Defensive personnel analysis | Texans All Access

Published Mar 26, 2025, 3:31 AM
The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Alexander joined the show and the Texans Radio Crew also shared their thoughts on the current personnel on the defensive side of the ball.

Hello, Taxans, Welcome to the show. Mark vandermir John Harris with you. We are in the Hyundai Texans Radio studio, ready to rock. Jonathan Alexander will join us at about a half hour from now from the Houston Chronicle. He's in Florida early prep for the NFL annual meeting, and by early prep, I mean I think he's on vacation.

But he's gonna join us anyway. Now. The meeting is.

They call it the meeting, the meeting, it's not the meetings, even though there are multiple meetings there and they sort of subtitle it. Other people do the owners meetings. That'll start taking place on Sunday. The show will originate from their Monday Tuesday, and we'll have plenty of guests, including but not limited to, Tamiko Ryans, Nick Cassario, cal and Hannah McNair scheduled to appear as well. Can't wait for all of that. It's gonna be fun. But anyway, Johnny, how are you doing doing well?

Doing well?

Just we are less than a month away from the draft and so that's both fantastic and scary all at the same time, because there's still a lot of work to do.

For you. Yeah, to get ready. He's ready. I know you are. I know as well, you should be.

This could be a fun draft and just kind of reading, you know, just doing different mock drafts myself, just reading what people are saying. This could be a really exciting Thursday night, really exciting, and it could throw us a major curve ball just based on like, man, there might be a couple of guys there that we need to anticipate being there.

Well, I asked Jonathan this question, yep, is cam Moore to lock at number one after the pro day yesterday?

And I'll ask you the question now.

He he's a lust to be He's definitely QB one, Okay, there's no doubt.

And he's been QB one for me for a while. He's QB one. But is he picked number one?

Yeah? He should be.

Okay, he should be one tightsand one Browns one Giants need one. Yeah, one of those three is taking him.

But if you're the Titans.

Now the question becomes, if you're the Titans and you get some sort of sweetheart deal at the last minute, I don't anticipate. I just think they're gonna lock in. Look this this guy has everything we're looking for. He's got charisma, poised, calm, he's tough, he's confident, he's everything you really want a quarterback.

Where would he rank in last year's class for me? Yeah, pre draft obviously we don't have it worked out with Jayden Daniels.

He would win four. So behind Nicks, behind Drake may.

Behind Nicks, just a shade in front of Penix.

Okay, just in front of Patticks.

So it would have gone for me, Caleb, Caleb, Jaden, Drake may Ward, Pennix.

Oh oh, Pennix, Nicks, gotcha.

I think that's the way last year's class might turn out to be so great, absolut historically.

I mean, I it's funny because Nicks was a guy that during the season, as I watched him, I'm like, man, I like what he's doing. I think he's better than people think. I didn't think first round, but I thought, you know, he's a little better anything. And then I saw him the Senior Bowl and it was a it was not a good Senior Bowl. It was not a good Senior Bowl. And like it was alarming to me how bad it was, and so I kind of backed off, like, no, I think he's definitely a second rounder, like I don't I don't see I don't see him being a first runner. And he goes at pig number twelve, And it just goes to show that fit is.

That much more important, and coaching and coaching.

Fit and coaching, and obviously fit and coaching work hand in hand. They fit together, and he got great coaching, and he had some talent around him. You know, if it's a line that protected him. He had a pretty good offensive line in Denver Miners Bulls. These guys do a pretty good job there, and he flourished and he got better and better every week, and I think that was a that was the key. Now the question becomes, all right, can you do it in the second year. The one thing about bo Nicks is he's a little older, so he's been through it. He faced adversity, He had to leave Auburn, where his dad was not a legend but did some great things as the starting quarterback. He had to leave Auburn and go to Oregon and kind of set his own path. And I think he did it. And it just goes to show guys like Jackson Dart, Tyler Schuck can't rule those guys out. You really can't get to the next guy. I think Dartston. To me, the question would be for me, he's Dart the guy or Sanders. And I know a lot of people be like, ah, well, everybody all this draft season has been telling you it's cam Wardsdoor Sanders, km Ward Schdor Sanders. So when Jackson Dart's name gets brought up, people are like, oh, oh, yeah, this is just a hot thing at the moment.

And you know, people have listened to us for a while.

When I talked up with this quarterback class, I talked about Jackson Dart like I felt his game is not quite as mature back then as it was now. I think he's really developed. I think he is a gym rat kind of guy. And I think that there might be some teams looking at it going.

Jackson Dart over Sanders now draft night. I don't think that happens.

I think somebody's gonna jump in on Shdure and they're gonna go with it. They're gonna very comfortable with him, and they're gonna go with it and they'll be happy with it. But I think Jackson Dart is gonna make it to you. I think Jackson Dart's in the first round. I think Pittsburgh is definitely a team to watch for that. Uh he's you know, it's brought up there. Or team trading back up into the first round from the second round that wants to go get Jackson Dart. I could see that because there's gonna be a long stretch of teams that don't need it. You know, Dallas picking at twelve, they don't need it. San Francisco's got their guy at eleven.

You know.

Now, the Colts would be interesting, but I don't think they would do it, considering they put money into Daniel Jones, not Tom but some and then Anthony Richardson. So I think quarterback on Thursday Night. And here's the thing I hope that happens. I hope a team in the top twenty four talks themselves in the Tyler Shuck too.

Just push another player down.

