As the Texans draft watch series continues, we step away from wide receivers for a minute to take a look at another position that might come into play as free agency approaches.
If Mario Williams leaves in free agency, which is a distinct possibility, then the Texans will be in need of an impact edge rusher type to join the outside linebacker rotation.
A player that might fit that bill is Illinios defensive end Whitney Mercilus.
Do even a scant amount of research on Mercilus and you hear two things: "one year wonder" and "won't be able to play outside linebacker in a 3-4."
Really? How do people know this?
I remember when researching Aldon Smith last year that everyone was saying how he wouldn't be able to make the transition to 3-4 OLB. How'd that turn out?
Sure, Mercilus isn't quite as long and lean as Aldon, but there seems to be a thought process out there that in order to be successful as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL, you must have established yourself in pass coverage at the collegiate level.
We know that's not true in Wade Phillips' 3-4 given the fact that Brooks Reed, Connor Barwin, and Williams, had little to no experience 'dropping into coverage' before last season. And how'd that turn out?
The truth of the matter is that Wade's 3-4 is more like a 5-2 and the outside backers, especially the weakside backer, is rushing the quarterback and defending the run on the vast majority of calls.
Phillips made this clear last pre-season when asked how Mario would be able to handle dropping into coverage.
“We’re not going to drop him,” Phillips said. “We’re going to rush him. That’s why I say we’re more of a 5-2, in that those five guys are coming a lot of the time, especially the position Mario (and Barwin) plays. DeMarcus Ware played that position, Bryce Paup – on and on, guys that have led the league. They didn’t lead the league in sacks by dropping a whole lot.” (houstontexans.com)
More than anything, Phillips is looking for strength, speed and athleticism in his front seven and that, finally, brings us to Mercilus (not to be confused with the Former Texan running back James Allen, aka Mersilis)
As far as the 'one year wonder' label, it's true that Mercilus has had only one year of production that would warrant a first round grade, but this redshirt junior whose family immigrated from Haiti in the 1980's has been playing American football only for a few years. Soccer was his game until he put on his first set of shoulder pads in high school a few years ago at Akron, Ohio.
Remember that soccer player from Nigeria that hadn't touched a basketball until he walked into Hofheinz Pavilion? Just sayin.'
One could easily counter the 'one year wonder' argument with 'he's just now starting to get it." In his breakout season in 2011, Mercilus:
- Finished 1st in the nation with 16 quarterback sacks
- Finished 1st in the nation with 9 forced fumbles
- Finished 1st in the Big Ten and 2nd in the nation in tackles for loss (22)
- Won the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year award
- Was a consensus All-America selection
You are encouraged to read this bio and review on Mercilus from Ted Hendricks' official website.
"Discipline and responsibility are his assets, but underneath it all, his innate football ability and work ethic have a lot to do with his success. He is another one that never takes a break when the ball is in play. Whitney, no doubt, was merciless on opposing QBs this fall!" - tedhendricks.com
Raw but with a ton of potential, Mercilus has a Round 1-2 grade on nfldraftscout.com and is their #3 defensive end in the draft. Look for his stock to jump if he performs well at the combine but he could still be on the board when the Texans pick at #26 overall.
Most scouts agree that Mercilus needs to work on his run defense, i.e., holding point-of-attack and getting off blocks, but there's no question he has the explosiveness and athleticism to get after the quarterback which is the main thing the Texans need out of their Will Linebacker.
And how could you not get excited about a defense with the Ninja Assassin, MegaWatt and Mercilus as part of your front seven rotation?
Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB Illinois (projection and position rank from nfldraftscout.com)
- 6-3, 265
- DOB: July 21, 1990
- Projected draft round: 1-2
- Position rank: Rated #3 out of 240 DEs
- @Merci380 on Twitter
Video
- One-on-one with Whitney Mercilus (with references to the 2010 Texas Bowl and his favorite NFL team ... hang on .... the Colts)
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