The Houston Texans could sensationally not select a quarterback with the second overall pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft as another star player has caught the eye of the franchise.
Last month’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis saw a strong showing from the quarterback class with Alabama’s Bryce Young, Kentucky’s Will Levis, Florida’s Anthony Richardson and CJ Stroud of Ohio State all receiving rave reviews either from the workouts or interview process. The Carolina Panthers certainly saw enough to make a move, completing a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears to move up to the first overall pick.
However, the Texans are in prime position to select one of the top stars in Young or Stroud. Houston have been looking to address the quarterback position since Deshaun Watson sat out the 2021 season due to his off-field conduct before the franchise dealt him to the Cleveland Browns.
While Davis Mills was somewhat serviceable, he is certainly not the answer and new head coach DeMeco Ryans is looking to rebuild the Texans - so a franchise quarterback is the best place to start. However, it appears the Texans may instead decide to pick Alabama stud Will Anderson with the second overall pick later this month.
Despite the franchise’s dire need of a quarterback, the Texans perhaps believe Anderson is the most polished prospect available and may decide to select the outside linebacker, who tallied 10 sacks last season. Houston could then select a quarterback with their 12th overall selection, or use it to trade up.
Such an unexpected move would undoubtedly cause a ripple effect on the draft order. The Panthers are expected to select either Anderson’s teammate Young or Stroud, while the Arizona Cardinals - who pick third, after the Texans - are set at quarterback with Kyler Murray.
The Cards could then trade down with a quarterback-needy team or follow the Texans and pick whoever they believe to be the best prospect available. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts are desperate to select a quarterback and sit fourth overall, so they could stay put - or even trade with Arizona should the Texans pass on one of the top quarterback options.
If the Texans do select Anderson second overall, it would be a game-changer for their defence, which has struggled to fill the void left behind three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt when he joined the Cardinals ahead of the 2021 season. Anderson is believed by many to be the best player in this draft class, so Ryans - a former linebacker himself - could opt to build his franchise on the foundation of a fierce defence.
