Mel Kiper projects Justin Houston at #24 for the saints

he's a big boy at 6'3 258, 17 sacks in two years...

From my 18 seconds of google search, he sounds like an intriguing prospect and the type of LB we need and are missing.

Makes too much sense so its not happening. NEXT

Trade up to get von miller. He is my dream pick right now.

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Yeah, because we never do well with our draft picks.

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How the frick did you get that from my statement? Every year we fall in love with a first round talent LB, every year we draft elsewhere. Success of that pick is not relevant.

houston is helluva player and i'd LOVE to have him

but, i wonder how good he is at things besides rushing the passer

intresting but I put Kiper's opinion right up there with the guy I just talked to at the coffee bar at work. This doesnt make it in any way likely to happen unless by total coincidence

I love watching Mayock embarrass him on draft day. He beats him on picks probably 3 or 4 to 1

McShay is the biggest fricking joke in recruiting and drafting.

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Andre Woodson and Jevean Snead are nodding in agreement here

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I like Houston, fits the bill. Whatever dynamic DE rusher we can get! I significant double digit sack threat could catapult this D to elite level. GW wouldn't have to blitz as much but when doing so it would be all the more dynamic. Check another young guy that oughta get a lot of predraft attention- Aldon Smith Mizzou

On Houston from assorted sources...

Houston has good size at 6'3'' and 258 pounds. He looks like a defensive end, and that's exactly what he might play at the next level in a 4-3 scheme. In a 3-4 defense he can set up at rush linebacker. Houston has been clocked as fast as 4.64 in the 40-yard dash, but he will want to improve on that if he wants to establish himself as a sure-thing first-rounder. Prior to this season he looked like a third-rounder at best.

Justin Houston finished the season second in sacks in the SEC. With his change from defensive end to outside linebacker in the 3-4, he saw he production go way up. Houston is the definition of a hybrid player. He can either play the rush outside linebacker position in the 3-4 or defensive end in the 4-3. There aren’t many dynamic pass rushers in the 2011 draft, and with half of the league needing to upgrade their pass rush, don’t expect Houston to be on the board in the second round. With his speed and explosion, he can make an immediate impact.

A dynamic edge rusher that is multifaceted. He can use his speed to bend the corner or his strength to bull rush linemen and collapse the pocket. Gets off the ball extremely well with an explosive first step. Motor runs hot when rushing the passer. Has the closing speed to chase down mobile quarterbacks. Is a menace when rushing the passer. Causes a lot of mistakes and turnovers because of the pressure that he gets. Wasn’t asked to drop into coverage much. Played the majority of third downs with his hand in the dirt. He did get an interception against Georgia Tech, but is still a liability in pass coverage at this point. 2010 Team Captain. Very fiery player that leads his teammates by example as well as vocals.

His potential is very high as a RE in a 4-3 in the NFL. His explosiveness and edge speed is pretty rare and he has been a very productive pass rusher the past two years in the SEC. I don’t usually like guys with inconsistent motors like Houston but his potential is high enough that he might be worth the risk for a team that really needs a potentially dominant RE. I think his saving grace might be that he will be worked in on a rotational basis in the NFL for his first couple seasons which will allow him the opportunity to go 100% when he comes in to look to make an impact and make a name for himself. I don’t know him personally obviously and I can’t say this for sure without an interview, but I really think that an in-your-face defensive line coach could motivate him to be a dominant player in the NFL. If he is open to coaching, which it seems like he is considering his development these past two years, then he could very well develop some secondary pass rush moves. I would love to see him improve his swim and club moves, and if he ever works in a spin move that he can use once or twice a game he could be absolutely lethal as a pass rusher. Especially if his hand usage improves as well. Really it comes down to how badly he wants to improve and if he is open to coaching. I believe that a good defensive line coach could motivate him to be a great pass rusher in the NFL though, because he has all the tools and really all he needs is coaching, technique development and someone to light a fire under him and push him to reach his potential.

Pretty good speed for his size... Monster in the weight room, power cleaned 420 pounds during workouts in 2009, is a workout warrior. Is very quick off the snap, times the count well and has an explosive first step off the line... Is fairly disciplined and plays with good instincts as both a five-technique end and an outside linebacker... Uses hands well when engaged with blockers, maintains balance and keeps play-side hand free on most occasions... Utilizes hefty frame and strong upper body when engaged with blockers, stays relatively low and will not get pushed away from running plays directly at him... Has the intangibles to be a big-time pass rusher and solid all-around player and leader in the NFL because of good motor and strong work ethic.