I've said it before, but I've got it on good authority that BRB is goin' 2.0 in the wee hours of tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.  With any luck, you'll be looking at a new and improved BRB within a few hours, though the site will likely be down while the change is being made.  Keep those fingers crossed!

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Solis has already done an excellent write-up on your Houston Texans' newest RB, one Super Steve Slaton, and in that spirit, BRB will be taking a close look at each player made a new Texan this past weekend.  But before we continue that endeavor, let's take a big picture look at the Houston draft itself.  My reaction(s), after having a night to sleep on everything:

1.  Regardless of what you think of the Duane Brown pick (more on that in a bit), Smithiak's trade with Baltimore was brilliant.  In exchange for dropping back eight (8) spots, the Texans picked up an extra third-rounder and a sixth-rounder.  Remember--the Texans went into the weekend without a sixth round pick, thanks to the acquisition of likely new starting center Chris Myers.  And if you believe what's coming out of Reliant Park (which, of course, could simply be revisionist history), the Texans got their guy in Duane Brown at No. 26 while adding much needed opportunities to grab more talent.

2.  After six (6) seasons in the NFL, I think this is the first draft where none of the players selected will be expected to start from Day One.  While it's certainly possible one or two may grab starting spots in camp and hopefully probable that a few stake their claims to starting gigs as the 2008 season progresses or going into 2009, I do not expect a single draftee to be pushed into a starting role immediately.  Whether that's a testament to the increased talent base at Reliant now or a reflection of the caliber of the draftees is a matter of opinion; I tend to think it's the former.

3.  A day later, I am still positively bullish on Xavier Adibi and Frank Okam.  I think both of those guys will be HUGE contributors by the end of the 2008 campaign.

4.  Not sure if Steve Slaton is ever going to be a three-down back, but I think he's a helluva value pick considering the dude had a first-round grade by many going into his junior season at WVU.

5.  How excited are you at the prospect of Antwaun Molden working with Ray Rhodes at CB?  Considering the kid's physical gifts, I'd rate myself as an "11" on a scale of 1-10.

6.  I get picking up Dominique  Barber; if he doesn't get into the rotation at safety, he can always contribute on special teams.  But Alex Brink?  A QB with virtually no chance of making the squad instead of a flyer at DE?  Particularly considering that an UFA QB would have done the job for camp purposes?  I don't get it.

7.  Speaking of UFAs, a list of seven (7) added last night and today to the Texans (tip of the hat to little visigoth):  LB Ben Moffitt (USF), WR Ryan Grice-Mullins (Hawaii), LB Marcus Richardson (Troy), WR Darnell Jenkins (Miami, FL), TE Cole Bennett (Auburn), DE Jesse Nading (Colorado State), and DT Gabe Long (Utah).

8.  Like many Texans fans, I was shocked at the selection of Duane Brown in Round One.  But as reflected by many of you in the Comments, I think we have to give Smithiak and more importantly, Alex Gibbs, the benefit of the doubt for now.  Fact is, we have no way of knowing whether Brown is the answer at LT.  We do know, however, that Kubes and Gibbs believe he is.  If they thought the chance of losing out on him by moving further back was too great, or that his ceiling is higher than any of the other players they could have gotten at No. 26, or that the team absolutely HAD to get a LT with the first pick of this year's draft, I'm inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt.  Why?  Because of who they've taken in the previous two (2) drafts:

If they say Duane Brown is the guy, I think the track record shows he's probably going to perform.  And with that, I turn it over to you, BRB.  What did you think about the Texans' performance this past weekend?

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The Texans' 2008 NFL draft was all about addressing needs.  Not the least bit concerned with bringing in over-hyped media darlings, they drafted talented players who fit their system.  Offense and defensive needs were met with exacting precision as they took players who showed the kind of athleticism that is essential to the Texans' brand of football.   While no one could have foreseen the trade with Baltimore, the Texans stuck to the script and adjusted on the fly.  It was that trade that allowed the Texans to acquire a player who just may be the playmaking ground threat they've been looking for.

Although he was the smallest player taken by the Texans, he undoubtedly carries the biggest name.  Halfback phenom Steve Slaton, out of West Virginia University, put up gaudy numbers both as a rusher and as a receiver.  He was always a threat to find the end zone, no matter what side of the 50 yard line his team was on.  Below is a chart that quantifies just how talented Steve Slaton is.

Although his production slowed in 2007, he still posted outstanding numbers.  As you can see, he rushed for over a thousand yards each year in the program.  Equally impressive was his 5.8 yards per carry (ypc) average.  That average is on par with Darren McFadden's 5.9 ypc.  The Raiders  selected McFadden with the fourth overall pick, making him the first running back taken in the draft.  There is no doubting McFadden's talent or his ability to carry the load, but he won't have the system nor the coaching staff that Steve Slaton is being welcomed into.  Slaton also has the luxury of coming in as a versatile role player as he adjusts to the NFL, something that McFadden will not have.        

