Scenario:
Mills improves 2022 season to <> 15 th best QB. He has 2 years left on rookie contract. Team improves also but has pick 1 in 2023 draft as most analysts project.
Alabama QB Young has another spectacular year as true junior. He was 2021 Heisman on #2 team. Team controls contract for 5 years versus 2 for Mills extending cheap money for cap purposes.
Options:
1 keep Mills as he has 2 years with his team, knows offense and is well respected by teammates. He also has two seasons left on a rookie deal. In this scenario you would still have first pick in 2023 + Cleveland's round 1 and an extra round three from the Watson trade to build the team out. Also could trade out of 1.1 for haul of picks.
Risk, he might not ever get better and the team may never be high enough to get your franchise guy.
2 Keep Mills, sit Young for year or 2, hope for comp pick after 2024 or trade Mills after 2023.
Risk, Young may not become THE guy but team still has an NFL Mills.
3. Trade Mills to one of many needy teams such as Seattle or Pittsburgh. Draft Young who has been compared to Drew Brees.
It is possible to trade down from 1.1 and still select Bryce Young giving Texans even more ammunition to build for playoffs.