April 26, 2024 • 13 mins
Houston Chronicle Texans beat writer Jonathan M. Alexander joins The A-Team to preview the team's turn at the NFL Draft. He talks about some positions and players that the Texans could be looking at in the second and third rounds. Plus, whether or not general manager Nick Caserio could be making trades.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Let's do it. Socks some footballhere, Day two of the NFL Draft,
or Day one if you were theHouston Texans, Cleveland Browns, and
Buffalo Bills. Bills were active lastnight. The other two teams were not.
To that end. Houston Chronicle beatwriter for the Houston Texans, Jonathan
Alexander, joins us here. Lastwe saw Jonathan, he was just getting
after it, parting like crazy,thrilled at the release of the new jerseys,
(00:23):
as we all were. We tookit in as good members of the
media would do, to see howthe VIPs and other players reacted to the
jersey drop and drip if you will. The other night over and the post
Houston. Very good stuff by thecrowd over there, and I think they've
done an amazing job and we've hada lot of time to get some feedback
on that. And now again Jonathanand his football season, because the Texans
(00:46):
have a lot in front of themtonight and over the next two nights.
Still nine picks in the hands ofNick Cassario Trader Nick as I think we
all should be calling him as thisnight gets under way, as we set
the table for them holding the tenthpick of ten night and two that follow
Did anything take place in the firstthirty two that made you believe anything different
(01:07):
about what the Texans might be consideringfor tonight? Yeah. I mean the
way so many offensive players for fourteenin the first fourteen picks, which puts
a lot of the top talent downin the top defensive talent down, And
I think that really sets the dooropen for the Texans to potentially trade up
(01:30):
because one of the players still availed. But is Jarlon Newton. Johnny Newton
from Illinois, who many people considersome people consider to be the best defensive
tackle in this draft class ahead ofByron Murphy. And Byron Murphy was taken
in the first round, but Ithink there's an oppotunity there. I doubt
that he'll make it all the wayto forty two. I look at the
(01:53):
Tennessee Titans at thirty eight, whocould potentially draft him, and I think
I would not be surprised as faras Nickosaria made a move to get ahead
of the Titans. But what wouldit take to get up that far,
especially ahead of the Titans, toget a guy like that. Yeah,
I look at the teams, thePatriots at thirty three, or no,
I'm sorry thirty four Patriots at thirtyfour. I don't know the teams up
(02:15):
I mad I know Watchington in themix, the Chargers are in the mix.
I think the farther you go backbefore the Titans, it would take
some combination of with that first thatNew England picker, it would take about
at least two fourth round picks.I think as you go further back it
becomes less, so like thirty five, I think that would be the number
(02:38):
forty two picks, a fourth roundpick and a sixth round pick. So
the farther back, the less draftcapital you'll have to give up, which
I don't think, which I thinkis actually reasonable. I think you look
at the history of the fourth andfifth round picks, and a lot of
those guys not to make the team. But you look at those first three
rounds. Those are the guys whoare going to be your most efficient guys
(02:59):
and the guys who're going to probablyplay immediately or develop into good players.
So if they don't have spit toomuch, I think they should do it.
Very interesting you mentioned that number thirtyfive specifically, that is where Monty
Austin Fort and his Arizona Cardinals sit. Of course, that's the team that
they made a move with last yearat number three. There's a good relationship
between GM, Nick Cassario and Monty. They've worked together for a number of
(03:22):
years in New England. New Englandhas that thirty fourth pick in front of
him, so certainly could play there. I'm curious if you could. Why
is Newton a tackle? You believethe Texans covet beyond talent, from his
body size, from his skill set. How does he fit what they want
to do on the interior, becausethey clearly wanted to change what they had
(03:43):
on the interior. Both of theirstarters are gone, one of them sent
away via trade. They've signed somefree agents to take some of those snaps.
