2013 NN NFL mock draft: With the fifty-seventh pick, the Houston Texans select ...

We're on to the twenty-fifth pick of the second round, No. 57 overall in the 2013 Niners Nation NFL mock draft. If you missed parts of the first round, check out our entire rundown.

The Houston Texans are now on the clock, and their Niners Nation GM is Ni9er. With the fifty-seventh pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Texans select Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU.

Explanation: Brian Cushing's injury caused the Texans defense to collapse in spectacular fashion. They went from being ranked first in points (14.0) and yards (273.0) allowed per game through week 4 to 18th in scoring (22.9) and 13th in yards (340.0) afterwards.

The Texans need Brian Cushing to recover fully from his injury but they also need a steady, reliable second inside linebacker. Bradie James the starter alongside Cushing at the start of the 2012 season is now a free agent.They re-signed Tim Dobbins to provide some depth but that doesn't mitigate the need for a second inside guy.

As the general manager I couldn't believe that Kevin Minter lasted this long without being drafted. He is the most prototypical 3-4 inside linebacker in the draft. He is an excellent run-defender with great instincts and play recognition. He sheds blocks well and is a good tackler. He will blitz effectively in Wade Phillips heavy blitz defense and can play in multiple schemes. The only thing that could explain Minter's slide in the draft is his slow 40 yard time (4.81 sec), which raised questions about his ability to cover tight ends or running backs in passing situations. Kevin Minter was the most consistent player in LSU's defense last year and he played at an extremely high level against formidable teams in the SEC. He can stop the run and has the physical attributes to play well in the NFL.

Nick Chiamardas: ILB might be the biggest needed of all for the Texans. Waiting until the second round pays off as they get one of the top inside linebackers in the draft. Minter is a perfect fit for the Texans and figures to fit best into a 3-4 defense. He's a physical, attacking style linebacker capable of shedding blocks and getting to the ball carrier. Minter won't fall this far in real life but in our community mock it's an absolute steal.

Niners Nation Mock Draft, Round 1

1. Kansas City Chiefs -- Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah [Explanation]
2. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia [Explanation]
3. Oakland Raiders -- Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon [Explanation]
4. Philadelphia Eagles -- Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M [Explanation]
5. Detroit Lions -- Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan [Explanation]
6. Cleveland Browns -- Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama [Explanation]
7. Arizona Cardinals -- Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas [Explanation]
8. Buffalo Bills -- Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU [Explanation]
9. New York Jets -- Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama [Explanation]
10. Tennessee Titans -- Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida [Explanation]
11. San Diego Chargers -- Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma [Explanation]
12. Miami Dolphins -- Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina [Explanation]
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State [Explanation]
14. Carolina Panthers -- Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee [Explanation]
15. New Orleans Saints -- Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU [Explanation]
16. St. Louis Rams -- Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri [Explanation]
17. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia [Explanation]
18. Dallas Cowboys -- D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama [Explanation]
19. New York Giants -- Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia [Explanation]
20. Chicago Bears -- Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia [Explanation]
21. Cincinnati Bengals -- Arthur Brown, ILB, Kansas State [Explanation]
22. St. Louis Rams -- DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson [Explanation]
23. Minnesota Vikings -- Keenan Allen, WR, Cal [Explanation]
24. Indianapolis Colts -- Datone Jones, DE, UCLA [Explanation]
25. Minnesota Vikings -- Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington [Explanation]
26. Green Bay Packers -- Damontre Moore, DE/OLB [Explanation]
27. Houston Texans -- Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee [Explanation]
28. Denver Broncos -- Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State [Explanation]
29. New England Patriots -- Margus Hunt, DE, Southern Methodist [Explanation]
30. Atlanta Falcons -- Tank Carradine, DE/OLB, Florida State [Explanation]
31. San Francisco 49ers -- Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International [Explanation]
32. Baltimore Ravens -- Matt Elam, S, Florida [Explanation]
33. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Alex Okafor, DE, Texas [Explanation]
34. San Francisco 49ers -- Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State [Explanation]
35. Philadelphia Eagles -- Kyle Long, OL, Oregon [Explanation]
36. Detroit Lions -- Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State [Explanation]
37. Cincinnati Bengals -- D.J. Swearinger, S, South Carolina [Explanation]
38. Arizona Cardinals -- Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame [Explanation]
39. New York Jets -- Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford [Explanation]
40. Tennessee Titans -- Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, Connecticut [Explanation]
41. Buffalo Bills -- Matt Barkley, QB, USC [Explanation]
42. Miami Dolphins -- Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State [Explanation]
43. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State [Explanation]
44. Carolina Panthers -- Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina [Explanation]
45. San Diego Chargers -- Jonathan Jenkins, DT, Georgia [Explanation]
46. St. Louis Rams -- Eric Reid, S, LSU [Explanation]
47. Dallas Cowboys -- Barrett Jones, C, Alabama [Explanation]
48. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama [Explanation]
49. New York Giants -- Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State [Explanation]
50. Chicago Bears -- Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame [Explanation]
51. Washington Redskins -- Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State [Explanation]
52. Minnesota Vikings -- Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama [Explanation]
53. Cincinnati Bengals -- Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina [Explanation]
54. Miami Dolphins -- Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA [Explanation]
55. Green Bay Packers -- T.J. McDonald, S, USC [Explanation]
56. Seattle Seahawks -- Kawann Short, DT, Purdue [Explanation]
57. Houston Texans -- Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU