If the Houston Texans take defensive end Jadeveon Clowney with the No. 1 pick the 2014 NFL Draft, something will have to give. That could start with new defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. In the past, Crennel has traditionally run a two-gap 3-4 defense. That calls for defensive ends to take up space allowing linebackers to make plays.
NFL Draft news roundup: Jadeveon Clowney’s fit with the Texans
How would the South Carolina star fit in defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 system with Houston?
Scott Halleran
If Crennel is unwilling to modify his base system, Clowney’s role in Houston is unclear. Obviously JJ Watt is already there and a superstar. Would he be content playing as a two-gap end while Clowney is used as the hybrid linebacker position of elephant? Could Clowney even play linebacker? Would Watt play linebacker?
Greg Bedard of The MMQB analyzes the different scenarios of Houston adding Clowney into its defense.
Vikings want more picks
Expect the Minnesota Vikings to be active trading partners during the 2014 NFL Draft. That’s not just random prognostication. Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said he wanted to add more picks to Minnesota’s current allotment of eight.
“I really, really think we’re going to do a lot of movement in the draft,” Spielman said via the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
With the No. 8 pick in the first round, the Vikings are in good position to move down. The top quarterbacks should be off the board by then, allowing the Vikings to trade down with a team that wants an offensive tackle or an offensive skill player like wide receiver Mike Evans or tight end Eric Ebron.
College All Star Bowl
Did you know there’s a college football all-star game this week? No? Well say hello to the College All Star Bowl, taking place on the Furman University campus in South Carolina.
The two teams at the College All Star Bowl are the Americans, captained by South Carolina's Connor Shaw and the Nationals, captained by Clemson's Tajh Boyd. Neither player has committed to playing in the game. Among the notables in the game are Central Michigan running back Zurlon Tipto, Missouri quarterback James Franklin, Oklahoma wide receiver Jaz Reynolds and South Florida defensive end Ryne Giddins.
The game airs Friday on CBS Sports Network. Read more about the game here.
NFL Draft to Chicago?
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants the Super Bowl in the Windy City. He also wants the NFL Draft.
“They have different advantages for the city given that we have neither one, both would be great attractions for the city to bring national attention,” Emanuel told the Chicago Tribune. “We’ll work on both. There’s something to the draft and there’s something to the Super Bowl.”
Robinson vs. Matthews
This ain't a wide receiver showdown between Allen Robinson and Jordan Matthews (give me Robinson). This is about the big guys up front. Teams picking in the top 10 of the draft are currently deciding whether to rate Auburn's Greg Robinson over Texas A&M's Jake Matthews.
Joe Marino of BuffaloBillsDraft put together a nice post contrasting the draft’s top two offensive tackle prospects. Matthews has started since his freshman season at A&M while Robinson is a two-year wonder who came out following his redshirt sophomore season.
As I said on our most recent podcast, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Robinson get drafted before Matthews. Which do you prefer?
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