But I do think detackle is aneed. Why does Newton in your
mind fit what they want? Imean, he's one of the best pass
rushing defensive tackles in this trap hegets after he has seven and a half
sacks last year. He has alot of tackles for loss. He's a
(04:05):
really productive player, and like youmentioned it just now, a defensive tackle
is their most pressing need. It'sthe one area that they didn't really dress
with any big names. The thinkingbehind what the Texas we're trying to do,
or that they can build an eliteedge and then piece together the defensive
tackle position. And I think theywanted to bring back Sheldon rank I know
(04:28):
they wanted to bring back Sheldon Rankings, but they were outbid by the Dingles
and now they want to address defensivetackle. And I think Johnny Newton is
the best available. I think there'ssome questions about the other guys. You
look at Braden Fisk, he hassmaller arms, but he is a good
player as well, which I don'tthink he would be a bad pick at
forty two either. But I thinka lot more people are sure on Johnny
(04:50):
Newton and have less doubts about himthan some of the other picks like Brandon
Fisk or Michael Hall junior at OhioState. Saw a lot of people talking
about, and we talked about earlierthe amount of offensive players taken in the
first round as opposed to the otherside of the football. And while some
might characterize that as all it's moretalent on that side of the ball being
(05:13):
pushed down to the Texans in thatsecond round wherever they wind up picking.
I did also see at least oneperson right that that could be as much
about the way the NFL is playedthese days and the explosive offenses and all
that kind of Do you agree withthat sentiment that that's at least a part
of why there was such a runor was it just that was just kind
(05:33):
of how twenty twenty four was inthe first round? Well, I think
it's a little bit of both.I mean, I think that was a
really good talent, but I thinkit's quite It's evident that offense rules the
NFL, and you have to havea quarterback to be successful in the league
these days, six quarterbacks played withinthe top twelve picks. That is a
(05:54):
league record. And I think I'mnot saying CJ. Stroud was the sole
persons possible, but he had hissuccess in how the Texans were able to
change around things in year one hada lot to do with that and the
successive quarterbacks in the past year.The teams that are winning under teams that
have franchise type quarterbacks, and youneed offensive linemen, which offensive line was
(06:15):
heavy in this fresh round. Youneed offensive linemen to protect those guys,
and you need wide receiver weapons tothrow to I think that's becoming more and
more evident, and I think that'swhy you saw a rush of offensive players
go earlier than the defensive players.Probably also why you heard or saw CJ.
Stroud react so negatively when Ricky Pearsallwas drafted by the forty nine ers
(06:35):
his commentary last night, he didan unbelievable job with Michael Parsons doing so,
and he really knows his stuff andfelt like that player could help the
team. He did, obviously notethat he had looked at that particular player
so lovingly before they had acquired StefanDiggs in trade. I'll set the scenario
for you and see what two answersyou give. If the Texans trade up
(06:57):
tonight for a corner, who doyou think that is? If they hold
at forty two and draft a corner, who do you think that is?
If they trade up for a corner, it'll be kool Aid McKinstry from Alabama.
We all know that Jamiko and Nicklike to have players from big time
programs. Alabama is a program thatTamiko Rance is very familiar with me and
(07:20):
that he played there. So ifthey trade up, I think he's the
best devolable corner on the board.Cooper design is also a good one,
but I don't think they would tradeup. I think they would stay pat
if they stayed pat at forty twoand drafted the corner just by the looks
of it. I think you lookat potential players or TJ. Tampa and
(07:42):
Kamari Lassiter, they'll be I thinkguys who still be available at number forty
two, and I think in theStrakes card is going to come up forward
to That's why I haven't mentioned him. I think he'll be off the board
by forty two, but I don'tthink the text would trade up for him.
It's okay if you only want tomention SEC cornerbacks. We get it,
Bama, Missouri, Kentucky, Georgia, and that I Aoways state with
Tampa a little bit of an outlier. Rest of the draft tonight, if
(08:05):
there are three positions you think theyneed if it falls that way, because
I do think they're still you know, BAP best available player. But if
there are three different positions you thinkthey would hope to end up with when
tonight ends, what would those positionsbe aside from defensive tackle and in cornerback,
I think safety is another one.Dimika Ryans has mentioned it how he
(08:28):
would love to upgrade his safety room. I think I wouldn't be surprised if
wide receiver got addressed as well.I think tight end needs to be addressed.