The board to us, what are the odds of Titans, Browns, Giants? You have Ward Sanders, Dart, one, two three. I've it could happen, No, it could. There's no doubt it could happen. Because all three knee quarterbacks. Yeah, they all three knee quarterbacks. What I hate about that situation is.

Then at that point, if those three do go one, two, three, that pushes at Dual Carter or Travis Hunter to the Jacksonville Jaguars right into the hands of the magnificent Gladstone.

Oh, I don't look like a genius. Yes, because he got lucky.

He got lucky.

He got one of the two lead players in this draft, because quarterbacks are gonna want two three. Now, you could play the game and it might happen. We're one of those three teams because I think Tennessee's at thirty five, the Browns are at thirty three. I don't know where the Giants are in his second round.

The Giants are thirty four. Okay, so they're thirty three thirty four to thirty five. Whichever of those three teams passes on a quarterback or doesn't get one of those two. I mean, if if Ward goes one and Sanders goes two, where the Giants compelled to take dirt there because they're not gonna be able. Are the Giants then gonna play the game of you know what, Look, we're gonna.

Take our chances. We're gonna take him dual Carter here.

But the oppositly Brian Burns, but they already have Kavon Thibodau, Brian burn Out.

They probably take Travis Hunter.

So let's say they take Travis Hunter, and then we'll trade up from thirty four to back into the first round and go get Jackson Dart. At that point, that's a dicey. That's a game of guts poker.

It is. I don't know that I'm comfortable playing if i'm.

But who else? Who else could take Dart at that point? It won't be the Patriots, Jags, Raiders, No, not after the Geno deal.

They don't take a quarterback. Not not.

Maybe the Jets though even though they have Field, the Jets, Panthers, no, Saints maybe maybe right, So.

You do have some Canada here, you do, and I would imagine the one spot you definitely have to get in front of is the Steelers, because if the Steelers have Jackson Dart one o'clock, or even should your Sanders at twenty one, I got to think the Steelers are taking a quarterback, whether they take Aaron Rodgers or not, or whether he signs with him or not.

Well, we know Russell Wilson's not going He's not going back. It does not sound good. Yeah, there's not sound blood there. There would have to be some relationship repairing.

They would have to go to a private island and sit and get things right, fly back, and then all is hunky dory at that point.

But I don't see that happening. So let's say Aaron Rodgers does go to Pittsburgh. You take it so long, just go to tear freaking Rogers Corsea. This is a good team that won ten games each of the last two years. You jump out of that team. Now you're with a true winning team. The Jets were projected to be a winning team team. This is an actual winning team with not a very good quarterback situation each of the last two years, yet somehow won ten with you.

If you're worth anything.

You should be able to win at least ten again and then take it from there because you will be in the postseason.

I'm with you. I would fire the Steers. I wouldn't even mess with it.

But then I'd have to have a plan and long term, right, relatively long term. I mean, maybe it's even just a bridge plan to get to twenty twenty six.

But you're wasting your CJ.

Watt and Cam Hayward's like final years, and you can't do that.

To them because by the time.

You get you, oh, we're gonna get this quarterback situation figured out in the next two three years, Well what do they got left?

Then?

It's the most Pittsburgh thing. What it is really is very much.

It goes to show you they're kind of they're a better version of the Colts post Andrew luck right, they win more games, they get to the playoffs, but they don't get anywhere in the playoffs, and they've been trying to replace the quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with whatever they can find, and it's just not working as well as they would like it to.

If I the Giants, I'm seeing it three. I know Russell Wilson isn't going to be the the Soup d jore, but it doesn't look like Rodgers is going to It looks like Rodgers and the Steelers. Maybe I'm the Giants, I signed Russell Wilson, put him with Jameis Winston, and then draft the young I mean, you already got Tomy DeVito there, so maybe draft the young dude at that point.

But they have any hope in DeVito. No, no, I don't think at the stage.

You know, ticket easy. I don't think so, I don't. I don't think, but that's them. I don't know, but I if I the Giant might I might play this to the hill, Like, okay, quarterbacks went one two. I'm not gonna go draft Jackson Dart at three just because he's the next quarterback on the board. We're gonna go sign. We're gonna sign Russell Wilson. Where let him compete with Jameis Winston. And at the top of the second round, that's when we'll start kind of listening or watching and seeing what's happened, and we'll listen to the drum beat of man is Jackson dark gonna go to one of these picks in the twenties? Do we need to go up? If not, do we go with Tyler Shuck? Do we go at Jaylen Milroe. Maybe Jaln Milroe gets, you know, a call from the Giants, which would be all kinds of I think that's a good.

Move for them.

Use Jalen Milroe X factor excitement exactly right, and he might turn into something.

I think Jaylen Milroe is.

Really not a tremendous quarterback, but he's a hell of a football player, and he throws the ball outside the numbers extremely well. And if you're the Giants and you've just taken Travis Hunter, and you've already got my league neighbors, and now you got that guy in Jaylen Milroe, that doesn't have to be ready right away. If you've got James and or you Russell Wilson.

If I if my target, and how could he be a target? Really, Jail and Milro, you're gonna have to sort of fall into that plan. I don't want Wilson on the team. I'm okay with Fields. I just feel like Wilson is a divider at this stage, more than a bringer together, you know. And but Jamis, But Jamis would be good. Jamis's unifier. He's a unifier.

Jamis kind of run his thing, and maybe Jalen ends up there. I mean, they could do something if they Saquon Barkley with Jaylen Mirrow.

Look at solving the Giants problems for them. That's what we do here. We're so charitable.

Let me think about it.

The Eagles would have Jail, the Eagles have Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. What if Barkley stayed with the Giants, and then you had Jalen Milroe and you.

