What if the Texans pass on Clowney?

Clowney is the number one sure fire pick that will give the Texans the best defensive line in football. Right? But what if he’s not. What if the Texans pass on the defensive monster we have grown to know and love/fear. Before I continue, let me say that I don’t think Clowney is a bust and I do think he will be the #1 pick, but draft day is always full of surprises. One thing is for sure; what the Texans do at #1 will effect how the entire draft plays out.

So the draft is officially open and the Texans are on the clock. Every mock draft from mine to draft analyst Mike Mayock’s has Clowney going here. The pick is in. Rodger Goodell walks to the podium, “With the first pick in the 2014 NFL draft the Houston Texans select…”. Now 3 things could happen here. One, they could take Clowney and I could stop writing. Two, they take Outside linebacker Khalil Mack who is considered by some to be a superior football player to Clowney. A report came out earlier this week saying that the Texans General Manager even preferred Mack to Clowney. This could just be a smoke screen trying to attract a potential trade partner or he could be serious. Then there is option three: they take Quarterback Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles.

So lets go with option number two. The Texans take Khalil Mack with the first pick in the draft. Now the Rams are on the clock at #2, most likely frantically fielding phone calls from half the league wanting to trade up to take Clowney. The Rams could select Clowney or Greg Robinson, the top tackle, right here and apart from the first two picks everyone’s mock drafts play out as planned, but that’s no fun.

To move up to #2 in the draft is not cheap as we saw a few years ago when the Redskins traded with the Rams to move up and select RGIII, which is how they got this pick in the first place. The Rams have a huge need at tackle and by trading back in the top 10, they could still select a top tackle and stockpile draft picks for years to come. So which team in the top 10 needs a pass rusher? Without a doubt it’s the Atlanta Falcons who hold the #6 pick. So the Falcons pick up the phone and make a deal for the #2 pick. For sure, this trade would include swapping first rounders this year. The Rams now pick at #6 as well as several other high level picks next year. So now the Falcons are on the clock and their representative sprints to the podium with his card holding Clowney’s name. Now the best two defensive players are off the board.

So now the Jaguars are on the clock at #3, with Khalil Mack and Clowney gone they take a shot on QB Johnny Manziel.

Now it’s the Browns at #4, with Johnny Football gone, they grab the best guy available, wide receiver Sammy Watkins.

The Oakland Raiders hold the #5 pick and could go in any direction. Through free agency they showed that they are a team that wants to win now. Then they signed Matt Schaub (Questionable) whose former team picked at #1 mostly thanks to his play. They could take a quarterback, but I think they make the smart move and select offensive tackle Greg Robinson, who has been the main victim of the Rams trade so far.

Now the Rams are back on the clock at # 6 with their pick of the other two top tackles in the draft. They select Jake Matthews out of Texas A&M to protect the injured Sam Bradford. The Rams also pick again at #13, which was their original pick for this years draft.

Following my mock draft, lets assume that the Bucs grab Mike Evans, Minnesota lands Blake Bortles, Bills get Eric Ebron, Lions get Justin Gilbert, Titans get Anthony Barr, and the Giants get Taylor Lewan.

Now the Rams are back on the clock for the third time in the first round at #13. They select the best safety in college football, Alabama’s Ha Ha Clinton Dix.

So when it’s all said and done and the picks are in, the Rams stand as the winner on draft day if the Texans pass on Clowney at #1. The Rams get a top tackle to protect their QB and the top safety to secure a struggling secondary- all while stocking up multiple first round picks for years to come.

Stay tuned for option #3 to see what would happen if the Texans take a quarterback with the first pick in the 2014 NFL draft.