Copied and Pasted from ProFootballTalk.com... I laughed. Porn wants to sponsor your Texans, any thoughts?

Adult Entertainment Company Wants To Sponsor Texans Practice Jerseys

Now that NFL teams are trying to defray the evaporation of advertising revenues from the likes of the car companies, the financial services industry, and Budweiser, they’ll necessarily be opening the door to overtures from businesses with which the NFL wisely won’t want to do business, under any circumstances.

And one such company already is knocking.  (With a fist.  We think.)

Zero Tolerance Entertainment, which makes and markets adult videos, claims that it has approached the Houston Texans regarding the availability of marketing space.

Last week, the Texans acknowledged that they are seeking to take advantage of the new rule that allows NFL teams to allow corporate logos and/or messages to infiltrate the official team practice jerseys.

In a press release circulated by Scott Stein, the company’s director of marketing, Zero Tolerance claimed that an offer involving “several zeros” was made to the Texans.

“Every team in the league starts the season by saying, that they’ll have Zero Tolerance for losing,” the press release states.  “While our offer may not be taken seriously, there is some undeniable synergy between the NFL and the name of our company.”

It’s not that the offer won’t be taken seriously.  After all, the NFL and its 32 franchises are trying desperately in a down economy to raise money through a new universe of revenue streams.  The problem is that the Texans at best will use the offer to leverage someone else into offering more money, since the consequences of doing business with an adult entertainment company would offset any profits arising from such a deal.

Still, teams like the Texans should brace themselves for an onslaught of offers from business interests anxious to take advantage of the availability of advertising space that the traditional advertisers don’t have the money to buy.

It looks like Eli and the New York Giants will soon get their star receiver to replace the self-destructive Plax. According to the rumor mill on Cleveland and NY's webpages Cleveland asked for the Giants' 2nd and 5th picks in this year's draft along with NY wideout Steve Smith (the less talented Steve Smith) in exchange for Braylon Edwards. New York rebuked the deal and countered with a package of the two picks and 1 of 2 receivers: Domenik Hixon or Mario Manningham. The Browns declined, but trade negotiations are still going on and a deal will probably be made by draft day.

Braylon Edwards is young and only a year removed from a record setting 1,200 yard season, but last year fell apart along with the Browns offense. A change of scenery to the stable Giants and Eli Manning will likely produce an all-pro stat line again. The Giants seem bent on having both Edwards and Smith, who would be locks for their 1 and 2 receivers in 2009, meaning they will be removed from the race for late round one receivers like Percy Harvin. This seems to be a very solid move for NY, but Cleveland's logic seems a little more shaky.

The Browns have a talented and expensive, albeit disfunctional team led by former New York Jets head coach Eric Mangini. Conflict was expected to arise between the showboating Edwards and the no-nonsense Mangini, which is what instigated trade talks for the star wideout in the first place. However, Cleveland also recently lost star TE Kellen Winslow to Tampa Bay, and their disfunctional but talented offense is starting to look, well, just disfunctional. Drafting a star receiver or tight end to replace Winslow or Edwards in round 2, especially with NY's late pick is an unlikely prospect, so the only way this trade seems to make sense is if they spend their 5 overall pick on one of the top wideouts in the draft, and use their second rounders to help patch the other glaring holes. All in all it seems like Cleveland is jumping the gun a bit here.

So, how does this affect Houston? Hardly at all, we don't play the Browns or Giants at all this season and aside from some minor pick changes that may or may not take place in the draft or facing one of these teams in the playoffs we probably won't feel it in the slightest. Just some interesting news to think about for all of you football fans.

Around this time of year there is a lot of speculation going on about who will trade up or trade down in the draft, as well as which big name players will be moved for picks on rebuilding teams. Here's 3 deals that are getting some buzz around the league that actually have a chance of coming true on draft day.

1) Cincinati's Chad Ochocinco -> Oakland Raiders

The player formerly known as Johnson has given up on Cincinati and is miserable there, and an unhappy Ochocinco is a plague on the Bengals club house. His work ethic is also shot. In order for any semblance of a rebuilding effort to take place in Cincinati,  owner Mike Brown has to admit just how bad his team is and sell off cancerous limbs like Ochocinco for draft picks that they desperately need. Ochocinco with the right motivation is still a top 10 receiver and will command a lofty price, and Oakland's 7 overall pick is a great place to start. Plus everyone knows that Al Davis has a thing for receivers and problem players, and Ochocinco fits both of those bills. Ochocinco for his part has expressed desire to play in Oakland.

