The Texans' 2008 Draft

The draft went fairly well for the Texans. They moved down in the first to acquire more picks later, a strategy that many successful teams employ. The Texans filled their stated needs (OT, CB, RB) in order, and used later picks on some lesser needs (OLB, DT). Overall, I gave it a B.


They've shown the ability to find good players (DeMeco Ryans 2nd rd, Owen Daniels 4th rd, Fred Bennett 4th rd, Jacoby Jones 6th rd) which makes me think that one of the later picks will make an impact.


The Texans have spent a lot of high draft picks (2002 - 3rd, 6th, 7th, 7th; 2003 - 3rd, 6th; 2004 - 1st, 7th; 2005 - 1st; 2006 - 1st; 2007 - 1st; 2008 - 5th) and a lot of money on the defensive line, so I was happy that they didn't go there again. They haven't spent high picks on offensive line players. The OL picks by round (2002 - 2nd, 3rd; 2003 - 3rd, 7th; 2004 - NONE; 2005 - 5th; 2006 - 3rd, 3rd; 2007 - 2nd, 5th; 2008 - 1st). The Texans haven't even tried an OL in the first, so there isn't much track record there.


It does feel like the Texans kinda got burnt by the Dallas Cowboys. They got both Felix Jones, a coveted RB and Mike Jenkins, a CB who was probably on the Texans' draft board. When Jenkins came off the board right in front of the Texans' pick, it sure didn't look to me like there was anyone there for them to pick. I was rooting for another trade, letting the Texans slip lower (where they probably still could have picked Duane Brown) and pick up another 3rd round pick. Jerry Jones didn't think there was anyone good enough to pick in the 3rd, but Dallas is a lot better team than the Texans.


Draft Pick #1 - Duane Brown, Virginia Tech, OT


The Good - "I think I can fit in great with what (Alex Gibbs, a new assistant head coach) does," Brown said about the zone blocking system. "His zone scheme fits athletic tackles and guards. My athleticism is my biggest asset, being able to move, get on the second level and cut (block) down." That's the hope anyway.

- Brown was the fastest player at his position at the combine, running the 40-yard dash in 5 seconds.


The Bad - "Brown was a former tight end like Texans right tackle Eric Winston." Winston is just that, a right tackle. Hopefully Brown can stay at the left tackle position and doesn't need to get hidden at G.


The Ugly - "The Texans will ask Brown, who allowed 8 1/2 sacks as a senior, to make the field a safer place for Matt Schaub" 8 1/2 sacks as a senior?!? That's not very good. Jake Long hasn't given up a sack in like two years. The NFL will be harder than college, and if he allowed that many sacks in college...


Draft Pick #2 - Antwaun Molden, Eastern Kentucky, CB


"Molden will compete for the nickel job." Ouch. Hopefully that's meant for just this year. In the third round, you'd like to get a guy who could compete for the #2 CB spot, especially with Dunta Robinson down through half the season. Not a glowing endorsement.


Draft Pick #3 - Steve Slaton, West Virginia, RB

"Slaton should become the third-down back with speed that's been missing." - He's projected to play in certain situations, a reasonable expectation for the first year of a third round pick. That means the Texans will be looking again next year for a #1 RB. That said, I've always liked Slaton. The WVU offense that they ran with Pat White was one of the most fun to watch over the last three years.


"Slaton (5'9/197) might get run over in pass pro. Chris Brown is a pretty good third-down back already and Darius Walker can work those downs too. The Texans have a whole lot of competition at tailback with nothing set in stone. " - good thoughts, but the Texans haven't been afraid to cut RBs loose. They might see Chris Brown as a #1a RB (which I'd be ok with) and Slaton as the 3rd down back. Walker is probably back to the practice squad.


Draft Pick #4 - Xavier Adibi, Virginia Tech, OLB

Technically, Adibi was listed as an inside linebacker at Virginia Tech, but he said he played more like an outside backer. - That's convienent, considering the Texans really need an OLB. If nothing else, they could use him as a PR person next year. 'Technically, we were a 6-10 team, but we played more like a 10-6 team'

Draft Pick #5 - Frank Okam, Texas, DT

"The fact Okam lasted as long as he did speaks volumes about how many teams question his desire. " - Uh oh. His redeeming quality is his sheer size - 328 lbs. That type of huge DT seems better suited for a 3-4 type defense (think Wilfork) but the Texans have the luxury of experimenting with one of the DT spots already filled for the forseeable future.


Draft Pick #6 - Dominique Barber, Minnesota, S

"Barber is the younger brother of Cowboys running back Marion Barber III and the son of former Jets running back Marion Barber Jr." - Not good if that's the only thing they had to say.


Draft Pick #7 - Alex Brink, Washington State, QB

"Brink started for 3 years for the Cougars in the pass-happy Pac-10. He set the school's career passing records of 76 touchdowns and 10,913 yards. Kubiak likes the fact that Brink has been chased by some very good players and knows how to get rid of the ball. " - Well, I suppose Kubiak is only being practical (in that Texans' QBs usually get hammered)