I think they need some depth,and I think potentially a linebacker.
Those are the positions I look.Do you think they have an interest in
Texas A and M'sedrin Cooper? Yeah? I do. I think that,
(08:52):
but I don't think that they wouldtake him at forty two. I think
that they would take him at fiftynine. I think you look at what
the Texans do, and they runa lot of nickel, and I think
they have their main two guys andI think about seventy percent of the time
they play nickel, and Edwin wouldn'tbe unless he was just outplayed a these
(09:15):
and Christian Harris, which they havea lot of belief in both of those
guys. I just think they haveless of a need for a guy like
Edwin Cooper than they would for aquarterback or a defensive tackle at forty two.
But if Edwin Cooper would have fallall the way to fifty nine,
I definitely could see them taking themthere. Yeah. I've been talking about
(09:35):
the Texans fortifying or just addressing theoffensive line for a while now, and
I get way more excited about it. I think Wex is a little bit
more that satisfied with what the Texanshave in front of CJ. Stroud.
I just feel like that kid cannotget touched in any way, shape or
form, and I want to doeverything in my power to make sure that
happens edgrend Cooper, Yeah, whohe's talking about maybe looking at the offensive
(10:01):
line at some point, whether it'son the interior or elsewhere, even with
what they still have in the fold. Yeah, I think offensive line is
Actually I do think they need toI agree with you. I think they
need to address offensive tackle in particular. I think they lacked depth there.
They are one injury away from beingin some significant trouble with either Titus Howard
(10:22):
or Lermy Tuncle. I think CharlieHecker is a great backup, but after
that there's a significant drop off.So I agree with you. I wouldn't
be I would like the idea ofthem taking the offensive tackling a round two
or three if there was a goodone there. I do think that's an
important position that they must address forthe future and for depth purposes. Well,
(10:45):
we've had John's quite a bit thisoffseason. Usually there is a good
send you off question, and thereis again today. I don't care what
number it is. I don't carewhere it happens. I'm just asking about
tonight. Give me the name ofa player you expect to be talking to
on his zoom call that became aTexan tonight. I'm going to go out
on a limb and say that theTexans pull off the trade for Jerzon Newton.
(11:11):
I'm going to say somehow I wouldlove that, though, I mean,
even after what I just got donesaying it's just he feels like he's
the sexy name I guess at ornear the top of this second round.
So if the Texans were able toget a guy like that and add him
to a defense that you know isgoing to be rare to go for Jamico
Ryans, that would be That'd besomething absolutely I think I would honestly,
(11:35):
I would consider it a home runoff season for Nick Casseria. I know
Nick Cassira doesn't want the credit andsays, you know, you can't really
measure it until the season gets going. But you look at what they did
in the off season. Plus ifthey were to get Jason Newton all the
way wherever they got him in thesecond round, I think that would be
a home run for Nick area First, Jonathan, if Nick Cassia pulls off
(11:58):
deal for Jerson Newton and Hannah McNairstanding down there at third base will be
waving Nick Cassario home for his insidethe park home run. But Jonathan,
he just thinks that's laughable and garbagethat you just said that. Nick me.
I don't know if you've seen thisfilm, but the kid can play,
and most people had him going inthe first round. And if he
(12:20):
in the fact that he's here inthe second round, if Texas don't have
to give up much, I reallythink that's a huge because they've knocked out
all of their needs. I cando that. Yeah, I couldn't agree
more. I am surprised that hewas there. I thought late in the
first round a team would think exactlywhat we've been discussing, trade up into
the first round and tab note Newtonas their selection. I think over the
first four picks tonight thirty three,four, five, and six, I
(12:43):
expect him to be off the board. Now we just have to wait and
see. Our draft covers will beginat six o'clock and we will see if
the Texans are our team that makesthat move and trades up. Look forward
to your continued coverage there on theChronicle. The Houston Chronicle beat writer for
the Houston Texans, Jonathan m Alexander. We always appreciate the time, Jonathan,
please here to have me
Let's do it. Socks some footballhere, Day two of the NFL Draft,
or Day one if you were theHouston Texans, Cleveland Browns, and
Buffalo Bills. Bills were active lastnight. The other two teams were not.
