Would Jadeveon Clowney be the right choice at No. 1?

Nov 16, 2013; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks fullback Connor McLaurin (41) and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) and tight end Jerell Adams (89) celebrate following their 19-14 win over the Florida Gators at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

This week, in the Toro Times 7-round Houston Texans mock draft, I went a different route than I have been supporting since late December and had the Texans draft Jadeveon Clowney with the No. 1 overall draft choice.

Was that the right decision by me?

I did that because I was interested to see what I would do with a second round selection at quarterback, where the selection ended up being LSU QB Zach Mettenberger.

Being 6-5, 235 pounds, Mettenberger fits the criteria of a Bill O’Brien quarterback, and he did play against some very good competition in the SEC. Though he didn’t get to play in a bowl game this January due to an injury, Mettenberger had a fine season, passing for 3,082 yards for 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

So he could potentially be a nice second round selection for the Texans at QB.

As the headline states, “Would Jadeveon Clowney be the right choice at No. 1?” that’s the question I’ve been asking myself this week and I’m still undecided on the answer.

In an article Wednesday on SI.com Clowney was quoted as saying:

"“I want to be No. 1.”"

Texans owner Bob McNair is also high on Clowney, and the potential thought of the soon to be rookie defensive end pairing up with J.J. Watt on the Texans’ defensive line would give them one of the best pass rushes in the NFL.

Plus it would take off some of the pressure on Watt, as the focus would have to be split, and think how that would make Watt even better than he already is.

Another question is if Clowney going to be another Mario Williams who is a very good pro as he was the Texans’ No. 1 overall selection in 2006.

From 2006-11 Williams, while with the Texans played in 16 games his first four seasons, 13 games in season five and in his final year just five games due to an injury.

Since signing with the Buffalo Bills, Williams has continued his top play with 23.5 sacks in the past two seasons.

Clowney could put up the same type of numbers as Williams, and the difference with Clowney and Williams is Clowney will have Watt, one of the best defensive players in the entire NFL, on the other side of him.

That combination of Clowney and Watt could be too much for the Texans to pass up on.

I know the Texans really need a QB, but the defense took a step backwards last year, and with Romeo Crennel as the new defensive coordinator, imagine what he could do with the potential defensive line of Watt and Clowney.

Again, I ask, is Clowney the right player to draft at No. 1?

I’m glad I don’t have to make this decision.