We’d randomly estimate that roughly 99.9% of the football community expects the Houston Texans to select a quarterback with the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The organization, led by GM Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans has spoken at length about needing to find a long-term solution at the QB position this offseason with Davis Mills yet to live up to the billing.
However, there is one crazy idea out there that the Texans, who also boast the 12th overall pick, stemming from the Deshaun Watson trade to the Cleveland Browns, may opt against selecting a QB with their first pick in the draft.
It’s out there, but one league personnel suggested this very idea to NBC Sports’ Peter King with the idea that the Texans could ensure they land their top-ranked player on their draft board and potentially someone who the Arizona Cardinals could have their eye on at No. 3.
Here was how the anonymous NFL team employee spun it.
“It’s a stretch, but I could see Nick (Texans GM) taking (Will) Anderson, then using his second (first-round pick) and trading back up to get his quarterback,”
Unnamed league personnel member speaking to Peter King about Houston Texans
Honestly, we don’t hate the idea, but it feels incredibly risky. We can’t help but imagine a scenario where the Texans go ahead with this plan, select Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr., or another top pass rusher, leaving the Cardinals more interested in a trade back.
If so, this could open the door for another QB-needy team to jump ahead of the Indianapolis Colts at No. 4, possibly leaving the Texans without one of the perceived top-four QB prospects.
In other words, don’t expect this plan to come to fruition, but it sure is fascinating, the idea that a team as desperate as the Texans at the QB position would choose another prospect over the potential face of the franchise. We’ve seen crazier things happen in the NFL, especially on draft day.
Related: 2023 NFL mock draft: Seahawks, Colts land QBs, 2-round NFL Draft projection