To that end. Houston Chronicle beatwriter for the Houston Texans, Jonathan
Alexander, joins us here. Lastwe saw Jonathan, he was just getting
after it, parting like crazy,thrilled at the release of the new jerseys,
(00:23):
as we all were. We tookit in as good members of the
media would do, to see howthe VIPs and other players reacted to the
jersey drop and drip if you will. The other night over and the post
Houston. Very good stuff by thecrowd over there, and I think they've
done an amazing job and we've hada lot of time to get some feedback
on that. And now again Jonathanand his football season, because the Texans
(00:46):
have a lot in front of themtonight and over the next two nights.
Still nine picks in the hands ofNick Cassario Trader Nick as I think we
all should be calling him as thisnight gets under way, as we set
the table for them holding the tenthpick of ten night and two that follow
Did anything take place in the firstthirty two that made you believe anything different
(01:07):
about what the Texans might be consideringfor tonight? Yeah. I mean the
way so many offensive players for fourteenin the first fourteen picks, which puts
a lot of the top talent downin the top defensive talent down, And
I think that really sets the dooropen for the Texans to potentially trade up
(01:30):
because one of the players still availed. But is Jarlon Newton. Johnny Newton
from Illinois, who many people considersome people consider to be the best defensive
tackle in this draft class ahead ofByron Murphy. And Byron Murphy was taken
in the first round, but Ithink there's an oppotunity there. I doubt
that he'll make it all the wayto forty two. I look at the
(01:53):
Tennessee Titans at thirty eight, whocould potentially draft him, and I think
I would not be surprised as faras Nickosaria made a move to get ahead
of the Titans. But what wouldit take to get up that far,
especially ahead of the Titans, toget a guy like that. Yeah,
I look at the teams, thePatriots at thirty three, or no,
I'm sorry thirty four Patriots at thirtyfour. I don't know the teams up
(02:15):
I mad I know Watchington in themix, the Chargers are in the mix.
I think the farther you go backbefore the Titans, it would take
some combination of with that first thatNew England picker, it would take about
at least two fourth round picks.I think as you go further back it
becomes less, so like thirty five, I think that would be the number
(02:38):
forty two picks, a fourth roundpick and a sixth round pick. So
the farther back, the less draftcapital you'll have to give up, which
I don't think, which I thinkis actually reasonable. I think you look
at the history of the fourth andfifth round picks, and a lot of
those guys not to make the team. But you look at those first three
rounds. Those are the guys whoare going to be your most efficient guys
(02:59):
and the guys who're going to probablyplay immediately or develop into good players.
So if they don't have spit toomuch, I think they should do it.
Very interesting you mentioned that number thirtyfive specifically, that is where Monty
Austin Fort and his Arizona Cardinals sit. Of course, that's the team that
they made a move with last yearat number three. There's a good relationship
between GM, Nick Cassario and Monty. They've worked together for a number of
(03:22):
years in New England. New Englandhas that thirty fourth pick in front of
him, so certainly could play there. I'm curious if you could. Why
is Newton a tackle? You believethe Texans covet beyond talent, from his
body size, from his skill set. How does he fit what they want
to do on the interior, becausethey clearly wanted to change what they had
(03:43):
on the interior. Both of theirstarters are gone, one of them sent
away via trade. They've signed somefree agents to take some of those snaps.