Other Possibility: Philadelphia Eagles - have two first round picks and are desperately in need of someone for McNabb to throw to, so they make logical targets for this trade. I just have doubts that they want to pair McNabb with another problematic receiver again.

2) Cleveland's Braylon Edwards -> New York Giants

It does take a Mangenious to figure out Mangini and Edwards are going to get under each other's skin real quick. Edwards is a top 5 receiver, but a showboater and a media hound, the exact kind of guy that Cleveland doesn't need and Mangini can't tolerate, trade rumors have been blowing out of Cleveland almost immediately after they signed their new coach. The Giants have much more tolerance for this kind of player and a more immediate need of his services with a solid team that just lost its best receiver to idiocy. Edwards is a step up morale wise from Plax, and would be an instant success when paired with Eli. Only two questions remain, if Cleveland ownership will sign off on such a deal, and if NY can afford the price they are asking.

Other Possibility: Philadelphia Eagles - Any time a potential trade for a WR is mentioned on draft day the Eagles names will pop up, they aren't in position to draft the star receiver that they need, but are more primed than any other team in the league to trade for one. I think Edwards and McNabb would be an excellent combination, but for some reason (possibly the price) the Eagles seem more interested in courting the Cinci receiver.

3) Tennesse's Vince Young -> ???

After losing his job last season and becoming a plague on his team's morale with the constant whining and "suicide scandal" the former RoY has been burried on his team's bench and primed for a trade. Kerry Collins a prototypical pocket passer has a lock on starting, probably for the next several years, and the Titans just signed a quality backup in pocket passing Patrick Ramsey, meaning Young and his run and gun offense is likely condemned to the "failed experiments" bin. The scuttlebutt is that the Titans would love to unload Young and his fat cat salary to another team, but exactly who that suitor could be still remains unknown.Young's style lends itself well to playing for bad teams with bad o-lines and bad offensive weapons, so a team like Detroit or Jacksonville could have a talented young QB to improve their team at a bargain bin price if they are simply willing to take the risk. This trade is almost guaranteed if some team will extend even a moderate offer for Vince, but there is a good chance even that won't happen.

While our BRB mock is in full swing it is fun to check in on some of our SB Nation neighbors, many of whom are all doing community mocks. Here's a list of the ones I could find going on right now.

Stampede Blue just posted their pick for the Texans. Go check who the Colts fans picked and tell them what you think. I know I did.

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2009/4/8/827136/with-the-15th-pick-in-the-2009

A few other Mocks going on at SB nation:

Chicago and Detroit are up to pick 14, their picks for Houston will be next:

http://www.windycitygridiron.com/

http://www.prideofdetroit.com/

New Orleans is up to pick 10, and St. Louis at pick 8:

http://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/

http://www.turfshowtimes.com/

The Eagles fans over at Bleeding Green have finished their entire Draft but will start a new one again soon. Arrowhead Pride has also finsihed their first round and are moving into round 2. Here's the posts with the results of the first round mocks:

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2009/4/7/826581/final-2009-bgn-community-mock-draft

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2009/4/7/825804/round-one-of-the-arrowhead-pride

NYG's fans are just starting theirs at the BBV blog. They just turned in pick 4:

http://www.bigblueview.com/

Arizona's ROTB blog has almost finished theirs, they just got to pick 31 here's a link to their pick for Houston at 15. Below it is Denver's Mile High Report's choice for Houston at 15 (I hate this pick), they are currently on pick 25 overall:

http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2009/3/25/809023/rotb-community-mock-draft

http://www.milehighreport.com/2009/3/31/805980/mhr-community-mock-draft-pick-15

And finally as most of you know Mocking The Draft is still going strong with its SB Nation draft. Round 1 was just finished off today and preparations are being made to move into Round 2.

http://www.mockingthedraft.com/

Check em out, especially the Texans picks, and share your thoughts as a Houston fan, many of them certainly need help figuring out just what we need!

Raji and his publicity team are officially going on record now saying that he is certain he did not fail a drug test, and that no one in the NFL or the independant testing agency has informed him otherwise (which they would have if he tested positive). His agents called the reports "cowardly" and "malicious".

“I couldn’t understand how this rumor became such a big splash in the media when there was no evidence—there was no substance to believe it,” Raji was quoted as saying. “Now, I’m happy the truth is out.” Source: Yahoo!

