The Ravens traded recently their recently acquired first-round pick (No. 26) and third-round pick (No. 89) as well as a sixth-round pick (No. 173) to Houston for the No. 18 pick. Baltimore's selection: Delaware QB Joe Flacco, the mystery man in this draft, a big, strong-armed pocket passer who probably will get every chance to beat out Kyle Boller and Troy Smith to start in his first NFL season.

Was this a high price for Baltimore to pay? Absolutely. But the Ravens clearly believed someone was going to move up between picks 18-25 to get a quarterback. And they were not taking that risk.

Personally, I think Flacco has an uphill battle to start in his first season unless he 1) clearly outplays the other quarterbacks and 2) wins over the veterans, and don't underestimate that aspect -- this is a team that suffered through a terrible season in '07, and rebuilding is not something the veterans don't have time for.

Boller, flawed as he is, might give Baltimore the best chance to be competitive in 2008.

The Texans now have seven draft picks. Expect them to address the defense with the 26th pick.