[Sfeihc]

The Texans aren't happy with the way this draft has unfolded but in the spirit of Casey Printers, it's chicken salad time!
There were 3 DB's worthy of this pick, they were all off the board by the 11th pick. Mendenhall and Merling would have been the BPA's but they both disappeared from the draft board overnight.
Let's examine the state of the Texans. CB is a major need after Dunta Robinson's hamstring and knee injuries which may keep him on the shelf for all of 2008. I'm just not ready to jump to the next tier of CB's to fill a need, that's how bad drafts are made.
For years mock drafts have had the Texans draft a left tackle. E. Salaam and Jordan Black fill the depth chart at the position. Here's a number that might shock you, the Texans only gave up a mere 22 sacks last season. You can't get much better than that. They also employ the zone blocking system(ZBS) which devalues offensive linemen. Jeff Otah isn't a fit for a ZBS team, too big, too slow. The left tackle from Vanderbilt, Chris Williams, is an intriguing prospect. Very athletic and fluid and could play in the Texans' ZBS.
The Texans have never really had a superstar running back and with Mendenhall off the board and the quality depth in this draft it's a need that can be addressed in later rounds.
One truism that never goes away is that the NFL is a copycat league. Well, this year's champions, the NYG, featured a ferocious pass rush. The Texans have 3/4 of a very good defensive line with Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye and Travis Johnson. The addition of a player like Derrick Harvey would move their defensive line into Giants territory.
The pick comes down to two players Williams and Harvey. Reach for an area that might not be as big of need as perceived or take a player at the top of the draft board?
With the 18th pick in the 2008 Chiefs Planet Mock Draft the Houston Texans select, defensive end, from the University of Florida, Derrick Harvey.