Texans Draft Dilemma: Quarterback Or Defense With The Second Pick?
The 2023 NFL Draft is just two weeks away. Teams will have plenty of franchise altering decisions to make. One of the teams needing to finally get things right is the Houston Texans. The Texans will have two draft picks in the first round and ten selections overall.
Let’s focus on the team’s most important decision, which is who they should take with the second overall pick. Flashback to Week 18 of the 2022 season. Houston was just 2-13-1 and a loss to the Indianapolis Colts would have guaranteed the first overall pick. The Texans squeaked out a close win and lost out on the first overall selection to the Chicago Bears. Since then, the Bears have traded that pick to the Carolina Panthers. What should the Texans draft strategy be in the first round?
The Texans Could Trade Up
It is likely that Alabama quarterback Bryce Young will be taken first overall. The 2021 Heisman winner has the most tools to succeed despite his smaller size. He’s played in a pro-style offense in Tuscaloosa and can extend plays. Young set the single-season passing record at Alabama in 2021 and has the second-most passing yards and second-most passing touchdowns in program history.
If the Texans are sold on him, they will have to trade up with the Panthers to get him. Carolina also needs a QB, so it will likely be a steep price to pay. Luckily the Texans also have the 12th overall pick and ten total selections. Additionally, Houston is set up with two first round picks in 2024 because of the DeShaun Watson to Cleveland Browns trade. They would have plenty of draft capital to move up to ensure they get the guy they want.
What If The Texans Stay At Two?
The Texans could be in the position where they like multiple players and don’t want to give up future draft picks. If Bryce Young goes first overall to the Panthers or possibly somewhere else, there would still be another highly regarded QB on the board. Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud is also considered to be pro-ready. Stroud has great arm strength and is a very accurate passer. He brought the Buckeyes to the College Football Semifinal where they narrowly lost to Georgia. Despite Young having the preferred style of a quarterback today, a team won’t be disappointed with Stroud.
Houston’s other consideration is defense. They could get a quarterback at two and wait until their 12thoverall pick to address the defense. However, the draft’s best defensive guy, Will Anderson, will already be taken by this point. The Texans might want to go against what everyone expects. Take the game changing defender with their second pick and worry about quarterback later in the draft.
Anderson made a huge impact as a linebacker and edge rusher for Alabama. In three years as a starter for the Crimson Tide, he recorded 115 tackles, 58.5 of them for a loss, and 34.5 sacks. Anderson disrupted opposing quarterbacks and affected the run game anytime he was on the field. He’d be the perfect fit on Houston’s defense and especially their new head coach.
With the hiring of San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, DeMeco Ryans, as head coach, the Texans’ defense is expected to get a serious boost. His defense finished as the top ranked unit in all of football last season. Ryans was previously a linebacker for the Texans from 2006-2011 before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles to finish his playing career. He too played his college ball for Alabama, so the connection between him and Will Anderson would be perfect.
If Houston takes Will Anderson with the second pick, they would have to be content getting Kentucky’s quarterback Will Levis or Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker later in the first round or second. The franchise does have Davis Mills entering his third season and veteran Case Keenum as their current QB’s, but they will need a guy to build around for the future. Comparing Ryans’ defenses in San Francisco, he didn’t need an elite quarterback to have very good teams.
In Closing
Despite coming off two forgettable seasons, the Houston Texans franchise is finally starting to show promise. With multiple first round draft picks this year and next, the team can really get any guy they want to in this year’s draft. The right decisions could finally put the team on track for its first winning record since 2019. It is more likely they address quarterback right away, but do not be surprised if they take Will Anderson, the best non-QB in the draft.
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