Projected as a complementary back, Steve Slaton has been described as a one-cut-and-go type runner who is built for the zone-blocking scheme.  John M. Kotch Jr. of KFFL.com  had the following pre-draft analysis of Slaton's abilities:

In the post-draft press conference, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan spoke at length about Slaton, his talents, and his projected role with the Texans.  

Shanahan sees Slaton being able to make contributions similar to Reggie Bush and Kevin Faulk.   While neither one of those players are built to carry the load of an every-down back, there is no doubting the mismatches they create coming out of the back field.  Slaton's ability to handle the ball on a draw or catch a pass in the flat should give the Texans intriguing options on third and six (3rd & 6).  

Below is a montage of Slaton's standout plays at West Virginia.  Pay particular attention to his ability to make the initial cut and turn it up field.  It's that kind of explosion out of the hole that should have Texans' fans eagerly awaiting his debut.    

I have high hopes for Steve Slaton.  He could be another dynamic weapon that opens up the passing game for our rock solid receiving corps, and he has the ability to blow by whatever unfortunate linebacker draws his assignment out of the backfield.  With his versatility and his playmaking ability, I expect him to have an immediate impact as the Texans set their sights on the 2008 playoffs.  

We believe in Super Steve!  Let's go Texans!

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Rounding out their 2008 NFL draft, The Texans select their version of Mr. Irrelevant, Alex Brink out of Washington State.

A quarterback at this point in the draft seems curious.  He's noted as being intelligent and gutty, so it stands to reason that he's in the running to lead the practice squad.  I don't think Matt Schaub is going to lose any sleep over this pick.  Neither is Sage or Quinn for that matter.

I would have taken a flier on a WR here, because frankly, that seems to be the only position that ever amounts to anything out to the 7th round (see Colston, Houshmandzadeh, & Driver).

So that rounds out our 2008 NFL draft.  Expect complete analysis of all seven picks in the coming days.  Let the games begin!

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Another pick to shore up the secondary.  Brother of Marion Barber, so I'll probably have some difficulty championing his cause until he proves to be the Abel to Marion's Cain.  Looks like his immediate contributions would likely be on special teams; scouts don't seem to think he's very strong against the pass, which means he'll probably have a tough time getting on the field when those above him on the depth chart are also better against the run.

Thoughts?  

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And with this, I've officially decided I would make out with Rick Smith and/or Gary Kubiak if either or both ever asked me to.  Good God, this is a great pick.  I need to change my shorts.

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Duane Brown can split the moving costs with his former and future teammate.  I freaking love this pick, though I think there are a handful of current Texan linebackers who aren't thrilled that this kid could put them out of work.

I don't want to jinx Adibi, but every quote and story I seem to read remind me of a certain Texan whose name rhymes with "MeDeco."  Am I off my rocker here, or are you as excited as I am?

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And there's your RB, folks.  Slaton had a heckuva career at West Virginia, though he slipped noticeably this past season.  Although I've seen Slaton-to-the-Texans in a handful of mock drafts, I don't believe I saw that until the fourth round in most of them.  In that respect, would Tashard Choice have been a better choice here?  Or is Slaton exactly the kind of one-cut runner who'll thrive in the ZBS?

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Profile here.  Obviously, the Texans were happy to address the glaring hole at CB with this pick.  And the more I think about it, this pick smells a bit to me like Fred Bennett Version 2.0; if that's the case, we'll be thrilled with Molden.

Interesting thing to me is that Smithiak left a handful of better known CBs on the board in favor of taking Molden.  Clearly, they see something they really like in this kid despite the fact that he played at a smaller school.  Jacoby Jones Part II?

What do you think?  Fire away below.

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Your Houston Texans will be busy today, with two (2) picks in the third and one in every subsequent round.  Leave your thoughts throughout the day in the Comments below.

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Hmmmmm.  I get that the guy is allegedly a good fit for the zone blocking system, but in the first round?  With Brandon Flowers, Phillip Merling, and/or Kenny Phillips available?  Unless you're hooked up to a Smithiak Kool-Aid IV drip, this raises eyebrows.

That said, remember Shake's sig line:

I need a(nother) drink.  Discuss in the Comments below if you like.

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Houston sent No. 18 to Baltimore and received their recently acquired first round pick (No. 26 overall), one of their third-rounders (No. 89 overall), and their sixth rounder (No. 173 overall).

It goes without saying, but I'm thrilled.  Much more later...

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