Houston Texans Draft: Jadeveon Clowney or Khalil Mack?
Sep 7, 2013; Athens, GA, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) walks on the field in between plays in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
If the Houston Texans are to select a defensive player with the No. 1 overall selection on Thursday, May 8 to kickoff the 2014 NFL Draft, would you prefer the team select Jadeveon Clowney or Khalil Mack?
Clowney, the South Carolina defensive end, is a favorite of many, while some say Mack, a linebacker from Buffalo, could be a better all-around pro.
Sep 7, 2013; Waco, TX, USA; Buffalo Bulls linebacker Khalil Mack (46) and linebacker Lee Skinner (24) and linebacker Blake Bean (33) prepare to face the Baylor Bears during the game at Floyd Casey Stadium. The Bears defeated the Bulls 70-13. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Texans need to add more of a pass rush this season, especially facing Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck twice a season, so defense is a must for this team if not in the first round, most certainly the second round.
On The MMQB by Peter King on Monday, he writes about the NFL Draft, including the Texans and the No.1 overall selection.
In his weekly MMQB column King writes a friend of Rick Smith (the Texans general manager) says the GM prefers Mack over Clowney.
The MMQB article states this opinion by King:
"“I still think the Texans would go with a more sure thing with the first overall pick than a quarterback … imagine Mack, the outside linebacker from the University of Buffalo, being the first pick in a stacked draft.”"
That would be a surprise and think of the reaction on both ESPN and the NFL Network analysts if that were to occur.
I don’t believe Mack will be the No. 1 overall selection over Clowney, but he is a solid Top 10 selection in this draft, that I do believe.
I like both players, but if I were the Texans, I’m skipping on a QB with the No. 1 overall selection, because the more and more I think about it, I’m not 100-percent sold on these guys being better than QBs than those who will be available in Rounds 2 or 3, unlike I am with Clowney, and even Mack at their positions.
King also brought up Auburn offense tackle Greg Robinson being a sure thing as well. It is no secret the Texans could use another offensive tackle opposite of Duane Brown, but I believe their pass rush needs more improvement than their offensive line when using the No. 1 pick.
If 2013 proved anything in the NFL, it is the old saying “Offensive wins games, defensive win championships” is as true as ever.
So the question to all all of you is, if the Texans select defense with the No. 1 overall pick, would you want Clowney or Mack?
Either way, I think the Texans would be getting a player that would be on their roster for years to come.
Let’s us know what you think.
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