2011 NFL Mock Draft: Houston Texans Select Marvin Austin at No. 42

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Houston Texans Take A Shot on Marvin Austin

I have a feeling that the Texans are going to want to address the defensive line in round two, so I think that the obvious choice at No. 42 is going to be Marvin Austin out of North Carolina.

He is by far the best defensive lineman left on the board at this point in the draft and Houston would be getting an absolute steal.

Many experts consider Austin to be a late first round talent, but I see him slipping to No. 42 because he missed all of the 2010 season as part of North Carolina crew that got suspended for taking improper benefits from an agent.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune quoted Austin?s thoughts on the whole situation and wondered if it would raise any red flags for potential suitors.

For his part, the 6-foot-2, 309-pound Austin said he has grown from the experience as it has made him realize nothing can be taken for granted.

"I went from being one of the top players and prospects in the nation to being a guy who's not even talked about," Austin said. "And it was a tough situation having to sit back and watch all the other linemen and not be able to do anything. It made you put things in perspective a lot more."

Interestingly, Austin says he has no regrets. You have to wonder how teams interviewing him accept that answer knowing that by stepping out of bounds he took himself out of the game.

"Everything was a learning experience," Austin said.

In my opinion Austin has way too much talent to pass up on. The Texans will add another dominant piece to their defense at No. 42.

For More Draft Coverage, Check Out Our 2011 NFL Draft Page

Round Two

33. Trade- Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Mallet, QB 34. Buffalo Bills: Andy Dalton: QB 35. Trade- San Francisco 49ers: Christian Ponder, QB 36. Denver Broncos: Benjamin Ijalana, OT	49. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Hankerson, WR 50. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Baldwin, WR 51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mason Foster, LB 52. New York Giants: Titus Young, WR
37. Cleveland Browns: Aaron Williams, CB 38. Arizona Cardinals: Danny Watkins, OG 39. Tennessee Titans: Colin Kaepernick, QB 40. Dallas Cowboys: Stephen Paea, DT	53. Indianapolis Colts: Marcus Cannon, OT 54. Philadelphia Eagles: Clint Boling, OG 55. Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Williams, RB 56. New Orleans Saints: Allen Bailey, DE
41. Washington Redskins: Mikel Leshoure, RB 42. Houston Texans: Marvin Austin, DT 43. Minnesota Vikings: Torrey Smith, WR 44. Trade- New England Patriots: Ras- I Dowling, CB	57. Seattle Seahawks: Orlando Franklin, OG 58. Baltimore Ravens: Rodney Hudson, OG 59. Atlanta Falcons: Jerrel Jernigan, WR 60. New England Patriots: Christian Ballard, DE
45. Trade- Cincinnati Bengals: Kyle Rudolph, TE 46. Denver Broncos: Rahim Moore, S 47. St. Louis Rams: Curtis Brown, CB 48. Oakland Raiders: James Carpenter, OT	61. San Diego Chargers: Tandon Doss, WR 62. Chicago Bears: DeMarco Murray, RB 63. Pittsburgh Steelers: Johnny Patrick, CB 64. Green Bay Packers: Casey Matthews, LB

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