This is a rather bold statement if he really did fail a drug test. Honestly, I doubt the report is true now, and SI.com did little to help its credibility reporting it using only anonymous NFL sources.That is egg on the face of SI.com and NFLDraftBible as well who was the first to claim that Raji was positive for marijuana in paticular, along with acusing many other players including Vontae Davis and USC's Cushing and Matthews of failed drug tests.

The official drug report is to be released later this month by the NFL.

Last night Denver management officially announced that Jay Cutler would be granted his trade request, after a dismal offseason filled with bickering between coach and QB. As TransientTexan wrote back on March 16, Cutler being traded is a generally negative thing for Houston when it comes to draft day, but I would like to add one stipulation. What if the Texans land Cutler instead? Ok, stop laughing, I'm serious.

"But we already have a QB."

 Yes, we do, and we paid a ridiculous sum (2 second rounders) for him. And yes Schaub has shown flashes of brilliance that we never got from our agonizing years with Carr. But that doesn't mean Schaub is our savior, not even close. He has played 11 games with the Texans in each of his two seasons, with Sage Rosenfels stepping in to fill the void in the missing 5. He is injury prone, and now that our backup is shaken ex-Lion Safety Dan, that injury concern is more and more glaring.

"But Schaub's QB rating were better in the 11 games he did play last year than the 16 Cutler started."

Also true, but there are reasons why Cutler went to the pro bowl for the first time last year despite his average QB rating. One is his arm and mobility, his Denver ties have been getting him comparisons to John Elway. While it is doubtful he can live up to such lofty comparisons, his arm strength is on a top five level in the NFL, and his mobility is top notch for a pocket passer. Also Schaub's supporting cast in Houston is A grade, be proud of the fact that the Texans have Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels, and Steve Slaton, while Denver has mediocrity. Cutler's QB rating would improve drastically if shipped to Houston, or any other team with a solid offense.

 Now don't expect the media to report about it, largely because we aren't as stupid as Denver and won't alienate our QB like they did, but we will be making an offer for Cutler just like most other teams, the question is how much effort we put into it. However, unlike most other teams, Houston has several unique characteristics that make them a lucrative trading partner in the Cutler sweepstakes.

The first advantage is Schaub himself. Any trade that Denver makes they will either need to get a QB, or obtain a first round pick to use on a round 1 QB. Do you really think Denver wants to draft another unproven arm, even if it is Matthew Stafford, and start rebuilding the QB position from scratch like they did just a couple of years ago? What if the QB they draft busts, can you imagine the media frenzy and the years of work it would take to fix that damage? The smart move for the Broncos is to deal with a team that can offer them a young talented QB that with some media spinning can look like the future franchise starter for their club. Schaub is on the very short list of those types of players.

The second advantage is the coaching and play system connection that have these two teams so intertwined. Not only do we have Shanahan's protege but also his son working with Schaub. Don't you think that as Mike Shanahan watched his replacement screw up all his rebuiliding work in a single day he got on the phone and started telling Denver management what to do? His word will go a long way and he knows the only guy in the entire NFL that can plug and play back into his system is going to be Matt Schaub. The Texans also would benefit from this connection, as Cutler will be able to adapt to Houston's offense well.

So here's the real question: "Is trading for Cutler really worth the price?"

That's hard to say. Cutler is a once and future pro-bowler who with the right team could some day have his portrait up in Canton. More importantly as far as Houston is concerned, we have no reason to believe he can't start every game for us year in and year out, while Schaub may be one big injury away from ruining the Texans playoff dreams. However, QB is not technically a need position for the Texans, and to deal for Cutler it would cost at least a second rounder, probably a first, in addition to Schaub.

I think it comes down to this: The Texans will improve drastically in consistency and overall offensive performance by picking up Jay Cutler. To me that's worth nearly any price. Even Jenkins, my favorite first rounder, can't offer us such hope. My suggestion? Offer them no more than Matt Schaub, our first rounder, and Sage Rosenfels' round 4 pick, and call it Sage's last gift to Houston. There are going to be many other offers, and some teams might overpay, but that offer would be as good as any on the board.

Here's to hoping for the unrealistic chance that we will see Jay Cutler in red and blue this summer.

Further proving TransientTexan's theory that any asshole can do it, here is a BRB second opinion draft featuring explanations for each team's pick.

I have not alotted for any trades to occur in round one for the purpose of picking, but I may have commented where they are likely.

