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The 2008 NFL Draft has officially ended and all the picks are in.  My grade for the Texans was difficult to gauge as I had to set aside my bias because my pick was not chosen.  When the Texans decided to trade back in the first round, it was obvious that the plan of choosing the BPA was out the window. 

With the 18th pick the Texans traded back with the Baltimore Ravens and passed up the chance to pick Rashard Mendenhall whom in my opinion, was the BPA and the best overall RB in the draft and should have never had fallen that far to begin with.  However, Rick Smith was able to get the Texans two additional draft picks and still get their man in the first round.  The thing I find most interesting is that not only is Rick Smith a talented GM with a nose for talent, he is also a talented thief judging by a few of his draft day steals.

The Texans first round draft pick was an OT named Duane Brown.  The LT has always been an issue for the Texans and now it looks like that important need has been met and Matt Schaub can breath a sigh of relief.  Duane Brown was not on many peoples radar, and is precisely why we aren’t coaching or managing professional teams.  The coaches and FO’s know what the teams needs are more so than the fans.  Duane Brown is a brawler and he has exceptional athleticism, not to mention he was high on the radar of the godfather Alex Gibbs.  I have no doubt that underneath the tutelage of Alex Gibbs that Duane Brown will surpass several of the other OT’s taken before him in the draft.

The Texans first third round pick was the first steal as they snatched CB Antwaun Molden.  Antwaun Molden is an exceptional first round quality DB to be able to pick up in the third round and I think he should have went before Flowers.  He is incredibly physical, a hard hitter, and has great closing speed.  With the injury of Dunta Robinson and the uncertainty that surrounds his level of play when he returns, makes this a great pick and adds competition and depth to the position.

The Texans second third round pick was RB Steve Slaton.  Some regard Steve Slaton as a scat back or a poor man’s Reggie Bush, personally I find that insulting.  Steve Slaton has break away speed and is a thousand yard plus rusher.  He will have lots of competition in training camp among Green, Brown, Taylor, and Walker.  Might prediction is that Ahman Green will be a June 1st cut leaving Taylor and Brown fighting for the start.  Steve Slaton possesses huge upside and in a zone blocking scheme under Gibbs, could very well flourish and go from a third down situational back to the starter…time will tell.

With their fourth round pick, the Texans stole LB Xavier Adibi.  How this guy was available in the fourth round is beyond me, I had him pegged as a sleeper late in the second round.  Look for this guy to bolster the already thick line that the Texans have with his freakish athleticism.  In my opinion Adibi will be a starter for the Texans this coming season possibly overtaking Greenwood.

With the fifth round pick in the draft, the Texans picked another potential sleeper in DT Frank Okam.  I didn’t view this position as a glaring need, but with Okam in the fifth round, you can’t go wrong.  Okam is extremely powerful and has good speed for his size, and good upside.  This is another guy I expect to see starting this year for the Texans.

With the sixth pick the Texans stole another sleeper in Marion Barber’s younger brother S Dominique Barber.  I had Barber going in the 3rd round.  This guy doesn’t have lightning speed but you can expect him to be in the zone waiting to lay the wood to some poor receiver coming over the middle.  This guy is a perfect compliment to the Texans now improved secondary.  When Dunta Robinson comes back the secondary should be a well oiled machine under the guidance of DB Coach Ray Rhodes.

Finally the seventh round and final pick of the Texans draft was QB Alex Brink.  This was kind of a surprise move as I never anticipated the Texans drafting a QB this year.  Alex will likely fight for the 3rd QB spot with Gray.  This guy doesn’t have a strong arm, but he has experience and patience in the pocket, can read defenses and can get rid of the ball.  I look for this guy to be a good NFL starting caliber QB for some team in the next 3-5 years…don’t believe me?  Just put your little google finger to work and look up his stats for yourself.

So there you have it, the Texans 2008 NFL draft selections.  I have to give the Texans the grade of an “A” for their draft as they filled their three biggest needs with their first three picks, and got mainly steals and sleepers.  With the coaching and guidance of Alex Gibbs and Ray Rhodes, several of these guys will be starters in the upcoming season.  Actually, I think the Texans came away with definitely four starters and potentially six out of the entire draft which is pretty insane.

PFC Texans Writer
Shane Brooks