One proposed trade scenario involved the Texans potentially sending the second overall pick and the No. 12 selection to the Bears in exchange for the top overall pick.
Another proposal exchanged was the Texans possibly sending a 2024 first-round pick to the Bears for the pick, according to league sources. The conversations eventually stalled out over a disconnect over trade values as the Bears moved on, with a hefty blockbuster trade that netted the Carolina Panthers’ ninth pick, a 2024 first-round pick and wide receiver D.J. Moore.
All of that prologue leads the Texans to where they are now, exploring potential trade-back scenarios involving the No. 2 overall pick.
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young was coveted by the Texans, but is now regarded as a virtual lock to be drafted by the Panthers, according to multiple league sources.
The Texans are not currently expected to draft Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has also visited the AFC South franchise, according to sources, and Stroud could slide a bit within the top 10 picks of the first round. If the Texans stay at No. 2, they could wind up going for an edge rusher and have high opinions of Alabama star Will Anderson Jr., who’s regarded as one of the cleanest prospects in the draft in terms of skill, character and health, or Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson, an intriguing player who’s coming off a foot injury.
The idea of moving back to stockpile even more draft capital is an attractive scenario. Among the trade-up candidates: the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 7 overall.
Should the Texans move back, they would still likely have the option of adding a quarterback. The Texans haven’t committed to necessarily drafting one, though.
They have thoroughly scouted all of the top quarterbacks, including Young, Stroud, visiting with Kentucky quarterback Will Levis and Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker and had a Zoom meeting with no visit or workout with Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, according to sources.
They’ve done their homework on the quarterbacks, including University of Houston quarterback Clayton Tune who’s ranked as a middle-round draft target.