1 (26) Duane Brown Virginia Tech T- The Texans panicked with this pick and turned heads around the league. They saw a run of tackles and took Brown, who many thought wouldn’t even go on day 1. He isn’t too ready for the NFL now. He was projected as a project LT. He’s not too big and he needs to be more effective to be good at the next level. A former TE, he is blessed with great agility and quick feet. I think if Houston expects him to come in right away and be Schaub’s body guard, then they will be in a bit of trouble. He has great potential, give him a few years to learn and he could become a quality starting LT, maybe even a pro bowler. The fact that they traded down from the 18 spot when Jeff Otah and Rashard Mendenhall were still available lowers my thinking of this pick. Grade: C-

3 (79) Antwaun Molden Eastern Kentucky CB- Molden is a small school prospect who should step in right away and play quite a lot with the injury to Dunta Robinson. He has good size, speed, vertical jump and versatillity. Some think that he should’ve been more productive at the DII level. Might start from day 1 with the lack of depth that Houston has. When Robinson returns, expect Molden to switch to FS. Another pick with great potential. Grade:B

3 (89) Steve Slaton West Virginia RB- Was one of the most productive runners at the collegiate level since his freshman year. He has great speed and could become one of the top 3^rd down running backs in the league. Last year he was overshadowed by fabulous freshman Noel Devine. He should be a perfect fit for Coach Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme. Slaton has tremendous vision and one he he can fit through the smallest of holes. He can also catch out of the backfield. On swing passes and screens out of the backfield, he has the ability to take the ball to the endzone every time. Slaton could become the next Brian Wesbrook, as the best case scenario. One of my favorite picks of the draft was here. Grade: A

4 (118) Xavier Adibi Viginia Tech LB-This is another pick I liked a lot. He plays smart, fast and aggressive. He is a sideline to sideline playmaker and a leader on defense. He is always around the ball. He is slightly undersized and could  potentially become a starter right away for the Texans’ weak linebacking core. He is a talented pass rusher. He is very alert and pass coverage finished off with the 3 interceptions last year. Grade: A

5 (151) Frank Okam Texas DT-This is another great pick this late in the draft. He’s lost 20 pounds since the end of last season and is now around 330. Is one of the best athletes at DT in this last draft. He is very smart on the field. When he plays his hardest, he is one of the best players on the field. The only thing is, he doesn’t do that too often. He is a force against the run and pressures the quarterback well for a guy his size. If Kubiak can get him to concentrate and always “leave it out on the field” then this will look like one of the top picks in the draft. Grade: A

6 (173) Dominique Barber Minnesota S- Marion Barber of the Dallas Cowboys’ brother. Is a great tackler and likes to come up against the run and make a big hit. He has good size and great strength. He is underrated against the pass, due to the fact he plays in the box a lot. At the East-West Shrine Game, he was playing as good of cverage as anyone there. He works very hard. Look for him to become a special team ace as a gunner. Also tallied 3 blocked kicks. He won the Golden Gophers’ team MVP award last year. Grade: B

2 (223) Alex Brink Washington State QB- Started every game from game 6 from his freshman year to the last game of his senior season. He saw his passing yards increase every year over his 4 year career. Kubiak has like this guy for months. He doesn’t have the elite arm strength or accuracy, but he’s good competitor and can escape the pressure and make good throws under pressure. A good leader with a quick, compact delivery. Very smart. A experience passer from the Pac 10, look for him to become a nice backup in the NFL. Grade: B

Overall- Kubiak has made a very questionable decision when he took Super Mario over Reggie Bush two years ago. That one has turned out to be an amazing choice. Kubiak is hoping Brown can turn heads and make everyone eat their words. All of these picks, except for Brink, could end up making a impact in their rookie years. This draft will be the next step forward for this team that finished off 8-8 for the first time ever last year. They play in a tough division, and I think that they WILL take a step forward and get their first winning season in team history. But, they will still most likely finish off in the basement of the AFC South. The only thing keeping this from an A is they passed on Mendenhall annd Otah to move back.  Kubiak proves they know how to build a team with his 3^rd consecutive solid draft. Grade: B+