The on-air mock draft courtesy of Adam & Danny. We made selections based on what we think these teams WILL do. Yes, our own opinions filter in some, but we tried to step into their shoes and predict what will unfold on Saturday leading to the Texans selection at #18. Both our opinions, along with those of Rob Costa, were taken into consideration so you can't blame anyone.
1. MIAMI: Jake Long, OT, Michigan - no explanation needed.
2. ST. LOUIS: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU - They have many needs, but they are poor against the pass and the run. Dorsey could do for them what Warren Sapp did his entire career - which is control the line of scrimmage and get penetration up the middle.
3. ATLANTA: Chris Long, DE, Virginia - Not very surprisingly they, too, are a team with tons of needs. Somewhat difficult to pass on QB Matt Ryan, but with 4 picks in the top 48, the Falcons can grab a comparable QB with one of those slots. They keep it simple and take the second of the two safe Longs.
4. OAKLAND: Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio St. - Many expect RB Darren McFadden here, but they have a chance to build a well above average defense. So they try for the high upside of Gholston.
5. KANSAS CITY: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St. - When KC was at their best, it was because of their O-line. That's why it comes down to Clady or Brandon Albert, and very little difference b/w them other than experience at the position, so they go with Clady who might be just slightly more ready to step up.
6. NEW YORK JETS: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas - Maybe they'll run some wildcat package with McFadden in the shotgun. Too talented to pass up McFadden, not to mention he's the first home-run hitter they've had in the backfield since a younger Curtis Martin toted the rock.
7. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC - Patriots like to make sound decisions, at least when they are not allegedly cheating. Ellis probably doesn't start immediately, but in 2009, he'll look great next to Vince Wilfork.
8. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College - Not bad value here. They might be able to grab another quarterback later, but at #8 taking Ryan makes too much sense - especially since Kyle Boller still sucks.
9. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy - They are hoping to be all set at CB by pairing McKelvin w/ Leon Hall.
10. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Keith Rivers, OLB, USC - Passing on Cromartie was tough, but Rivers could drastically alter their ability to disrupt defensively. The are very weak in the secondary, but should be able to address later, while the LB crop in the draft is poor - they get the best one.
11. BUFFALO BILLS: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn. St - Many think both Cromartie and McKelvin are not nearly ready to step right in and be great, but for the Bengals and Bills, the potential is there and even if it's not immediate, neither team is ready to win now anyway.
12. DENVER BRONCOS: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt - What a shock, the Broncos take the player the Texans had zeroed in on. Williams is much more solid, than spectacular. But we're talking about a left tackle here and solid is what you want.
13. CAROLINA PANTHERS: Derick Harvey, DE, Florida - Didn't expect Harvey to be there, he's unquestionably the best edge rusher and a bigger need for them than o-line - if they feel otherwise then Brandon Albert would be the choice.
14. CHICAGO BEARS:Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois - He'd be the best player left on the board and a potential star, plus the Bears would be getting a very excited home-town product and be able to move past the very underwhelming Cedric Benson.
15. DETROIT LIONS: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon - They know Tatum Bell is not the answer, but may make the final transition to Stewart a little less bumpy. The offseason toe surgery is not expected to be a lingering issue. He had a problem, surgery fixed it, should be fine this season and seasons to come.
16. ARIZONA CARDINALS: Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt - They toyed with the idea of adding another CB to their secondary. Much more important for Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm to shore up the offensive line.
17. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida - came down to Jenkins and Devin Thomas. There are enough good WRs on the board for them to grab one with one of their 4 remaining picks in the top 82.
18. HOUSTON TEXANS: Branden Albert, OT, Virginia - The Texans might like other tackles better but they are all gone. Nothing wrong with Albert though. Capable of playing either side, a little bigger than they'd hoped to snag.
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There you have it, another possible outcome for the draft leading up to, and including the Texans selection in the 1st round of the draft. If it is the offensive line that they address with the #18 selection, then they almost certainly will nab a cornerback in the 3rd round at #79. Among the possibilities....
Tracy Porter, Justin King and Antoine Cason should be long gone - if any one of them is still there, they'll be the pick for the Texans. More likely one of the following.
- Patrick Lee, Auburn - A 6-footer with good size and speed. Tough kid, would be ready to start very soon. Might already be better than Jacques Reeves, but hopefully not.
- Chevis Jackson, LSU - speed an issue, but this kid knows how to play and was very impressive on the field - maybe slightly less so in workouts.
- Charles Godfrey, Iowa - you know his story. He has the Texans Bull logo tattoed on his hand and would be quite passionate about playing for the Texans.
others...Terrell Thomas, USC; Antwaun Molden, Eastern Kentucky.
----------- WEX
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