Could take one Barkley. You could do something. You could do some things. You could get fields and fields in. Barkley, could do some things, couldn't but could have shut a water under the bridge.

Whatever. We'll see how it all works out for them.

All right, let's continue Now we're gonna have Jonathan alexandern At. I hate saying this because this is such a radio crutch the bottom of the hour, everybody, do you know what that is? Honey, dinner at the bottom of the hour.

Bottom, I'll beat you at the top of the hour.

Now at six thirty we're gonna have Jonathan Alexander on. But yesterday you brought this up. We were talking about different assessments of different teams in the AFC South, starting out with the Houston Texans, of course, taking inventory. We started with the Texans offense, then we went to the rest of.

The division at large.

So let's do this Texans defense inventory time. Johnny, here we go, because on defense this looks nice. Now you have two big acquisitions here, and let's start on the D line with Sheldon Rankins back in the fold, and if we had the Texans playing this weekend, he's starting alongside at defensive tackle either Mario Edwards Junior or Tim Settle right, all right, one of those two guys. But we all know it's a big rotation because Kurt Heinis is back, Tommy Togi I, who may plays last year, he's back. But I feel like something's missing. Deniko Watry can play inside and outside, so he can rotate inside for these pass rush situations. We're feeling pretty good about the defensive tackle spot right now. Yet we all say they could draft somebody relatively early in this coming draft.

I would don't think it would be a surprise. In fact, I'm taking inventory. That's that's what I feel like. Is is I don't say lacking, but you know, Sheldon's about three hundred pounds. Mario Edwards Junior might be at two ninety five by the end of the season. You know, Heinis is about three h five. TOGII is maybe to eighty five. Not big, they're not big now Settles the biggest you have and Tim's pretty well put together guy. And Tim had a tremendous season last year. I think it was his best season.

He's ever had.

I mean, he's tremendous, but it feel like you still need a size piece. Okay, three to fifteen plus. I was actually just watching I was watching Oregon Michigan or I say, Michigan State.

No, why a second Oregon Ohio State.

And I was looking at Michigan State transfer to Oregon Derek Harmon, and I'm watching him, and I think, because that's the way I watch these guys now, like how would they fit in our defense? And I watch Harmon three fifteen six'. Five he's playing on the. Edge at, Times i'm, like why is he out? Here he loops inside on pass. Rush he's dominating the. Game Derek harmon's game Against Ohio. State you watch. That that's arguably one of the best game any interior defensive alignment had in twenty twenty.

Four it was.

INCREDIBLE i, mean he was absolutely dominant in that. Game AND i, think, ooh that would be. Fun Derek carmon addative. Mix you'd have to take him at twenty. Five but if the card comes in it's From. Oregon even the Tackle Derek, harmon everybody's looking around and going what and they're looking at me for WHAT i think they're gonna see me standing up like, cheering BECAUSE i think they need some size, inside size that can. Move AND i, think you, Know Derek carmon would end up being you, Know Kenth. Grant Keith grant's talked about a. Lot he's, bigger, Thicker he's kind OF Dj readers. Size harmon isn't quite that, big but he's kind of the size of fully Fought. Acasi but he's got the, agility speed and quickness of.

Guys that play on on the.

Edge it's it's, Incredible like he ran a four nine three forty at The Combine samyerstreppo At prode that they ran forty eight five Samy rstreppo is a slot RECEIVER wo And Derek harmon at three hundred and fifteen pounds is like point zero eight behind.

Him SO i just think some size is.

Needed, okay let me phrase this carefully, fully fight Of. Cassi you feel good about the. Shoulder It's, june It's. July bring him to, camp, yes if he's still, available IF i.

Get, it IF i get a deal THAT i, like, yes, ABSOLUTELY i think fully when healthy Is i'd love to be able to bring fully back because as we've seen you, know even When rank was here in twenty twenty, three those guys got banged, up and they should they play. That they play this defense, hard they get after. It their physical they needed they absolutely need. It, okay, now defensive, end, MARK i think it is ABOUT i don't want to say it's a slam, dunk but you Have Will Anderson, Junior Daniel, Hunter Derek, Barnett Dylan, horton den He Goo, autry and you just Added Darryl taylor from The. Bear SO i think is the most underrated signing we could have. HAD i think he's. PHENOMENAL i think that house is, built done and ready to.

Roll if you're healthy, there it's hard to imagine it being any. Better, YEAH i mean it's it's got double digit sack guys on the.

Edges to.

Start you Got, barnett, playmaker two touchdowns. Scored you Mentioned Darryl. Taylor, YEAH i Mean Dylan horton still waiting. On you, know great things to, happen but potentially it's. There and then he Go autrey. Himself you, know if he can, play if he could stay out, there he's gonna make. Plays he's going to terrorize. People so, yeah you feel great about. That the boy inventory on defense is a lot of fun.

Here it is a lot of.

Fun and Linebacker Henry toatoa led the team in tackles because he's Al shire is as he's Al. Shire, Yes and then you look at the depth, Here Christian, harris let's, go, oh year, four how about?

That how about?

That year?

Four here we, Go, Petrie, christian you sign demon is really a special teams. Demon but you hope he can play some linebacker if. Needed And Jake hansen's back, Nice Jamal hill rookie last, year maybe he makes a jump this. Year that's a pretty good situation at. LINEBACKER i Saw Chad.

Reuter did it four on mockdraft and the third round he Had Shamar james From, florida WHO i. LIKE i like as a player. Captain he's got all swarming. QUALITIES i, mean he's everything you'd. Want But i'm, like you already Got you're already trying to fit three into two With totoe and.

