2008 SB Nation Mock Draft--The Time Is Upon Us

by Tim on Apr 6, 2008 8:54 AM CDT in News

The moment that we've been dreading is nearly here. In the best damn fake draft on the internet, your Houston Texans are dangerously close to being on the clock. Keeping in mind that the rules of this exercise dictate that we can't trade out of the No. 18 spot, here's what's transpired so far:

MIA--Chris Long, DE
STL--Vernon Gholston, DE
ATL--Jake Long, OT
OAK--Darren McFadden, RB
KC--Sedrick Ellis, DT
NYJ--Glenn Dorsey, DT
NE--Leodis McKelvin, CB
BAL--Matt Ryan, QB
CIN--Keith Rivers, LB
NO--Dominique Rodgers-Cromatrtie, CB
BUF--Malcolm Kelly, WR
DEN--Derrick Harvey, DE
CAR--Ryan Clady, OT
CHI--Rashard Mendenhall, RB
DET--Chris Williams, OT
ARI--Mike Jenkins, CB
MIN
HOU

Yikes. If the chips fall this way on April 26th, I'll lose any lingering semblance of sanity. First choice, obviously, would be to trade out of this spot as quickly as possible. But we can't do that here. So who should we pretend to coronate as a new Texan?

According to my working big board, my remaining best available are Phillip Merling, Jeff Otah, Brandon Albert, Kentwan Balmer, and Aqib Talib (in that order). Jonathan Stewart is also ripe for the picking. Or is there someone else you think would be a better fit?

I'm going to impose a 2 p.m. CDT deadline for us to make a decision today. So what does BRB think? Do we go DE? DT? Should we take the best available DB on the board? Do we take Otah and overlook the concerns that he might not be able to play LT in the NFL and/or that he might not be a great fit for the zone blocking system? Make your pick and tell us why it's the best option for the Texans in this scenario in the Comments below.

Tweet Comment 20 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Who to pick

Well, if Merling is miraculously available, all three of the draft boards would have him as their top pick. The problem is, I can't imagine the vikings drafting anyone but Merling.

If you look at everyone's next two picks, after Merling, It's between three players. Jonathan Stewart, Jeff Otah, and Branden Albert.

None of these players is really an easy value pick. With Jonathan Stewart, the problem is that we've already got a crowded backfield. The upside is that we can cut Darius Walker, sign him to the practice squad, and whenever Chris Brown and Ahman Green get injured,we can just bring him back.

With Jeff Otah, the downside is that he projects more like a RT. The problem with this, is that our RT position is sewn up, and we don't really need to be paying first round money for depth at RT. The upside is if the people scouting him are all idiots (luckily, this is highly probable) and he turns out to be a stud LT, and anchors our line for the next 15 years.

With Branden Albert, the downside is that he could potentially be another Chester Pitts (minus the false starts and holding penalties). Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Pitts, but we don't need two of him, and we definitely don't need to be paying first round money to a second Chester Pitts. The upside is that there is a chance that he will be able to excel at LT. Judging from the way that he pulls as a G, I would imagine that he's got good feet, and considering that Alex Gibbs likes linemen who are a little smaller, and more agile, he could be a great fit.

Jonathan Stewart is definitely the flashy pick. With Otah and Albert though, even if they don't work at LT, it's a safe bet that they'll be able to play somewhere on the line. With Stewart, if he's a bust at RB, he's just a bust. All in all, I'm less concerned about Jonathan Stewart being a bust, and I think that with Ahman Green and Chris Brown being the main components of our backfield, we're going to need help at RB sooner rather than later.

To recap, pick J-Stew.

AKA Andy / Tailgate Andy

by Gryften on Apr 6, 2008 9:27 AM CDT reply actions

Good call

The problem is, I can't imagine the vikings drafting anyone but Merling.

Good call there. (-:

The Daily Norseman - The best damn Vikings' site anywhere.

by GonzoDN @ Battle Red Blog on Apr 6, 2008 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions

Figured that...

And congrats on the new fake Vike.

