The long awaited NFL Draft gets underway this week, and not a moment too soon after months of speculation. It is almost like the much anticipated 7th episode of the “Star Wars” film series, where there is endless chatter about what is going to happen and we can only hope it will live up to the hype.
What player will the Houston Texans pick at #1 or will they trade that coveted pick to acquire even more draft choices to stockpile team depth? Texans GM Rick Smith told the media in a press conference in the week prior to the draft that “we are obviously open to moving out of the first pick.” That is about as unequivocal as an NFL GM will ever be before the NFL draft, as they rival World Series of Poker players in not tipping their hand.
The #1 player on the board appears to be South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney, and if the Texans keep the pick, then he is their probable draft choice. Pairing Jadeveon Clowney with JJ Watt in Romeo Crennel’s defense is tantalizing to think about, and could set up the Texans’ pass rush for years to come in a division where a strong defense is needed to counter the ability of the Colts’ Andrew Luck.
However, both Rick Smith and Texans owner Bob McNair have stated the Texans are more than willing to listen to trade offers, so does this mean a much rumored team like the Falcons at #6 or the Bills at #9 will give the Texans what they want in a trade to move up to #1 to select Clowney? Or is there another team lurking that will come in with a sweetheart deal at the last minute to claim that #1 spot?
As with every NFL draft, there are dizzying possibilities if a team is open to trading their pick. Whatever happens, the Texans almost assuredly will draft a QB, but will it be with a first round pick, a second round pick or much later in the draft?
No player has been more polarizing in recent draft history than Texas A&M’s QB Johnny Manziel, who has been rumored anywhere from the top of the first round to the third round. Much like the Dallas Cowboys up I-45, he is either beloved or hated with little in-between. The Texans would be remiss not to give serious consideration to picking Johnny Manziel, because he set records right in their own backyard and he has the intangible “it” factor that would propel interest in the Texans to record heights if he is able to be a successful QB on the NFL level.
Texans head coach Bill O’Brien is supposed to prefer the prototypical NFL pocket passer and Johnny Manziel does not fit this stereotype, but you can’t rule out a coach wanting to prove all the doubters wrong by selecting an athletic QB he can mold into his system.
Or maybe O’Brien is enamored with someone else in the draft he really wants to be the Texans QB for years to come, whether it is Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater, Jimmy Garappolo, Derek Carr, Zach Mettenberger, AJ McCarron, etc. All of them have their pros and cons, and depending on what NFL pundit you listen to, you could have the makings of an All Pro QB or the biggest bust this side of JaMarcus Russell.
The Texans have a variety of options because of their 11 draft picks in rounds one through seven, so it gives them maneuverability not only in their search for a QB, but also in replenishing the depth on a 2-14 team.
Needless to say, we have all been guessing on what the Texans will do to the point of madness, so it is a relief for the NFL draft to finally arrive so we can get back to doing what we do best – be Monday-morning quarterbacks or in this case “Monday-morning GMs” when the selections are all done.