2009 Mock Draft

1) Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford QB, Georgia

Transient's draft and many, many, others have Detroit passing on a QB and opting for Baylor's Jason Smith. Smith is the safest pick in the entire draft, and has physical upside and an excellent attitude. But the reason for this pick plain and simple: the difference between an excellent tackle and a good tackle picked up in round 2 or 3 is measured in a handful of extra sacks and tackles, while the difference between a muscular NFL poised QB like Stafford and a project like Sanchez or Freeman is wins and losses. Even if he gains pro level instincts Freeman will likely be a Stafford at best, and that will take time, while Sanchez will be more likely to flame out because of a lack of ideal physical tools. All three may be winning NFL QBs someday, but Stafford is the closest thing to a guarantee, and only Stafford can step in and produce results right now. Many people want the Lions to avoid this pick because of flameouts like Alex Smith or our own David Carr that get taken with the number one overall pick, but think less about them and more about what drafting Manning number one overall did for the Colts. This is a zero pressure situation to boot, all Stafford would have to do is lead Detroit to a single win and they would already be doing better than last year. If they take him, he will lead them to several. The Lions need that, and they may not get a chance at a starter with their second pick anyway.

2) St. Louis Rams - Jason Smith OT, Baylor

This is a personal privelage for me, as I am currently a senior at Baylor University (sic 'em Bears) and have gotten to meet Jason Smith and speak with him on several occasions. Smart and athletic, easy to get along with, and nearly unlimited physical upside at a difficult position. This draft is deep with tackles and Smith is the best in class, so the Rams get an excellent player to try and help Bulger and Jackson, both former pro-bowlers, get their games back on track.

3) Kansas City Chiefs - Michael Crabtree WR, Texas Tech

This isn't the smart football pick here, that would definately be Aaron Curry. But smart business says that the Chiefs want to draw their fans to the Matt Cassell show, and that show better be a success. Crabtree is hailed as a Larry Fitzgerald type receiver, and although I doubt he will ever be that good he will certainly transition to the pros well with his big hands and quick speed. The Chiefs need a linebacker more, but they are still fairly dry on offensive weapons, the aging Gonzales and the raging Johnson aside. A Crabtree / Cassell combo will make Matt happy, Chiefs fans happy, and most importantly it will make Clark Hunt's wallet happy. As far as trading down to pick Crabtree up is concerned that is highly unlikely at this point, Seattle, a team that loves to gobble up wideouts, would certainly be at least tempted to make a move on him and that isn't worth the risk for the Chiefs. Besides the Browns and anyone else in the top 10 picks doesn't really have much of a need to trade up at this point, the talent pool is still very deep.

4) Seattle Seahawks - Aaron Curry OLB, Wake Forest

For some reason many people seem to believe that Seattle is out of the hunt for a linebacker this year, when in fact that is anything but a sure thing. The undrafted D.D. Lewis has performed well on the weak side as a stop gap, but he has been without a sack for the last two years, and hasn't played a full contingent of games since 2002. Seahawks have been heavily courting Curry, having him over for workouts as recently as this past week, and if he falls into their laps at pick 4 they will take him. If Curry isn't here at this point and Stafford is there's a very good chance the Hawks will nab him and sit him on the bench for a couple of years to replace the aging Hasselbeck. Would be a sad waste of an NFL ready QB, but you can't blame them.

5) Cleveland Browns - Eugene Monroe OT, Virginia

The Browns are a bit of an engima to figure out in this year's draft, an issue that has the media and probably Cleveland's own office all scratching their heads at just who to take. The Browns looked like a super bowl calibur team at the end of the 2007 season, but then had one of the most sizzling meltdowns in the league's history, putting up a dismal season as if all their players forgot how to do their jobs. So how do you fix such a talented/pathetic team? That's the question. At this point the Browns don't really have a better choice other than to just take the most solid, talented, player left on the board and hope that it leads to some consistancy. Monroe will give excellent protection to Anderquinn and company, and is honestly interchangeable in talent with Jason Smith. He could easily go earlier than this, but if the Browns get him then it should be one less position that they have to be concerned about.

6) Cincinati Bengals - Brian Orakpo DE, Texas

With the release of Houshmandzadeh, Cincy has set itself up to go into rebuilding mode. They should be involved in at least one, if not more draft day trades, and dealing this pick and Chad Johnson for more picks would be an excellent start. However assuming they do utilize this pick, it will almost certainly be on the defensive side of the ball, an area where the Bengals are nearly always talentless. The offense doesn't know which way is up either, but Carson Palmer has the talent to get them back on track once healthy. B.J. Raji would be an interchangeable pick here, but Orakpo is probably the more talented player.