But I do think detackle is aneed. Why does Newton in your
mind fit what they want? Imean, he's one of the best pass
rushing defensive tackles in this trap hegets after he has seven and a half
sacks last year. He has alot of tackles for loss. He's a
(04:05):
really productive player, and like youmentioned it just now, a defensive tackle
is their most pressing need. It'sthe one area that they didn't really dress
with any big names. The thinkingbehind what the Texas we're trying to do,
or that they can build an eliteedge and then piece together the defensive
tackle position. And I think theywanted to bring back Sheldon rank I know
(04:28):
they wanted to bring back Sheldon Rankings, but they were outbid by the Dingles
and now they want to address defensivetackle. And I think Johnny Newton is
the best available. I think there'ssome questions about the other guys. You
look at Braden Fisk, he hassmaller arms, but he is a good
player as well, which I don'tthink he would be a bad pick at
forty two either. But I thinka lot more people are sure on Johnny
(04:50):
Newton and have less doubts about himthan some of the other picks like Brandon
Fisk or Michael Hall junior at OhioState. Saw a lot of people talking
about, and we talked about earlierthe amount of offensive players taken in the
first round as opposed to the otherside of the football. And while some
might characterize that as all it's moretalent on that side of the ball being
(05:13):
pushed down to the Texans in thatsecond round wherever they wind up picking.
I did also see at least oneperson right that that could be as much
about the way the NFL is playedthese days and the explosive offenses and all
that kind of Do you agree withthat sentiment that that's at least a part
of why there was such a runor was it just that was just kind
(05:33):
of how twenty twenty four was inthe first round? Well, I think
it's a little bit of both.I mean, I think that was a
really good talent, but I thinkit's quite It's evident that offense rules the
NFL, and you have to havea quarterback to be successful in the league
these days, six quarterbacks played withinthe top twelve picks. That is a
(05:54):
league record. And I think I'mnot saying CJ. Stroud was the sole
persons possible, but he had hissuccess in how the Texans were able to
change around things in year one hada lot to do with that and the
successive quarterbacks in the past year.The teams that are winning under teams that
have franchise type quarterbacks, and youneed offensive linemen, which offensive line was
(06:15):
heavy in this fresh round. Youneed offensive linemen to protect those guys,
and you need wide receiver weapons tothrow to I think that's becoming more and
more evident, and I think that'swhy you saw a rush of offensive players
go earlier than the defensive players.Probably also why you heard or saw CJ.
Stroud react so negatively when Ricky Pearsallwas drafted by the forty nine ers
(06:35):
his commentary last night, he didan unbelievable job with Michael Parsons doing so,
and he really knows his stuff andfelt like that player could help the
team. He did, obviously notethat he had looked at that particular player
so lovingly before they had acquired StefanDiggs in trade. I'll set the scenario
for you and see what two answersyou give. If the Texans trade up
(06:57):
tonight for a corner, who doyou think that is? If they hold
at forty two and draft a corner, who do you think that is?
If they trade up for a corner, it'll be kool Aid McKinstry from Alabama.
We all know that Jamiko and Nicklike to have players from big time
programs. Alabama is a program thatTamiko Rance is very familiar with me and
(07:20):
that he played there. So ifthey trade up, I think he's the
best devolable corner on the board.Cooper design is also a good one,
but I don't think they would tradeup. I think they would stay pat
if they stayed pat at forty twoand drafted the corner just by the looks
of it. I think you lookat potential players or TJ. Tampa and
(07:42):
Kamari Lassiter, they'll be I thinkguys who still be available at number forty
two, and I think in theStrakes card is going to come up forward
to That's why I haven't mentioned him. I think he'll be off the board
by forty two, but I don'tthink the text would trade up for him.
It's okay if you only want tomention SEC cornerbacks. We get it,
Bama, Missouri, Kentucky, Georgia, and that I Aoways state with
Tampa a little bit of an outlier. Rest of the draft tonight, if
(08:05):
there are three positions you think theyneed if it falls that way, because
I do think they're still you know, BAP best available player. But if
there are three different positions you thinkthey would hope to end up with when
tonight ends, what would those positionsbe aside from defensive tackle and in cornerback,
I think safety is another one.Dimika Ryans has mentioned it how he
(08:28):
would love to upgrade his safety room. I think I wouldn't be surprised if
wide receiver got addressed as well.I think tight end needs to be addressed.
