'We’ll Trade With Anybody': Texans Won't Rule Out Trading Picks Within AFC South
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans entered the draft season as favorites to take a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick. But with the 2023 NFL Draft six days away, the Texans are not only on the verge of diverting from the plan. But general manager Nick Caserio said the Texans are "open for business" when it comes to the possibility of trading the pick.
The Texans can trade with several quarterback-needy teams who can make a deal for the pick. A pair of potential trade partners are within the AFC South in the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans. And Caserio will not rule out the possibility of trading within the Texans' division.
"We’ll trade with anybody," Caserio told Sports Radio 610 on Thursday. "Just philosophically, if it’s the best thing, if it matches up, and you feel comfortable making the trade, then we’ll go ahead and do it.
"You can’t eliminate anything, and I would say we’re pretty open-minded organizationally. I don’t want to speak for anybody else, but I’d say we’re definitely open-minded, we’ll always listen. We’re not going to eliminate anything."
The Texans could jeopardize missing out on drafting a potential franchise quarterback in C.J. Stroud. But by trading the No. 2 pick, Houston could also miss on the opportunity to select Alabama's Will Anderson Jr., who a source told TexansDaily that coach DeMeco Ryans is "leaning heavily" toward drafting.
Caserio does not view trading within the division as taboo due to the success he experienced dealing within the AFC East as the New England Patriots director of player personnel for two decades.
"We made some trades in our division even going back when I was in New England," Caserio said. "If you start to take that philosophy, again, it’s a little bit narrow-minded, so, again, ultimately, if it’s the best thing for your team, then you’ll deal with whatever comes along with it."
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