worried scouts that his future was only as a free safety, Smith showed at his pro day that he is capable of playing CB by running a 4.43 40 and looking awfully impressive in positional drills. Not coincidentally, Smith started his collegiate career as a WR and has great ball skills because his experience there.

The Texans have never had a stud free safety, and we think Smith could be that guy. In his senior year, he totaled five (5) interceptions; what impressed us the most was the 151 return yards and the TD that came from those interceptions. At 6-foot-3, Smith would be a great asset if he could play not only FS but also occasionally switch to CB to neutralize the advantage a taller wideout typically has. Some might consider this selection a reach, but if Smith plays to his potential, the Texans will have a playmaker for their secondary and therefore would be vindicated.

MTD thoughts: I would be one of those people who would consider this a reach, only because Vontae Davis is still out there. His body type and playing style are better suited for safety than Smith's. Still, Smith will be a very good player in the NFL, maybe just not as dynamic as Davis.

Mocking the Draft's Top Five Remaining Prospects - RB Knowshon Moreno, MLB Rey Maualuga, WR Jeremy Maclin, CB Vontae Davis, RB Chris Wells

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Comments

Major reach

As a Houston native and long-time Texans follower, I think we should make it a point to draft the best player available at every point we have. We see top tier teams like Indianapolis and Pittsburgh doing this annually.

Don’t get me wrong: Sean Smith is a baller- long, agile, smooth and great cover skills. He’d be fantastic in an increasingly pass-happy AFC. However, at the point where Vontae Davis (universally acclaimed as either the #1 or #2 defensive backfield option), Smith isn’t the right choice.

Remember, we could hyper-upgrade that area AND still grab Smith by packaging the 4th round pick we received in the Sage trade. Trade the 4 and our 2 to move up in the 2nd round and grab Smith. No mock that I’ve seen has Smith going in the first round. Why pay top dollar for a player who, according to grading and performance, hasn’t measured up? I’m not saying we shouldn’t draft him: BUT, let’s price discriminate a little bit and make sure we are getting value for our buck.

by dearsiryes on Mar 29, 2009 6:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I've seen Smith to the Ravens

and been for it if Nicks, Davis and Heyward-Bey are off the board

I'm not racing, I'm just sprintin'
cuz I don't wanna finish
They diminish, I replenish.
-Lil Wayne "Let the Beat Build"

by shake n bake on Mar 29, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trading Down

Obviously, we would do it in a heartbeat if we were allowed to do so under the rules of this mock.

I’m not so convinced that Smith will be there in Round Two, so we weren’t willing to wait to see if we could get him at No. 46. We had enough concerns about Vontae Davis that we went with Smith here, though I completely understand the allegation that we reached.

Truth be told, the way the draft played out up to No. 14 blew me away. Never in a million years did I think Jenkins, Matthews, and Cushing would all be gone before we went on the clock.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Mar 29, 2009 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

i think

no doubt if everything ahead of us happened, we would trade down no matter what…

otherwise i wouldnt be suprised if we go maclin, moreno, or davis or johnson

by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Mar 29, 2009 6:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah... this just seems a stretch to take Sean Smith

when there’s a better defensive back on the board.

That being said, it is a weird spot for the Texans, where the talent that’s there just doesn’t fill needs.

by math_geek on Mar 29, 2009 6:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't really think it's a reach when you consider team needs.

I mean – the guy isn’t going to be there at 46, and you like him – so you take him. Vontae Davis is a CB, period, and there are some character issues there (which is a big part of the criteria for the Texans. Always has been.)

Smith is versatile. He could play safety, he might stick as corner – who knows? With the needs of this defense, he’s a great fit. Sure, 15 isn’t the ideal place to grab him, but it’s way too much of a risk to pass on him and hope he’s there in the second.

Also, it won’t surprise me much if both Cushing and Matthews are off the board come draft day. The team might actually find itself in this very predicament.

Chris - www.HoustonDiehards.com

by HoustonDiehards on Mar 30, 2009 12:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs