Orakpo Leads Quartet of Longhorn NFL Draft Picks

Four Longhorns, led by defensive end Brian Orakpo, were selected in this weekend's NFL Draft. Orakpo went to the Washington Redskins as the 13th player selected in the first round. Defensive tackle Roy Miller was picked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round, while the Chicago Bears chose defensive end Henry Melton in the fourth round and the St. Louis Rams selected running back Chris Ogbonnaya in the seventh.

Following the draft, wide receiver Quan Cosby signed a free-agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Statesman reported that guard Cedric Dockery has agreed to a free-agent contract with the New Orleans Saints. Linebacker Rashad Bobino, defensive back Ryan Palmer, and defensive lineman Aaron Lewis could also sign with teams this week.

Orakpo will sign a huge contract and help immediately with the Redskins' pass rush, playing next to Pro Bowl tackle Albert Haynesworth. Miller finds himself in a favorable situation and should become a valued part of Tampa Bay's defensive line rotation. The Bears regard Melton as a project, but given that he played offense during his first years at Texas and only switched to defense two years ago, it's a project with considerable upside. Ogbonnaya gives St. Louis much-needed depth at running back behind Steven Jackson, where his versatility and knack for picking up the blitz should come in handy.

Although he wasn't drafted, Cosby said he received offers from eight teams as soon as the draft was over. He joins former Longhorn Cedric Benson as a member of the Bengals. Dockery joins his brother, Derrick, in the NFL. Derrick, another former Longhorn, plays for the Redskins.

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