I think they need some depth,and I think potentially a linebacker.
Those are the positions I look.Do you think they have an interest in
Texas A and M'sedrin Cooper? Yeah? I do. I think that,
(08:52):
but I don't think that they wouldtake him at forty two. I think
that they would take him at fiftynine. I think you look at what
the Texans do, and they runa lot of nickel, and I think
they have their main two guys andI think about seventy percent of the time
they play nickel, and Edwin wouldn'tbe unless he was just outplayed a these
(09:15):
and Christian Harris, which they havea lot of belief in both of those
guys. I just think they haveless of a need for a guy like
Edwin Cooper than they would for aquarterback or a defensive tackle at forty two.
But if Edwin Cooper would have fallall the way to fifty nine,
I definitely could see them taking themthere. Yeah. I've been talking about
(09:35):
the Texans fortifying or just addressing theoffensive line for a while now, and
I get way more excited about it. I think Wex is a little bit
more that satisfied with what the Texanshave in front of CJ. Stroud.
I just feel like that kid cannotget touched in any way, shape or
form, and I want to doeverything in my power to make sure that
happens edgrend Cooper, Yeah, whohe's talking about maybe looking at the offensive
(10:01):
line at some point, whether it'son the interior or elsewhere, even with
what they still have in the fold. Yeah, I think offensive line is
Actually I do think they need toI agree with you. I think they
need to address offensive tackle in particular. I think they lacked depth there.
They are one injury away from beingin some significant trouble with either Titus Howard
(10:22):
or Lermy Tuncle. I think CharlieHecker is a great backup, but after
that there's a significant drop off.So I agree with you. I wouldn't
be I would like the idea ofthem taking the offensive tackling a round two
or three if there was a goodone there. I do think that's an
important position that they must address forthe future and for depth purposes. Well,
(10:45):
we've had John's quite a bit thisoffseason. Usually there is a good
send you off question, and thereis again today. I don't care what
number it is. I don't carewhere it happens. I'm just asking about
tonight. Give me the name ofa player you expect to be talking to
on his zoom call that became aTexan tonight. I'm going to go out
on a limb and say that theTexans pull off the trade for Jerzon Newton.
(11:11):
I'm going to say somehow I wouldlove that, though, I mean,
even after what I just got donesaying it's just he feels like he's
the sexy name I guess at ornear the top of this second round.
So if the Texans were able toget a guy like that and add him
to a defense that you know isgoing to be rare to go for Jamico
Ryans, that would be That'd besomething absolutely I think I would honestly,
(11:35):
I would consider it a home runoff season for Nick Casseria. I know
Nick Cassira doesn't want the credit andsays, you know, you can't really
measure it until the season gets going. But you look at what they did
in the off season. Plus ifthey were to get Jason Newton all the
way wherever they got him in thesecond round, I think that would be
a home run for Nick area First, Jonathan, if Nick Cassia pulls off
(11:58):
deal for Jerson Newton and Hannah McNairstanding down there at third base will be
waving Nick Cassario home for his insidethe park home run. But Jonathan,
he just thinks that's laughable and garbagethat you just said that. Nick me.
I don't know if you've seen thisfilm, but the kid can play,
and most people had him going inthe first round. And if he
(12:20):
in the fact that he's here inthe second round, if Texas don't have
to give up much, I reallythink that's a huge because they've knocked out
all of their needs. I cando that. Yeah, I couldn't agree
more. I am surprised that hewas there. I thought late in the
first round a team would think exactlywhat we've been discussing, trade up into
the first round and tab note Newtonas their selection. I think over the
first four picks tonight thirty three,four, five, and six, I
(12:43):
expect him to be off the board. Now we just have to wait and
see. Our draft covers will beginat six o'clock and we will see if
the Texans are our team that makesthat move and trades up. Look forward
to your continued coverage there on theChronicle. The Houston Chronicle beat writer for
the Houston Texans, Jonathan m Alexander. We always appreciate the time, Jonathan,
please here to have me
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