We can be critical of the draft picks, but in the end we always support the new Texan.

by Shake on Apr 6, 2008 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions

re:

My crappy little board doesn't reflect this latest bit of knowledge concerning Otah & the LT position.

So it sounds like either Otah or Albert would be a gamble for the LT position. And since I'm not Alex Gibbs, I am at a total loss for how feasible either would be.

At this point (even with signing R&B sensation Chris Brown), I'd say take Stewart. Well that, or blow everyone away and reach for Cason or Balmer.

We can be critical of the draft picks, but in the end we always support the new Texan.

by Shake on Apr 6, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Agree

I agree with this. I think the others are a bit of a reach and none of the OT prospects are really what we need. We would need Albert to play tackle rather than guard, and it sounds like he's not quite ready. Likewise, if Otah is more of a RT than an LT, we don't need him. That said, we've needed a legitimate RB for what, two years now? I'd rather fix the Oline first, but with the way the board went I think STewart is the best pick.

by Jimbo on Apr 6, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Also

Ballmer blew his pro day workout (uncooperative)

Albert has been linked to the Texans and Broncos. But even if he projects to guard, is an all-pro guard a bad thing?

In this situation, I would go Phillips (FS) or Talib. Phillips is more of a sure thing.

Phillips gets my vote

by kozanack on Apr 6, 2008 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Alberts gets my vote

Brandon Alberts is now a top 10 player (no. 7) according to Mike Mayock. I think we have to go Albert if he is that good. He can play left guard NOW and learn from Salaam to play LT. Plus he is smart!...way more than 6 on the wonderlic.

by danger man on Apr 6, 2008 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions

here's a vote for Ballmer

Albert's OK, but I think we could get some talent that fits Gibbs' scheme later on.

by bigfatdrunk on Apr 6, 2008 2:37 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks to Everyone Who Voiced An Opinion

I just turned in our fake pick. Stay tuned to Mocking the Draft for the big reveal. My understanding is that it should be posted around 5 p.m. CDT today.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Apr 6, 2008 2:52 PM CDT reply actions

re:

tease

by bigfatdrunk on Apr 6, 2008 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions

re: tease

Like you expected anything else from Tim...

We can be critical of the draft picks, but in the end we always support the new Texan.

by Shake on Apr 6, 2008 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions

so true

It reminds me of the time I asked him to get me a beer while he was up, and he brought me a Coors Light! WTF!?!?!

Beer tease.

by bigfatdrunk on Apr 6, 2008 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Hahahahaha

hahahahhaha.

Yes. It's that funny.

To DE or not to DE... that is the question.

by SOLIS on Apr 6, 2008 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions

re: re: tease

Quick, someone get some Zima's. Maybe Scott will tell us.

AKA Andy / Tailgate Andy

by Gryften on Apr 6, 2008 3:54 PM CDT reply actions

The pick is good but....

I like the Jonathan Stewart pick but I just don't think they will pick a running back this early...but if they do, I definitely would be excited. I just hope that someone gets wind that the Bucs are thinking about picking Brohm at 20 and trades up to 18 to get him for an early second and a third (hello Atlanta!).

by danger man on Apr 6, 2008 5:15 PM CDT reply actions

On the bright side...

At least we'll get to pick one spot ahead of where we were originally, when Minnesota inevitably fucks up and doesn't get their pick in on time.

by Nashmeister on Apr 7, 2008 3:32 PM CDT reply actions

If you don't take stewart

you are insane.

He is One-Cut and Go bliss. Forget the toe, it is meaningless and he will be full speed for training camp.

Tell me again why Ahman Green is still on your roster????

Mile High Report

by Jeremy Bolander on Apr 8, 2008 3:34 AM CDT reply actions

re: Green

During his free time last season (of which, he had plenty), he was able to use his telephoto to get some compromising pictures involving ___ _____. (insert dirty phrase, like Mad Libs)

We can be critical of the draft picks, but in the end we always support the new Texan.

by Shake on Apr 8, 2008 6:42 AM CDT up reply actions