Texans Could Pass on QB - How Cardinals Would be Biggest Winners

The Houston Texans have been reported to be passing on a quarterback with the second overall pick and this couldn't be better news for the Arizona Cardinals.

Author:
Richie Bradshaw
Publish date:
Apr 24, 2023 12:27 PM EDT

In this story:

Arizona Cardinals

The Houston Texans are considering passing on a quarterback with the number two overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft - and no one should be happier about this than the Arizona Cardinals.

If the Texans pass on a quarterback, a player like Will Anderson Jr. or Tyree Wilson is the most likely selection for Houston. New head coach DeMeco Ryans is the former defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers and he conducted one of the best units in the league. One of the things that made his defense so successful was having a cornerstone edge rusher in defending Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa.

Naturally it makes all the sense in the world that he would want someone of that caliber to start his tenure with the Texans.

So how does this affect the Cardinals?

Well, we know the defensive side of the ball will also be a high priority for Arizona, and similarly to the Texans, the Cardinals have a former defensive coordinator in Jonathan Gannon as their head coach. It makes sense that he would also want a premier pass rusher to build around, but taking away Anderson or Wilson limits their choices with the third overall pick.

We've also been hearing for quite some time that the Cardinals are interested in trading down from pick three. First-year general manager Monti Ossenfort appears to be looking to net as much draft capital as possible for the chance to sprinkle talent throughout this roster.

If that is the plan, then this decision by the Texans helps the Cardinals tremendously.

The reason why it is good news for the Cardinals is that it guarantees that three of the top-four quarterbacks will be available for a team to trade up and get their guy. The Cardinals, who have no need for a quarterback in round one, would thus be more than happy to trade down and allow someone else to trade up.

When you consider that a team could move up for the second pick of the litter it only makes the third overall pick worth more.

The Carolina Panthers hold the number one pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and they are heavily rumored to be selecting Bryce Young with the pick. They could also fancy C.J. Stroud or Anthony Richardson, as well. But whoever they take means that two of those three remains available. Will Levis should also be an option with the third pick.

The Cardinals will be able to capitalize on this and auction off the pick to whichever team is willing to move up and get their guy. There are a ton of teams likely to make that trade up, too, including but not limited to:

Indianapolis Colts (fourth overall pick)
Detroit Lions (sixth overall pick)
Las Vegas Raiders (seventh overall pick)
Atlanta Falcons (eighth overall pick)
Tennessee Titans (11th overall pick)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19th overall pick)
Minnesota Vikings (23rd overall pick)

With so many suitors and so many quarterbacks available, the Cardinals would have no shortage of candidates to vet for the pick. This will create an all-out bidding war that would allow the Cardinals to generate a ridiculous market for the pick.

Depending on the team, the Cardinals would be able to not only acquire draft capital for the 2023 NFL Draft but also for the 2024 and 2025 NFL Drafts. Getting as much ammo with a new head coach and general manager is a must, and this scenario would be as good as it gets.

Come Thursday evening, the Cardinals should be rooting for the Texans to select a defender with the second overall pick. If that comes to fruition, expect the Cardinals to trade down with a quarterback-needy team and receive a king's ransom in return.