Disease, yeah And, christian you're trying to fit three to.

Two then you bring In nieman AND i think is gonna be a special teams, guy but he could even step in THERE i think. LINEBACKER i, MEAN i do think there's one other piece, needed and whether that's bringing Back Nevill.

HEWETT i don't Think nevill's signed. Anywhere Maybe i'm wrong about. THAT i don't think he.

Has BUT i just don't think round three is Where i'd be taking a. LINEBACKER i think you can get some good linebackery you cannot. Afford, maybe, Yes i'm still out. There, Yeah SO i feel like linebacker is one that maybe you'll look at it date, three guy that can also provide on special. Teams drew AND i when we do our mock, drafts we always kind of have round, six round. Seven you, Know Cody simon From Ohio. State Smile london From georgia is really. GOOD i don't think he would end. UP i think we'd have to.

Get Got henry around. FIVE i, KNOW i.

Know so that's WHY i think third rounds WILL i think you have some other priorities AND i think the board will fall the way you, want but you don't have to draft. Linebacker AND i don't think it's a great linebacker class. ANYWAYS i think The Jalen walker From, georgia somebody mocked him to. Us he he's more of an edge guy that's playing. Stackbacker he's kind of a hybrid, guy WHICH i don't know that that makes any.

Sense and then you got your Hot campbellich kind of he does the same. Thing In.

Alabama there's only two guys that are gonna go in the first. Round and then you Got Carson sweeshier FROM. Ucla he's kind of a mid second round. Guy And i'm, like you kind of have those guys. Already SO i just don't feel like the linebacker position is REALLY i think till day. Three the irony is that there are some swarmy dudes in that linebacker, class Like Demetrius knight from S. HEY i Know Demetrius knight From South. Carolina this dude was At charlotte in twenty twenty three having a. Game he'd have fifteen tackles and he'd go door to ash at. Night, yeah because he had a. Family he's got a family of. Gids he had, LIKE i gotta make. Money so he end up going In South, carolina took some nil, money had a tremendous season Of South, carolina did credit, great had a Great Senior. Bowl he's like the cutting he's like the spinning image Of Devin, white AND i think you can end up going in the mid second.

Round he's fun playing, Swarming Shmar james.

SWARMING i just don't think you can really afford it picking the linebacker until day, luxury so the secondary is freaking a nightmare for the.

Opponent on the. Edges Derek Stingley, Junior Kabari. Lassiter they got some depth With Ronald. Darby when you look at everybody else, There Calen, Bullock Jalen, PEATREE. Cj, Gardner, johnson you, Know Jimmy ward when he gets. Healthy we don't know what his health situation. Is but you also Have Treymont smith, back who is here to play special teams and help out in the secondary as. Needed you get Healthy jimmy, back though you've got some things going on. Now, Depth, okay they Signed, Darby i'm not. Sure M. J stewart, sure spot duty, safety great special teams. Guy but when you look at the overall depth here and this is again luxury. Problems D'Angelo Ross Gregory. Jr let's just see if they add anybody. Else they're going to draft a corner at some, point probably corner safety.

First off the. BOARD i think corner.

CORNER i just think with the way that you have your defensive, front the more guys that you have that can cover and have cover, instincts the better off you're going to, BE i. Think and so just adding another piece by look AT. Cj Gardner, johnson AND i think about our playoff game and who can this in the playoff game? Again Travis, Kelcey, well are you gonna play zone EVERY i mean every time we played, zone he just ate it. Up so all of a sudden you Got Chauncey Gardner johnson who comes in and can cover him one on. One petrie you leave in there is your your, linebacker and then you blitz, him you cover him on running backs play. Dime now you can start slowing people down because you have more than two cover guys on the.

Field isn't it okay For?

KELSEY a guy Like kelsey who just tries to get open, five the open, spot he sees your zone and he finds that open spot and he gets it before you can get to.

Him that's.

Right so to, me a zone plus one like a box and one in. Basket Most, yeah that's the way you handle. It that's almost let everybody else play. Zone i'm going After kelsey might be the best cover guy who can fill the bill in terms of, Size like the way they did it with Boy.

A wasn't Boy a man up on him and on?

HIM i can't believe we have to reference the game ten years, ago but the last time we were really great at Against.

Chelsea but that's what it. Was, yeah that's WHAT i think you have to.

Do AND i think that just goes back to we've got this pass rush and we got all these, ballhawks, which by the, way if everybody out there has not Seen kaylin And kamari at The rodeo or as they call, Themselves hawk And, locksmith.

Oh my, gosh yeah they do.

It, yeah go check it out on all the social media that we. Have it's you, know you've got those. Twogether you've got all these ballhawks in the back and you've got this pass. Rush but you've got to be able to at some point play man across the board and be able to just say we're locking everybody, up and we got we have the guys back there to. Do we're locking everybody. Up we're Letting kaylen play in the middle and float play cover. One just let him float, read quarterbacks, eye and then these four guys are gonna go, hunt we're gonna, Attack we're gonna Add petrion to the blitz or the, rush.

And away we.

Go and now you're you're in a lot of. TROUBLE i felt like last year we didn't have that third cover. Guy we Didn't Jefree kuda when that guy he wasn't that guy at. All and so finding that really, true reliable third cover guy again luxury problem because there are a lot of teams that don't even have a first cover, guy the number one cover.

Guy we've got a legit.

Two and When Chauncey Gardner johnson can be an interior cover, guy if you can add another one that's got corner.

