2009 B/R NFL Mock Draft, You Make the Call: Houston Texans

1. Detroit Lions: Andre Smith; Offensive Tackle, Alabama

2. St. Louis Rams: Eugene Monroe; Offensive Tackle, Virginia

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry; Outside Linebacker, Wake Forest

4. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree; Wide Receiver, Texas Tech

5. Cleveland Browns: Malcolm Jenkins; Cornerback, Ohio State

6. Cincinnati Bengals: B.J. Raji; Defensive Tackle, Boston College

7. Oakland Raiders: Jeremy Maclin; Wide Receiver, Missouri

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jason Smith; Offensive Tackle, Baylor

9. Green Bay Packers: Brian Orakpo; Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Texas

10. San Francisco 49ers: Rey Maualuga; Middle Linebacker, USC

11. Buffalo Bills: Aaron Maybin; Defensive End, Penn State

12.  Denver Broncos:  Alphonso Smith; Cornerback, Wake Forest

13.  Washington Redskins:  Everette Brown; Defensive End, Florida State

With the 14th pick in the 2009 B/R NFL Mock Draft, the New Orleans Saints have selected...James Laurinaitis; Linebacker, Ohio State. The Houston Texans are now on the clock.

Assuming that Jonathan Vilma leaves via free agency, the Saints went with the safe pick and took Laurinaitis, the tackling artist from Ohio State. Laurinaitis will be a boost for one of the league's worst defenses, and he will be a great leader on the field for them.

Now we head to Houston, where Gary Kubiak's squad has been hard to figure out the last couple of years. 

In 2007, the Texans went 8-8 and finished in fourth place despite the fact that it was their best season in franchise history. Similarly, in 2008 the club went 8-8 and finished in third place.

So what is this team doing wrong? They are getting off to slow starts, but as the season progresses, they begin to look like a legitimate playoff contender.

In Kubiak's third year as head coach, it's time for the organization to finally make the giant leap into the NFL's postseason.

Here's what I think are Houston's most glaring needs that will be addressed on draft day.

1.  Safety

2.  Defensive End

3.  Outside Linebacker

4.  Interior Linemen

5.  Wide Receiver

You make the call, Texans fans! Vote in the poll for the player you think should be taken with the 15th overall pick in this year's NFL Draft!

1. Brian Cushing; Outside Linebacker, USC

Cushing is probably going to be the favorite for the pick if this is how the draft really plays out. He is a big and fast linebacker who makes plays all over the field.

DeMeco Ryans is a stud at MLB, but the Texans need to address the outside, where Xavier Adibi is emerging but Morlon Greenwood leaves a lot to be desired.

2. Vontae Davis; Cornerback, Illinois

Davis is arguably the most gifted athlete in this crop of players. He is big and fast, and has great potential at the next level.

The Texans want a bone-crushing safety, and there is a possibility Davis could successfully make the conversion. He was willing to lay the wood at Illinois and figures to do the same at the next level.

3. Tyson Jackson; Defensive End, LSU

Mario Williams has already established himself as one of, if not the most dominant defensive ends in the game. Now, he needs some help.

Houston has a history of investing first round picks in defensive linemen (see Jason Babin, Travis Johnson, Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye), and they have turned out one of the best groups in the business.

Jackson is a great run-stopping defensive end who would be a nice complement to Williams.

4. Louis Delmas; Safety, Western Michigan

This would be quite high for Delmas, but there is really no other safety worth consideration in the first round. Delmas is a tough, physical safety, and if he impresses scouts at the combine with his speed, he could cement himself as a first round pick. He would fill a great area of need for the Texans.

5. Percy Harvin; Wide Receiver, Florida

I know this would be a stretch, but Houston needs a legitimate No. 2 receiver. Kevin Walter is excellent, but could do even more damage in the slot. Harvin has the potential to be a superstar at the next level, and he would be an excellent complement to Andre Johnson on the outside.