7) Oakland Raiders - B.J. Raji DT, Boston College

The Raiders are known for stupid picks at stupid times because they love flashy players with excellent physical gifts. Crabtree would be eaten here in a heart beat, but without any other top 10, or even top 20 talent at wide receiver in this draft the Raiders will be stuck picking a boring defensive pick. Fortunately for them, Raji, is a physical juggernaut that should remind of the days when Warren Sapp was good.

8) Jacksonville Jaguars - Mark Sanchez QB, USC

If they can there is a very good chance the Jaguars will look to trade down here, with the best talents on the board being at positions they don't need. However, the Jaguars are one of the few teams with a Quarterback that is good enough to start, but not good enough to win. This would be an ideal situation for Mark Sanchez who, with proper coaching, would be ready to take over this team by next year. Stafford would be taken here first, but there's little chance he falls past Detroit, St. Louis, and Seattle. Assuming they opted not to take a QB here, a risk on Andre Smith or Jeremy Maclin could be an option, or they might end up reaching for a lower end player they had their eye on.

9) Green Bay Packers - Everette Brown OLB, Florida State

See TransientTexan's reasoning for this pick. He's pretty dead on. Green Bay definately needs help on the defensive side, and Brown is a safe bet to add that needed presence. Also, based on Jenkins performances in the offseason it is probably still too early for most teams to consider drafting him here when there are still guaranteed elites on the board.

10) San Francisco 49ers - Andre Smith OT, Alabama

Once again, see Transient's reasoning. However don't be surprised if Andre's stock falls farther than this and the 49ers opt for Michael Oher instead. Also if Sanchez is still available here expect the 49ers to be tempted, but they are more likely to make a move to try and pick up Freeman later in the draft. Sanchez is too similar to Smith, and the last thing SF needs is another first round flameout.

11) Buffalo Bills - Aaron Maybin DE, Georgia Tech

The Bills front office scares me. Remember 2006 when they spent a ridiculous amount of picks to trade up for pick 26 and grab a second first rounder? Then they spend it on John McCargo, a player who probably still would have been there in the third round! This is the same McCargo who passed out at training camp and the same McCargo that they tried to trade away to the Colts in October but couldn't because he failed his physical. I'm so sorry for Buffalo fans, but if one thing is for certain the Bills tend to draft on what they think is potential, and a young talented bruiser like Maybin won't escape their wandering eyes. Maybin is a project to be sure and this is a win now year for Buffalo after signing T.O., but when have the Bills ever applied logic to their picks?

12) Denver Broncos - Rey Maluaga ILB, USC

The Broncos need defense in the worst way, and Rey is the best bet at this point to provide it. Talented middle linebackers can have an impact on almost every play, and right now if you are Denver what more can you ask for.

13) Washington Redskins - Michael Johnson DE, Georgia Tech

Washington broadcasted this pick when they cut Jason Taylor and didn't sign anyone else worth starting. DE is a deep position in this draft and the Redskins will almost certainly end up with Johnson, Maybin,  or Ayers. They may even have a choice between all three. Any one of them would be a solid addition.

14) New Orleans Saints - Brian Cushing OLB, USC

With the acquisition of Sharper taking Jenkins here makes little sense unless the Saints want to bully Houston. Which they would. Vontae Davis is still an option here, as is trading down, but if they keep this pick the safest bet would be Cushing. A tremendous playmaker with unlimited physical upside, Cushing would be doubtful to flop. He has some off the field issues at times, but the Saints proved they were willing to deal with whiny white boys when they picked up Jeremy Shockey. Cushing will do well for New Orleans.

Update: The Saints sign another safety, not a big name, but still why would they be stocking up on so many safeties if they had any intention of drafting Jenkins. http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aq41Ur5ZPHyDuR.TSErPEzFDubYF?slug=ap-saintsmoves&prov=ap&type=lgns

15) Houston Texans - Malcolm Jenkins CB, OSU

When I first began this mock draft I had no intention of letting the Texans sink their teeth into Jenkins, but when you go back and think about it none of the teams before Houston have a good incentive anymore to draft him. Not to say some team may not come out of the woodwork (lets say Jacksonville or Denver) and grab him, but there's just too many other needs that the other teams will be addressing first. Lets face it, safety is generally a low priority position in football, but one the Texans have been needing for years. Knock on wood Texans fans. If he isn't available here or even if he is the Texans may still opt for a linebacker, probably Matthews or Cushing, or attempt to trade down.