Skills AND i think that's the thing with this corner.

Draft it's funny BECAUSE i haven't spent a ton of time as much as i'd like on the corners in this. Draft but WHEN i look at the corners AND i see kind of WHERE i think they may end up, Falling i'm, like, man there's gonna be a good one On day, three a good long fast Like zafrasier from out of utsa six,' three, you know one hundred and eighty five hundred ninety pounds.

Can run it probably means he'sn't gonna.

Get There But, treek wollan who Came, from utsa he won the, Fifth round so you can find somebody in, the fourth fifth round that could cover. Some LENGTH and i think this is the kind of draft at corner you might be able to find somebody. Like THAT so i Think a corner day three would make a lot of sense to try and find a rock solid competition or to start a rock solid competition in training camp for who that third corner is. Gonna be and keep in mind On these Texans drafted Kamari. Last er we Accorded. To unlin we asked him, A question, i said was the plan to put? At nickel and then you guys thought he was? Too good you had to move outside because you'd get him on the field. Every day, he's, like, Yep absolutely and then it changed Things with it changed everything Because now petrie moves down to the nickel and it made our defense that much better by making. That move so you never know what might end up happened when you get somebody on.

Your CAMPUS and i think that's a.

Good lesson when we talk about the, offensive line drafted guy on the, offensive line, you, think well you know he might end, up here well the second week, of OTAs he might end up over there in that he might be, a stud Just like. Kamari was you gotta get him on the field at. All times and so we're gonna play him at guard or tackle or tight end.

Or whatever the case.

Might be so like the way the draft, is now first, round pick second, round pick two in, the third one in, the fifth and two in. The seventh now this could, all change or will Because It's. Nick casio so that second night, in particular, get ready he's gonna do some moving and shaking with two threes at. A. Two yep but we'll see, before that maybe he does something else think he did. Last, year okay one more, Quickie here johnny before, the Break Because frank ross wanted us to.

Do it. I'm lying he didn't, say anything but it feels good to.

Say that special Teams inventory tommy's back, at punter third in the league in net punt. LAST year i know he didn't get off a good one there in the playoff game when he. Wanted it there were some things that he, wants back but he gets off some good ones. As well tommy year two Is A Texan. Kaemi fairbairn, great start not the best. To finishes and we'll see because sometimes, at, punter kicker long snapper even they brought. In competition if not to, you know just have a look at, A guy maybe give the guy a. Little competition EMI's been banged up to before, in camp so if, nothing else they might do it for, that reason to lighten.

The load but it'll be interesting to see how they handle.

That Situation tucker addington is the long snapper of record right now With No, john weeks who got a hell of a sendoff from. THE team, i mean and he was wonderful thanking everybody under the moon and the stars for his time here and we miss you. A, week See But tucker addington big shoes. To Fill with, Weeks gone we'll be looking at those long snaps in. Training camp are they as Good? As weeks, they'll see yes. We will but right now our lads has PENCILED in, i mean obviously Kick Returners damian pierce and You'll Go braxton barrios with him probably.

Probably probably draft choice.

Or something And then barrios is the listed, punt returner but you know they can go a lot of different.

Directions.

THERE yeah i think special, TEAMS wise i think the one thing to keep an eye on is do they bring in a young kicker to Compete? With Kaymi and i'll be honest when you see my, DRAFT database, I mean i've got tabs for. EVERY position i have nothing on. SPECIAL teams i don't do anything on, special TEAMS but. I don't i've always felt like you can find. A kicker, I mean kimi's the best kicker in. Team history he got him as undrafted. Free, agent, YEAH so I mean i just feel like putting a pick on. A Kicker and i've never been.

A big fan of but he Was the Luke rose. A. Winner yeah so he. Was, undrafted yeah.

He's Undrafted so nick probably has you know a few names in mind as a possibility if this is, the plan right, and uh and he'll.

Act accordingly let's just put it.

That way create, the. Competition yep and that's what you want, to do?

All right speaking, Of Competition, jonathan alexander is he competing? On vacation is even? On vacation where? Is he We find jonathan From The. Houston chronicle next we'll look In The sunshine state and talk to him about everything involved With The houston texans as he gears up FOR The Nfl annual meeting, next week and we'll be there. As Well It's, texans radio. All right great to have you with us on the. Program tonight as promised From The, Houston Chronicle, jonathan alexander we catch up with him for our, weekly visit joining us From, sunny florida WHERE The Nfl annual meeting will take place. Next Week, but jonathan getting off to an. Early start you might, as well right if It's. In florida if it Was In, Des moines i've got a feeling you wouldn't be there, So.

Early, Johan no i'd probably be in and out if It Was, Des. Moines iowa, SO yeah I thought i'd take advantage Of, the florida taking a little, quick vacation a few, days off and then get right back to work when the owners meets kicks Off.

On, sunday man some Hatred For.

Des, Moines man we're gonna start getting some. Hate mail, come, on Man. De moin i'm sure it's a. Great place I'M sure.

I don't want any. Of. That fuck i've been, One, time yeah, passed THROUGH but i. Didn't Stay des moines is.

Used to jokes About.

Des, moines Okay and rake just lost its basketball COACH, To, iowa right.

That's, right yeah they're not gonna, Like.

THAT jonathan i can't remember when the matter of events and how they've followed, in order so we'll just ask. You Anyways cam robinson signed By the texans. Offensive Tackle trent brown also signed offensive tackle To. The texans let's just kind of throw it into a big bully base and ask you what do you think it means and those two to the rosters to change the draft?

