Texans Trickery: Is Houston Bluffing About QB at No. 2 in NFL Draft?
The Houston Texans are taking a quarterback with their first pick in the NFL Draft, right?
Throughout the last season's mocks, with the Houston Texans typically projected to have the top pick in the NFL Draft, the franchise added a quarterback with their first selection.
Since the Texans secured the No. 2 pick, we've seen the same position drafted, just one spot later.
More important than that: We know that in the job interviews for the new head coach, winner DeMeco Ryans and other candidates were essentially told that the QB - whichever one - would be the pick at No. 2.
But what if Houston doesn't take a quarterback with its first pick? Because that's exactly what NFL.com sees happening in its latest mock draft projections.
Instead, in this version, we get Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson headed to the Texans at pick No. 2.
"If the Texans miss out on (Alabama quarterback Bryce) Young, they might not be a lock to take (Ohio State's CJ) Stroud," NFL.com says. "With needs along the defensive front and two 2023 first-round picks, the choice could be between Wilson and (Alabama edge) Will Anderson Jr."
If Houston is really "Bryce Young or bust'' with the No. 2 pick, then taking the draft's top defender according to most is not a bad consolation prize if the team isn't high on Stroud.
But there would be some concern surrounding the future of the team if they didn't come away with a quarterback here.
NFL.com answers those concerns by projecting a trade that thrusts the Texans back into the top 10 to take Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis at No. 7.
"With 12 picks in this year's draft and additional capital in 2024, Houston spends some to move up for the strong-armed but erratic QB from Kentucky," says NFL.com.
Like Houston itself, Levis has seen his regular-season draft outlook shift somewhat significantly since the start of the offseason.
At one point, Levis was a popular projection to be the first quarterback off the board to the Texans.
Here he may not be first - or Houston's first - but the quarterback and team meet each other, anyway, in a mock that would be fascinating and maybe controversial if it all comes true.
Find David on Twitter @DHarrison82
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