Inside Linebackers The Houston Texans Should Target In Draft
By Travis Oquin
Oct 11, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Paul Dawson (47) during the game against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Paul Dawson (2nd round) 6’0”, 235 – TCU
Paul Dawson is not going to wow anyone with his measurables. In fact those measureables would tell you that he’s too slow having run a 4.93 40 at the combine. Dawson said that he tweaked his hamstring in his first 40 at the combine and should have stopped there. He improved a bit on that number at his Pro Day (today), coming in with times of 4.78 and 4.82.
The hamstring could also explain his low number in the vertical jump as well. His TCU Pro Day is huge for Dawson and his draft stock.
On film however Dawson, looks every bit the part of a NFL linebacker, although he is a former high school wide receiver. Dawson is always around the ball and shows good awareness and reactions to shed blockers with his athleticism and close on the ball carrier. He led the Horned Frogs in 2014 with 128 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and four interceptions. He destroys Oklahoma in 2014, here.
Oct 11, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Paul Dawson (47) tries to bring down Baylor Bears running back Shock Linwood (32) during the second half at McLane Stadium. The Bears defeat Horned Frogs 61-58. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dawson uses instinct and agility to shed or avoid blockers but will need a strong front line ahead of him in the NFL to be allowed to roam free and seek out the ball. He is also a sure tackler.
Dawson is projected as a 2nd rounder and as long as he improves on some numbers at his Pro Day or in individual workouts, he should go around where the Texans are picking at 51, if not before. Either way, Kendricks is likely to go before Dawson, but Dawson may be the better fit for the Texans.
He would fit in very nicely next to Cushing as a linebacker that can cover perhaps add more bulk down the road.
As of now the Texans haven’t approached Dawson or worked him out. Dawson has a bit of a reputation of being somewhat abrasive, not always a bad thing, but here is his interview following the OU game.
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