At all do you feel like there's a starter amongst?

Those two maybe both your thoughts about the two guys that they're bringing, To Town cam Robinson And.

Trent, BROWN yeah i Absolutely Believe cam robinson would be.

A starter just given the price that they paid for him twelve million dollars up to fourteen, point five you expect that person to be. A Starter, TRENT brown i think he's more a. Swing tackle he could start. If necessary it's coming off that serious. Knee INJURY but i think more, than anything those two signings kind of signified That the texans don't have to reach.

For a tackle in a draft.

This.

Year now of course they'll need something for, the future but they don't necessarily have to draft now they. Have Depth pattis howards also is an option to start at Right Tackle. Blake fisher of course you, got THAT but i think this definitely gives them the ability to draft the best, available player whoever.

They choose at twenty five or if they decide to move up or Move.

Back jonathan ALEXANDER. Joining us do you ever projected starting lineup based on what they have? RIGHT now i know that you get this question, A lot so what are you telling people about what would be the starting offensive line in all probability if they?

Played IMMEDIATELY actually.

I DO and i actually posted that in white pad form so everybody. Could see, you know, RIGHT now i see It Being. CAM robinson i think. Left guard if it, was today it Would be Lake. And, THOMLINSON however i do See the texans draft and the left guard and potentially starting somebody Sinner Is jared patterson. RIGHT guard i See. ED ingram i think they like his upside and they hope that he can put it. All together, you know he has some good film and some, bad film AND then i think the, RIGHT tackle i think You See. TITUS howard i think that's that would be the start. Of TODAY but i definitely think that'll change some DRAFT because i think they'll Find some day one starters who could start on the.

Offensive line in the draft in the first Or.

Second jonathan assess my, hot take and this was really a, hot take but this is just kind OF what i Said to mark the. OTHER day i feel like everybody's gonna be looking at the, offensive LINE and i have a feeling're gonna be looking. At wrong they're gonna be, looking at, you know this guard versus. That guard they're gonna be looking at this center versus. That center what they may not be looking at is, this tackle this tackle and. This guard and THE reason i say, that is, you know there might be a Competition Between, Cam Robinson, titus Howard and Lake. And, tomlinson like of those, three guys you want to get to two that or, maybe one but you want to get to two of them that are playing, the best and maybe a, rookie surprises and so maybe there ends up being a Competition Between cam Robinson and Lake, and tomlinson even though one's, a tackle one's. A guard but because You Have titus howard who could play tackle and guard and playing both probably, equally well you Could use titus as kind of the chess piece to. Move around so there may not be a Competition between Lake and Thomason. And ingram it might Be between Thomas and Howard and robinson to figure out which two are the best so you can slot. Them in her talks about kind of how the competition might might look in how much do You think i'm CRAZY as i kind of outlet that competition going to.

Training, CAMP no i don't think you're crazy.

At all, YOU know i probably should have PREFACED what i said by, SAYING like i don't Think the texans have a decision on how they think the offensive line. WILL look i think the reason why they signed so many players who who can play multiple positions is they want to give. THEMSELVES options i don't think they had a ton of options. Last, year obviously you know some guys have the ability to play multiple positions, last YEAR but i think they didn't have a great backup plan, last year especially when it came to Kind of King. And GREEN.

But i think now.

They do now They Know titus howard can really perform at, left GUARD and i think the, best players whoever is playing.

THE best i think they'll.

Train player that, multiple positions dart, and tackle and whoever's playing the best will get the start the. STARTING role i fully believe that's the Approach That damica Ryans And nick kylee.

Will take and if You See.

Tity howard left Guard And blake fischer at, right tackle because they all perform the, OTHER guys i wouldn't be surprised if.

That happened, SO yeah i agree with.

Your, points yeah that's THE way i think. They're going.

THAT'S me i think They'll leave titus out, at guard leave him Next, to cam and Then Have blake fisher play right tackle and, you know whether play himself, into it play himself out, of it but give the Opportunity To blake fisher to be the. Right tackle so that's going to be that's going to be interesting to watch.

As Well jonathan alexander joining us From The. Houston Chronicle Jonathan ronald darby acquired in. The secondary four. To five the defense further and the defense looks. Fairly loaded but of course you always need depth at. Certain spots and with four picks out of the first eighty nine selections in THIS coming, nfl draft would you say no more than one defensive player drafted among those four in? All likelihood or would you put it at two out of? The four tell me where your mind is that with.

That QUESTION if i was making an, Educated guess i'd say that the first two picks they're probably going to be, offensive player maybe. Even THREE but i do think a defense tackle could be taken within one of those first, four picks because this draft is so deep and heavy with. Defense, tackles Now the texans have definitely fill, their needs but, YOU know i think that they would ideally like to get a little bit younger at, defensive tackle and you can certainly fill that with.

This draft and there are other positions on defense as WELL that i think will.

Happen later on the draft if BUT if i had, TO guess i say probably one and. Maybe TWO but i, THINK though i think they'll prioritize offense and early.

Least surprising either or in the first two rounds pick twenty five, fifty eight drafting a tight end or a safety.

LEAST surprising i think probably would be. Tight END like i would have said safety before THEY. Traded Cj. Gardner, JOHNSON yeah i think they've built a lot of depth there and that would have been my priorities before they made. That TRADE but i think just. Tight end Just Hearing nick kaylee on y'all show talk about how he loved, TIGHT ends i wouldn't be. SURPRISING then i think they need a fourth guy. Ride competition, Of Course, revin JORDAN who i have been Seeing on sunday happening to run Into. On sunday, you know obviously he's coming OFF the acl injury and.

