Previous Five Picks

13) NFL-Carolina_Panthers-2008_NFL_Mock_Draft_Carolina_Panthers-230208">Carolina Panthers: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami

14) NFL-Chicago_<a%20href=">Bears-2008_NFL_Mock_Draft_Chicago_Bears-250208">Chicago Bears: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville 

15) Lions-2008_NFL_Mock_Draft_Detroit_Lions-280208">Detroit Lions: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas 

16) Cardinals-2008_NFL_Mock_Draft_Arizona_Cardinals-010308">Arizona Cardinals: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida 

17) Vikings-2008_NFL_Mock_Draft_Minnesota_Vikings-030308">Minnesota Vikings: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson 

Click here to see the entire Mock Draft. 

 

The Longest Mock Draft in NFL History Continues...

OK, I get it.  Everyone loves Brett Favre.

Good grief.

Favre’s retirement is getting more media coverage than Hillary trying to steal the Democratic nomination by making back-room deals with Super Delegates.

As far as I’m concerned, Favre was a good quarterback who never quite reached the heights his talent suggested he should.  His longevity should be celebrated, but let’s not get too crazy. 

Fact is, Favre consistently came up small in big games over the last ten years of his career.  He had some major playoff stink bombs, including a six interception performance against the Rams and a four interception performance against the Vikings.

He spoke out against teammates, complained about front office moves, and made every offseason about him—refusing to allow his team to move on.  He even held a press conference once to tell the press that he had nothing to tell the press.

Anyway, I’ll save the real hatchet job for my sports-central.org column this week.

 

Pick No. 18: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans made what turned out to be one of the shrewdest draft decisions in recent NFL history when they selected Mario Williams over Reggie Bush.

In the two years since that draft, Mario Williams has become a nearly unstoppable defensive force and Reggie Bush has become a poor man’s Warrick Dunn.

Score one for Charlie Casserly. 

Casserly may be an annoying know-it-all on CBS, but he was unfairly forced out of Houston for passing over Reggie Bush. 

His ridiculous excuse that he picked the most “signable” player aside, Mario Williams was the right pick.  

Don’t forget, he also grabbed DeMeco Ryans in the second round (who is a pretty good player in his own right) and Owen Daniels in the fourth round (who is a fantastic video game tight-end).

Point is, Casserly was right and everyone else was wrong.

This year the Texans have some obvious needs.  They could use some offensive line help, as was evident by the fact that Matt Schaub was nearly killed last season. 

Being in the Colts’ division, they could also use a corner.  Especially considering the fact that Dunta Robinson might not play this season, and if he does, he won't be 100%.

But unlike 2006, in the 2008 NFL draft there will be a running back available that they just can’t pass up…

 

The Pick: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

Stewart brings 230 pounds of power and 4.48 speed.  He’s the total package as a runningback, something Reggie Bush wasn't.

As tempting as it will be to grab an offensive lineman here, none of them rate as highly as Stewart.  Some people think Stewart will be a better pro back than McFadden.

I'm not sure about that, but he certainly seems like a more natural runner and is much harder to tackle at first contact. 

I just wonder if his physical style will allow him to hold up in the NFL.  But I’m not concerned enough to shy away from him, and the Texans won’t be either.

His mere presence will help Matt Schaub because defenses won’t be able to put their ears back and come after him with no fear of the run. 

Plus, they should be able to improve the offensive line later on in the draft.

Mario Williams should have made Houston forget Reggie Bush already, but if he hasn’t, Jonathan Stewart will. 

I’m SeanMC.

 

SeanMC is a Senior Writer at Bleacher Report. His archive can be found here. You can find everything he writes, including articles for other publications, here.