16) San Diego Chargers - Jeremy Maclin WR, Missouri

The Chargers have been lining Rivers up with mediocre wideouts for years. Chambers and Jackson are both washed up talents, and having them fight for their jobs against a talented project like Maclin would put a fire under their butts. This would also be an excellent system for Maclin to develop in, alongside veterans with an all-star supporting cast of Gates, Tomlinson, and Rivers. The Chargers have alot of needs and Oher or Ayers could be picked up here as well, but they can't put all the weight on Gates and Tomlinson to make the big plays, and they will continue to drop important games.

17) New York Jets - Josh Freeman QB, Kansas State

Freeman has gotten the media love drunk on his potential, but truth be told he should be picked in the second round. However the Brett Favre show left the Jets with little choice but to make sure they get a starting QB in this draft. There is a very good chance that neither Jacksonville nor San Francisco will pickup Sanchez and he will fall into the Jets laps, in which case they may opt for him instead. The only way I don't see the Jets making a move on a QB in the first round is if they trade for one on draft day instead.

18) Chicago Bears - Michael Oher OT, Mississippi

A tremendous value for the Bears at this point, Oher is a top talent and the Bears need support up front if they are going to continue to vouch for Orton as their QB. If Sanchez or even Freeman fell to them the Bears may break their word and draft one of them, Orton is not a long term solution for this team. The Bears may even trade up to get in front of New York to fill this need, but odds are they play conservative and make the smart move on Oher.

19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Peria Jerry DT, Mississippi

For a team drafting so late the Bucs may have more problems with their club than any other in the draft, save the Lions. The offense is especially shoddy. Ward has pinched hit well at tailback, probably won't do it again but they will let him try. The acquisition of Kellen Winslow has helped to address receiving concerns, but they are still present as well. Still there's no wideouts worth taking at 19. Finally the QB hole on this team is nearly as big as Detroit's, but there probably aren't any passers left in round one so unless they make a move up or down this pick won't be used towards one. So the Bucs will turn towards defense where their d-line is a concern. Jerry is lightning quick, strong, and will immediately improve the somewhat limited Buccaneers pass rush.

20) Detroit Lions (Pick 2) - Eben Britton OT, Arizona

Now that the need for a QB has been filled the Lions comfortably sit back and address other needs. First priority is picking up a solid tackle to protect their new prodigy. Britton may not be Jason Smith but he is an elite tackle nonetheless and has all the brains and work ethic to be a future pro bowler, assuming he can bulk up a little bit.

21) Philadelphia Eagles - William Beatty OT, UConn

The last of the elite tackels falls into Philly's lap and they gobble him up. Beatty like the other elite tackels has the mentality and strength to start immediately, filling a big hole for Philly. People who think that the Eagles are going to burn a first round pick on a RB are nuts, it would push away Westbrook and is simply unnecessary. Look for them to buy Westbrook some insurance in round 2 or 3, but not here. Brandon Pettigrew is an option as well, but he will likely fall to the Eagles again at 28. Beatty won't.

22) Minnesota Vikings - Hakeem Nicks WR, North Carolina

Another team needing a QB that won't be able to get one in round one. At least the Vikings (unlike other QB-less teams) were proactive in picking up a competitor in Rosenfels to challenge Jackson for the starting role. A WR is a trendy pick for the Vikings this year, some saying Nicks others saying Maclin, but in reality it isn't a huge position of need for the Vikings, its just the best thing that they actually are capable of addressing. There's a good chance the Vikings will look to trade this pick down for several smaller picks, or maybe even surprise everyone by trading up for a QB. Also adding a good safety like Sean Smith  to their already rock solid defense might be an option.

23) New England Patriots - Robert Ayers DE, Tennessee

By draft day the Julius Peppers saga will have played out enough that the Patriots will know whether or not he is obtainable for them. Assuming they don't get him the Pats shrewdly draft Ayers here, a strong NFL ready, pass rushing, head banging, big play making DE. He isn't Julius Peppers but New England still makes out like bandits grabbing him this low in the draft.

24) Atlanta Falcons - Clay Matthews Jr. OLB, USC

Coy Wire may be the worst active starting linebacker in all of football. Replacing him with Matthews Jr. is a huge no brainer upgrade for the ailing Falcons defense. A DE and CB are also options here so you could see them pickup Davis or Ayers if they are still available, but upgrading that weakside linebacker spot should be priority one.