He DECIDED but i think they need to get more.

Competition and get more bodies in, that room especially given the injuries that they.

Had Recently cast over also had that injury late in.

THE playoffs I.

Think titian positions sneaky hot in. This draft maybe not even. SNEAKY hot i think. IT'S hot i Like. The titians, in FACT that's i think IT'S a pff That Had colston Loveland from michigan As the texas pick at, twenty FIVE and i thought that's. Not HORRIBLE like i wouldn't be completely surprised, by IT and, i, thought like he's not, a receiver but he's a different kind of, pass catcher, You KNOW and i thought that would be kind. OF interesting i wasn't totally SHOCKED when i Saw that colson loved Them. From michigan now he's coming off, an injury but big, time athlete big. Time athlete he's like a SOUPED, Up, mikeasicki okay could you use that in this offense coming off?

AN injury i picked? Twenty five. HUH yeah i mean there's gonna be a few of. THESE guys, I Mean josh summans be there late in the. Second round not late in the.

Second, round okay not late in the, second round unless there's like a gas mask involved in that kind, of THING which i don't.

Anticipate happening jonathan answered this. For Me miami hurricanes had their Workout. On Monday, cam ward is he a lock at number one For The tennessee titans or do you think they might, look elsewhere try to trade down whatever they might try.

TO do i think he's definitely. A lock he's definitely somebody they.

Should, take obviously he pressed a lot of the scouts There in miami and kind of solidify HIMSELF as.

QB one i think it would be a, grave mistake and we've.

Spoken about this plenty of times For the titans to pass up on the best quarterback in. The draft and, YOU know i think previously Thought That abdua carter could go, number one but he also had that foot injury and that concern. As well EVEN though i think he's gonna. Be great but when a quarterback, is there you gotta.

Take, THEM yeah i think they've. GOT to i mean they're not going. To go they can't go this Season With. Will levis yeah.

THEY can't i mean they're not Gonna Get, aaron rodgers not Goetting Your russell wilson SO and i don't even know what that does for you if You're.

The titans maybe a trade down and then dart or somebody.

Like that the, problem is.

Even Though kim ward had a really, good workout some scouts are saying it's the best they've. EVER seen i Heard That JaMarcus russell back in two thousand, and six.

That's the best best you've. Ever, seen like, come, on stop please please. Stop work you could.

Get way too high on on on. The WORK as i remember somebody telling me that They Loved malie. Willis's, workout yeah.

It's yeah but the. Clearly. DID maybe, i mean it all, just goes it goes back. To fit there's there's no question.

About, THAT yeah i mean it could be, an issue, An. Issue, Johnathan yesterday MARK and i were going to kind of taking stock of Where the texans are at, various positions and one of the one of the positions we discussed all of, them offensively and we talked about wide receiver and you look up and, you, think, okay well They Added, christian kirk probably not Gonna Have. Tank dell don't know the. Status Yet On. Stefan diggs it looks like he's rehabbing FROM the acl, you know as you, would expect and doing really nice job some of The videos i've seen that he's POST on ig and all that kind. Of stuff then they asked They Added justin watson as Well To. Nico Collins So, Christian Kirk, justin watson WHY am i why do i Feel like i'm missing one in?

That, Make Oh.

Braxton barrios so they've added three in, that mix and we talked about it and thought they're not finished at. Wide receiver would IT be i don't want to say surprising that wide receiver number one first or first, round pick second. Round pick would you lock it up that a receiver has to be one of those two picks, going forward even with what they've Done, With kirk Burrios and watson Added to nico, and company your thoughts about wide receiver and is there a wide receiver in this draft that you would just drop everything because there's one for ME that i would drop everything to make sure that if you fail to me at, Twenty five i'd.

Take.

HIM yeah i do strongly believe that they'll pick a wide receiver with on the first.

THREE picks i think it has to be if there's one hole that. THEY have i do believe this.

Wide receiver and not not an Indictment Towards Nico Collinson, christian kirk but they have been hurt the last, two years both. Of them there's no guarantee that they'll be on the field for all, seventeen Games And dimico ryan spoke about that importance just seeing so many guys go down.

Last year, You, Know biggs Dell and shalin's only played in just a few handful of.

GAMES together i think it Was, just FRIVEE so i think they'll HAVE to I think i think that is of the most importance.

In regards to a receiver who really. STANDS out i Really Like.

MATTHEW golden i think if he's there at, TWENTY five i don't.

Think you can go wrong.

Taking him whether he's there twenty five is, another story, BUT.

Yeah i think he's. A possability and there's some guys in the. Second round Those Two iowa. State guys second, round.

Guys those are.

TWO studs i, Mean here i'll give. You this if, you're listening YOU'RE GOING whoa? I was Take Guys jayden Higgins And jalen noel Are Basically nico Collins And. Christian, kirk okay that's essentially what they Are At ohio state Or At.

Iowa state and they.

Are good they were tremendous At The, SENIOR bowl i mean really fun. To watch, for me it's T mac. TEDORO macmillan i don't think he gets it. Twenty five BUT if i could draft the next athletic Version Of, DeAndre hopkins i'm.

Doing. It well If a, buka's there you're not. TAKING them i.

Like it buka but it's interesting of looking at what people think and players who they think are gonna fall in this draft and kind, OF assessing I have T max is my number One Outside, TRAVIS Hunter t maxx my, Number one, golden's two And a.

