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Jadeveon Clowney's pro day at South Carolina on Wednesday was impressive, though it shouldn't change the way you think about him.
Now the Texans have a hard decision with the No. 1 pick. And if they pass on Clowney and he lands with the Jaguars, he has vowed to make Houston "miserable."
"I have to make them miserable," a smiling Clowney said.
It has been difficult to peg Clowney to the Texans at No. 1 mainly because of Houston's dire need for a quarterback. I finally caved and moved him back to the No. 1 slot on Wednesday. Not because of his pro day, but because he's just that much better than every other player in this draft.
The Texans can't pass on him, especially if they think he's capable of playing a Willie McGinest-type role in Romeo Crennel's defense.
"I can play any position on the field," Clowney said. "I'm an athlete. ... I have no problem strapping and moving."
Houston tested out Clowney as a linebacker in the hot Columbia sun Wednesday and while dropping back against air isn't the same as covering another human being, he still looked fluid and impressive while doing the drills. Especially given his size.
Clowney's not going to match up against wideouts in coverage or anything (I don't think ...) but he definitely looks fast and fluid enough to cover a tight end if he has to in a linebacker role.
Sending him after quarterbacks with destruction in mind would still be the ultimate goal. But when you watch the way he runs and the type of athlete he is, it's hard not to get excited about the possibility of pairing him with J.J. Watt in Houston.
It's probably hard not to get scared at the idea of facing him twice a year too.
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Scout: Chargers WR Keenan Allen 'could be close to his ceiling already'
If you are one of those people such as myself who picked up Chargers rookie wide receiver Keenan Allen around Week 4 or 5 last season, you were rewarded handsomely. Allen caught 68 passes for more than 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns from Week 4 on. By season's end, he was a very solid WR2 in 12-team leagues. Of course, now we expect the 21-year-old player to improve upon those numbers as he gains experience. But perhaps that won't be the case, according to ESPN NFL Insider Matt Williamson.When Williamson was asked about Allen on Monday, he said: "As much as I like Allen, to ask him to improve dramatically in one season may be asking too much."He's a really good receiver, but he does not have the athletic ability of an A.J. Green or a Julio Jones. He could be close to his ceiling already."
It's not a negative assessment. Williamson is right: Players such as Green and Jones have more long-term upside because they are such special athletes. Allen wasn't blessed with breakaway speed, but it looks like he already has a good handle on what he does best: Outstanding route-running, soft hands, great body control while going up for the ball.So, we may never see Allen top 1,500 yards and score 12-15 times. But what's wrong with what Allen did last year? I'll take those stats again. He is a top-20 fantasy WR who should still see plenty of targets and haul in plenty of passes from Philip Rivers.
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