25) Miami Dolphins - Ron Brace DT, Boston College

If Coy Wire is one of the worst linebackers in football, the aged Jason Ferguson is the among the worst nose tackels. Brace, regardless of how over or underhyped he is, will be some sort of an upgrade here. LSU's Tyson Jackson is an option here as well but he has a much better chance of falling to Miami again in the early second round than Brace does.

26) Baltimore Ravens - Chris "Beanie" Wells RB, OSU

Lets face it, the Ravens riding McGahee into the ground is something none of us want to see. At pick 26 the Ravens get a bargain on Chris Wells who can come in under the tutelage of McGahee and take some of the load off of his aging shoulders. Assuming the demunitive Ray Rice, Baltimore's second round pick last year, pans out this would still be a good pick, as Rice and Beans (awesome) would be the new lightning and thunder.

27) Indianapolis Colts - Percy Harvin WR, Florida

The Colts need to replace Harrison, and have the time to grow a project receiver to do it. Harvin is the best receiver left on the board and fits that bill perfectly.

28) Philadelphia Eagles (Pick 2) - Brandon Pettigrew TE, Oklahoma State

The best of a shallow class of tight ends, Pettigrew will be a solid starter and maybe even future pro bowler for the Eagles. He'll need some work on his run protection of course (especially in Philly) but there is no better option in this year's draft.

29) New York Giants - Darius Heyward-Bay WR, Maryland

The Giants are running out of options for Eli Manning to throw to after losing Shockey and maybe Burress. They also lost out on the Houshmandzadeh sweepstakes that everyone favored them to win. So they get Heyward-Bay, a fast, big handed, vertical threat. Plaxico lite, gun not included.

30) Tennessee Titans - Evander Hood DT, Missouri

The obvious pick: Tennessee needs to fill the big fat hole left by the departure of Haynesworth and the best way to do that is to pick up the best DT left on the board at this time. On my board thats Evander Hood, on other people's it might be Rod Brace or even Fili Moala.

31) Arizona Cardinals - Knowshon Moreno RB, Georgia

Among mock drafters this pick is nearly unanimous. The Cardinals, supposing they fall in love with Chris Wells could attempt to get active in the trade and make a move, but odds are they sit there and let the underhyped and extremely talented Knowshon Moreno fall into their laps.

32) Pittsburgh Steelers - Sean Smith CB, Utah

Smith is the most talented DB left on the board, making big plays for the Utes nearly every time the ball came near him. He could play either CB or Safety in the NFL and the Steelers will probably try him out at CB first then switch him to Safety if it doesn't work out. An extremely fortunate pick for a Steelers team who just lost McFadden to the free agency.

Thanks to TransientTexan for his original BRB mock draft, and thanks in advance to you guys for all your comments. If you liked this post please be sure to click the rec button and recommend it to others.

It is fairly well established in most circles, and definately here on BRB, that the Texans are fishing for players to combat the pass on defense. They made a big step signing Smith to replace the useless Anthony Weaver in the offseason, but the Texans are still fielding a mediocre secondary and largely undersized linebackers, which is why Malcolm Jenkins and Clay Matthews, Jr. have become the flavors of the week. However I would like to ask these words to you in regards to two other players: Why Not?

1) Why not Vontae Davis?

Davis has excelled in combine workouts and at pro day, areas where Jenkins flopped. Reeves had a solid season last year for the Texans, but is hardly a long term #2, and he could easily revert to the mediocrity that got chased out of Dallas. Additionally Robinson, the only true "keeper" in the secondary, may not stick around much longer after his conflict with Smith over the franchise tag. Davis, who is known for quick speed and his small build is very comparable to Robinson when he first entered the league as a hit/miss corner. If Jenkins if off the board by pick 15 (or even if he isn't) why not take a flyer on Davis, a sure first rounder, than reach on Matthews?

2) Why not Brian Cushing?

Cushing, playing opposite of Matthews at USC was originally hailed as the better of the two players, but after excellent showings by Matthews at the senior bowl, actually fell behind on many draft boards. While Matthews is slightly stronger on the pass rush, Cushing has proven himself to be a ball hawk in coverage as well as a strong asset against the run. His physical strength and build is ideal for the linebacker position, and Cushing is known to have "tremendous physical upside" contrary to Matthews whose limited build has made his upside questionable. Finally while Cushing has always been seen as mid to low first rounder, Matthews has been hyped up and down the boards, and even into the mid and low second round, a sign that scouts and media personel are having trouble determining whether Matthews will be the senior bowl standout or just the guy that played opposite of Brian Cushing. If the Texans have to grab a linebacker at pick 15, why not Cushing?