Bukah, three okay well that's pretty. High, ranked yeah those in that, Position group, SO yeah I would i would look At a buka. For sure but if they've got a bunch of those lineen that somehow, FALLED me i definitely got to think. About it JONATHAN Biggest afc south story of. The offseason you get. To pick Is it jaguar overhaul with COACH. And gm Is it titans having the number one pick and all the intrigues surrounding having the number. One pick is It the Texans trading Laramie Or daniel jones Going to indy because he's. Gonna play, come on he's gonna play at, some point right anyway you, rank them you, Tell me.

I'd Probably go tightens and what they'll do with the number. One pick that's probably the number one.

Offseason story number two Probably The laromie tunsil because that was such a, huge surprise, you know unexpected but kind of understand the. Move now, and three Maybe the jaguars overhaul and them trusting A young gm.

To take over the reins and a new coach, as well.

And see if they'll finally be able to turn Around with obviously they have talent and talented Quarterback With, trevor lawrence but they haven't been able to put it, together RECENTLY so I think and, THEN uh i think those Are probably and then last is is because even though it's still interesting though, to see, you know what happens in the Fact That anthony richards is gonna.

Have, competition yeah it'll be interesting to see what happens to that.

As well, All, right jonathan what do you have going out Of The houston chronicle? For?

Us, Uh so i'm taking a little few days off Here, In Florida so i'm going to chill out and then we'll crank you back up owners meaning to See What jamiico ryans And Nick a sarrio.

Are thinking, All right i'll, See, it florida, my friend thanks a lot for. Joining Us There's jonathan alexander From The houston chronicle. Coming, up well a lot of people have been talking, About Things wade smith said on the show. Last week so let's play you a Juicy Cut wade smith on the offensive. Line situation this will give you great insight as to why they did what they did With the laramie trade and, subsequent moves and you know they're not. Done Yet But, wade smith pro, Bowl Guard, texans legend his take on. The situation next Here On. Texans radio, all right final segment of. The show it's not, that long but, it's juicy it's. Good Stuff It's. Wade smith we had him on. Last week that Was early thursday in that Edition Of Texans. All access and a lot of feedback from this One because Wade, pro bowler one of the greatest ole linemen in the history of. The Franchise texans legend played guard and before he was With the texans played, left tackle played he's played every position on, the line so his opinion. Does matter and he played on the same Team As demiko ryans for at least a couple of years of his tenure and calls, him captain, and now of course the head coach and knows that the team is really supposed to be built in the Image Of, demico ryans and this doesn't just. Happen overnight they've worked out at twenty twenty three and twenty. Twenty four you saw great results, so far but they. Want, more obviously they want. A championship and you know they blew up the. Offensive line three of five starters from opening day last. Year gone the, Most Notable larry mutunsel Traded. To washington so We asked wade about the, old line, his assessment what he thinks is, going on what the team is, Looking for and here's a couple of minutes from.

That interview it's.

Good stuff there was things that went on in the room, last year and not necessarily what happened in, the room but what was put on film by the offensive. Line group that, to me there has to be some things that get shaken up and changed in there because there was too many THINGS that, i watched whether it's live in person or on film OR, on tv whatever it, may be where, it's like this stuff is unacceptable and it's not reflective Of What miko ryans is as a. Head coach you look at that defense and you Look At, demico ryans his defense reflects him talk they talk about. Swarm MENTALITY you i didn't see that at the offensive. Line group and that's that's really disappointing to me because that's what we were when when when we, were there when When when demko was our captain of the team and he was the leader of the of the of, the franchise our offensive line was on that same wavelength of where we played the game with, An edge we played the game with that that that swarm mentality, Quote unquote, AND uh i didn't really see that.

LAST year.

I lost i saw a lot of stuff that was elementary stuff where you're getting BEAT on tt games and getting beat on three man games and, pick stunts stuff that you can see, right away and just the sense of urgency and all those type. OF things i just didn't see. It there and, You know larmy was the leader of, that group and if you're the leader of that group and that's what's put, ON tape i don't know if it's necessarily such a great thing to be considered the leader of. That group and that's nothing against, learning me that's nothing against those guys that are in, that room but there's certain things that were putting that are put on a film that other teams in around the league look at, and, say oh we're gonna take advantage of, them there we're gonna, beat them or we got we got an easy. Win HERE and i just didn't see very much of opponents making business decisions because of what might happen to them if they try to do certain things against our. Offensive line they were just, free willing having a great time hunting and believing they were going to, get home and too often they got HOME.

AND.

C j stroud took way too many hits last year and stuff that was very. Preventable stuff and so just from that MINDSET of i think a change had to be made in. That room, you know there's coaching change that happened in. That room personnel changes happened in, that room and so the guys that they bring in and the guys that are remaining, from that there's got to be a change in how they reproach things in order for them to become and kind of embody that.

Form mentality, all right there's some good Stuff From.

Wade smith That Entire wade smith interview is On Last Thursday's Texans, all access so you can look that up wherever you get your podcasts and enjoy the. Entire Interview because wade is A true. Texans treasure that's it for. Tonight's show, now tomorrow a bunch of, things happening Should Have jonathan Joseph, On thursday, JOHN McClain a bunch of stuff happening, this week as it does every week IN The Nfl annual meeting, next week with a bunch of great guests including the Mcnairs And, mike towman The new, Texans President, Nick Cassario, Demiko ryan so we'll get to all of that. As well have a great, Night everyone this show in podcast form. Soon enough area forty five coming Up next Thursday. And friday it's GONNA be ncaa. Tournament action but you got those guys tonight. And, Tomorrow Enjoy. Go texans