(4-26-08)

Texans make Duane Brown first-round pick

HOUSTON (AP) - Virginia Tech left tackle Duane Brown was
selected by the Houston Texans with the 26th pick in the NFL draft.
It marks the first time the team has chosen an offensive lineman
in the opening round.
Brown was one of seven offensive tackles taken in a first round
that started with Miami taking Jake Long as the top overall pick.
Houston had the 18th choice, but traded spots with Baltimore and
added the 89th and 173rd picks in the deal.
The Texans were looking for extra picks after trading their
second round selection to Atlanta for quarterback Matt Schaub last
year. And giving up their sixth round selection this offseason to
Denver for center Chris Myers.
Brown joins a team that has struggled to find a long-term
starter to protect the quarterback's blind side since Tony Boselli
was taken first in the 2002 expansion draft, only to never play
again.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)