I'm not saying either of these players is necessairly the right pick, but lets get some dialogue going about them.

Any college football fan will tell you that the awesome tandem of Steve Slaton and his quarterback Pat White was something not to be missed. As Slaton's QB, White a run and gun quarterback, put up big numbers in both passing and rushing throughout his collegiate career, and now is considered one of the top 5 QBs in the draft, projected to go in the third round.

Until recently nearly everyone thought White's game could only transition to the pro-level at the wide out position, but White has taken advantage of pro day and workouts and has changed the mind of many of his doubters.

After trading away Rosenfels and picking up Safety Dan to backup the oft-injured Schaub should the Texans seek to spend a third round pick to reunite Slaton with his former QB? Or is White still too big of a risk, especially since the Texans offense has always catered to pocket passers?

I know Dorsey's brief minutes with the Rockets weren't hyperproductive (or even productive), but wouldn't times like this be an ideal chance to call him out and give him another run? Didn't the Rockets draft him to be insurance for the oft injured Yao and Landry (yes I know Landry is injured not because of physical strain but because of a bullet)?

He certainly can't do much harm if our best options are the ancient (but still hardcore) Mutumbo and the exceptionally limited Chuck Hayes.

A number of new/updated mock drafts have the recently surging Linebacker Clay Matthews, a favorite by many for the Texans' pick (including on this site), inexplicably falling all the way into the early second round, including the newest Yahoo! post.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=ArqAyixIILI70aGrijg8S8E5nYcB?slug=ys-mockdraftvi031709&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Two interesting thoughts came to mind. Just for fun:

If Matthews was to fall so far as the early second round could the Texans pass up the chance to trade up and grab him, especially if they opted for a corner in the first round?

Also, Clay Matthews was originally projected as a mid-second rounder, but shot up after a strong showing at the senior bowl. Scouting reports almost universally declare that his two greatest weaknesses are his mediocre pass rush (something the Texans are desperate for) and his somewhat limited physical upside. If the Texans are unable to trade down in round 1, should they spend that pick still on Matthews, a player expected to drop much further than that (even generous mock drafts have him going in the early/mid twenties if the Texans don't take him)?

Ok so the Rockets are doing better without Tracy. I have seen it here, I have heard it on the TV, the radio, and all over the web. And I am here to say, big freaking deal.

T-mac is often injured and is certainly not perfect on or off the court, but the fact is he will make the Rockets a better team once he is healthy. If you don't believe me just look at the epic 22 game winning streak Houston posted last year around this same time, most of it without Yao Ming who was lost for the season. Who do you think kept the team running when the big man went down? Rafer Alston?

And in the playoffs against the Jazz in 2008 T-mac led the Rockets in every game except game 1, putting up big assist, rebound, and point totals. His superhuman performance in the final loss of game 6 had him scoring nearly half the team's points, dishing out half of the team's assists, and grabbing a quarter (10) of the team's rebounds from the guard position.

So give credit to guys like Battier and Scola for making us forget how good T-Mac can be for this team, but don't forget that they did the same thing to a 7-6 Chinese man last year.

Earlier this week the Texans jettisoned starting defensive end Anthony Weaver in exchange for some financial relief and cap space. Weaver was underperforming at defensive end and was significantly overpayed, but since he has been starting nearly every game for the past three years.. it is painfully obvious to the entire NFL that the Texans don't have anyone better.

So here's the dilemma: if the Texans don't sign somebody into that defensive end roll in the free agency they have just shot themselves in the foot. The draft is very shallow on elite DE talent, and a lot of teams before the Texans will be swooping in and picking the few good ones off the board. Even fewer of these DE's would transition well to a pro 4-3 defense, with many needing to be retooled into 3-4 OLB's.

Sure we could always trade down, but Smith is just as likely to make an early round reach on a lower quality end if he sees his team going into the season with no legitimate starter. If nothing else they would be telegraphing their pick to everyone in the nation before the draft even starts. It is time the Texans start making a serious run at Arizona's Antonio Smith or Dallas' Christ Canty, or at least make a grab at a Kenny Peterson type and pretend he will be your new "project" starter. Otherwise this may very well turn into a draft day fiasco for the Texans.