The suspense surrounding what the Texans will do with the first overall pick has been building since December 29, when now-exiled quarterback Matt Schaub’s errant pass landed in the hands of Tennessee Titans safety Michael Griffin, clinching a 16-10 loss that landed Houston the draft’s hot spot.
And finally, the suspense will be over on Thursday. In some ways, layers of intrigue remain, as the identity of the top target for the Texans remains a mystery.
However, one secret is already out of the bag. Everyone knows the Texans will be drafting a quarterback at some point (and possibly two). With most speculation centering on South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney landing in Houston with the first pick, what the Texans will do with their selection in the second round has become the subject of mass speculation. Although anything can happen when the draft begins, it sure appears as though the Texans will most likely land a quarterback there, or trade back into the first round to get one.
It’s not a bad strategy. In fact, numerous NFL executives may be thinking the same thing. This is designed as a guide for Houston fans to pinpoint other teams with a need at the position. Their decisions will have a direct impact on the future of the Texans. Some of those teams listed may surprise you, but the draft is all about surprises. And since it appears feasible the Texans could be targeting the position all the way to the end of the draft, our focus is not just who needs a new starter. There are plenty of squads simply seeking depth.
Jacksonville Jaguars
We might as well begin with one of Houston’s primary rivals in the AFC South. With the Jaguars mirroring the operational tendencies of the Seattle Seahawks, an organization that unearthed gold in Russell Wilson in the third round of the 2012 draft, Jacksonville will probably not use the third overall selection to select the likes of Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles. Quite a few mock drafts have Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack headed to Jacksonville, which makes sense as they need an impact player on defense. 
It also makes sense because they brought back veteran Chad Henne to hold down the fort until a rookie is ready. Head coach Gus Bradley coached the South squad in the Senior Bowl and got to work with Fresno State’s Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo of Eastern Illinois, and David Fales of San Jose State. While Jacksonville might have to move back into the first round to get Carr and Fales is going to go later, Garoppolo could be a target if the Jags stand pat.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Glennon was acceptable as a rookie last season. He threw 19 touchdowns versus nine interceptions and nearly led the Buccaneers to an upset win over the World Champion Seahawks at hostile CenturyLink Field, which is a tough feat even for veteran quarterbacks. Just ask Drew Brees.
Nonetheless, the regime that brought Glennon to Tampa is gone. New Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith, who has a significant say in personnel matters, seems to be high on veteran free agent signee Josh McCown, who shined as Jay Cutler’s replacement in Chicago last year. McCown, who once played at Sam Houston State, will be 35 when training camp starts and is not a long-term solution. If Glennon is truly on the outs in Tampa, and a fair amount of chatter seems to point in that direction, the Buccaneers could opt for a quarterback with the seventh overall pick. Additionally, Tampa has the sixth pick in the second round. The Buccaneers seems to be open to any style of quarterback, as they have been linked to Manziel and Carr. Closer to home, Central Florida’s Blake Bortles is another possibility.
Cleveland Browns
Needing depth and potentially a new starter, the Browns recently went on a scavenger hunt, signing quintessential journeyman Tyler Thigpen and former Madison and University of Texas star Vince Young. Young and Thigpen join Brian Hoyer, who started three games for Cleveland last year and played well before suffering a season-ending injury at the hands of the Buffalo Bills.
With Hoyer having more upside than most bridge quarterbacks, Cleveland does not have to pick a quarterback out of panic, as the Browns have two selections in round one (at 4 and 26) as well as the third pick in round two. Whoever heads to the North Coast will get the benefit of throwing to superstar receiver Josh Gordon. If the Browns are looking to make the biggest splash to energize a dedicated but depressed fanbase, they will probably look to Manziel. Cleveland will probably give free falling Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville some thought if the price is right. Georgia’s Aaron Murray was one of several quarterbacks who visited Cleveland as part of the scouting process.
Minnesota Vikings
Three years ago, Minnesota took Florida State’s Christian Ponder in the first round. Since then, the only thing positive Ponder has done in the eyes of many was marry an attractive ESPN reporter. He remains on the roster for now, but the Vikings are essentially right back where they started from.
Former Kansas City starter Matt Cassel is in position as a caretaker for the next year or two while Minnesota mines for someone who can throw deep early and often in new offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s vertical scheme. LSU’s Zach Mettenberger is certainly a possibility, as is Pittsburgh’s Tom Savage. They possess the arm strength Turner needs to make his offense work.
Oakland Raiders
The Raiders are the type of organization that would throw a huge party for their entire office staff and then order two tiny bowls of salad but 75 bottles of salad dressing. After all, the Texans somehow conned them into surrendering compensation for Schaub when all Oakland had to do was wait for Houston to grant Schaub his outright release. With Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen rapidly approaching their end games with a brutal schedule and a roster possessing plenty of holes, the Raiders foolishly seem to have placed all their eggs in Schaub’s basket.
But anything is truly possible with the Raiders. McKenzie drafted Tyler Wilson in the fourth round last year. In classic Raiders style, Wilson was eventually released. McKenzie may want to make amends for that, as well as his ill-fated trade for Matt Flynn. A young quarterback with promise might extend his stay in the East Bay. Even though we find it hard to believe McKenzie will find one, he will probably try.
Tennessee Titans
It’s not particularly insane that the Titans and new head coach Ken Whisenhunt are giving Jake Locker one more chance. Locker has flashed at times, but has been inconsistent and brittle. On the other hand, it is insane that Charlie Whitehurst is currently Locker’s backup. While Whitehurst “knows the system” from his time with Whisenhunt in San Diego, it would be disastrous if Whitehurst was actually in the lineup. They have got to find someone capable of starting on opening day in 2015.
One extended mock draft at walterfootball.com had the Titans snagging Alabama’s A.J. McCarron in the fourth round. There are certainly doubts about McCarron, but there’s no doubt Tennessee needs to think about a post-Locker future.
Arizona Cardinals
Although he had some rocky moments, veteran Carson Palmer stabilized what had been a troubled position for Arizona since the retirement of Kurt Warner, leading the Cardinals to a 10-6 record. Nevertheless, Palmer is 34 and current backup Drew Stanton is not viewed as a successor.
Arizona head coach Bruce Arians has done great work with young quarterbacks in the past, such as Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck. With the Cardinals expected to contend for a playoff spot in the harsh world of the NFC West, it would be a surprise if they used their pick at 20 on a quarterback. It would be less of a surprise if they chose a strong-armed gunner like Savage or Mettenberger later on.
St. