Here are the most likely scenarios for the Texans and where things currently stand heading into the draft, according to multiple NFL sources:
With Young unavailable to acquire, the Texans may indeed pass on a quarterback with their second overall pick.
The Texans have evaluated and considered Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud for months, including hosting him for a visit at NRG Stadium, interviewing him at the NFL scouting combine and scouting his campus Pro Day workout. Stroud excelled for the Buckeyes, but he isn’t the Texans’ first choice at quarterback as he ranked behind Young on their draft board and other NFL teams seeking a quarterback.
Multiple sources anticipate the Texans opting to go with a defensive end instead of Stroud with those opinions echoed throughout the past month and this week.
One league source notered Wednesday night that the Texans have conducted significant due diligence in recent days and weeks about Stroud and have debated the merits of potentially drafting him. They have also discussed, should they not pick Stroud, how they might obtain a quarterback in the draft or via a trade given the wide gamut of opinions on Stroud, a tall, strong-armed pocket passer who showed some ability to go off-script during an impressive performance against Georgia’s elite defense.
If the Texans were to draft Stroud, sourcesemphasized, it would be considered a major surprise at this point and a departure from the direction they’ve been headed in during the latter stages of the draft process. Not drafting Stroud is not expected to have anything to do with him being represented by David Mulugheta, former Texans Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson’s Austin-based agent. It would simply be a football decision based on Stroud’s ability to process on the fly, read defenses and run the Kyle Shanahan-Gary Kubiak offense being installed by offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
Where will Stroud wind up if the Texans don’t pick him? The Tennessee Titans are exploring a potential trade up to the Arizona Cardinals’ third overall selection with Stroud their target, according to league sources.
Contrary to speculation, including an unfounded Reddit rumor, the Texans are not expected to draft Kentucky quarterback Will Levis at No. 2 or No. 12, per sources. And the Texans didn’t conduct a visit or private workout with Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson and are not expected to draft him, per sources.
The Texans do have a high opinion of Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, per sources. Hooker visited them directly after the NFL scouring combine, and might not be available for their 33rd overall pick in the second round. Hooker is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament and is expected to be able to practice in some capacity by August and play at some point this season. The highest spot for Hooker might go in the first round, per sources, would be the Minnesota Vikings’ No. 23 overall pick.
Although the Texans have a strong comfort zone with Anderson, who visited them, the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions, from a football and character standpoint, there are legitimate questions about whether his ceiling is high enough to justify the pick.
The two-time consensus All-American and Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year is regarded as more of a pure fit as a stand-up 3-4 outside linebacker rather than a classic 4-3 defensive end who plays with his hand in the dirt.
Those factors are why the Texans have contemplated drafting Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson.
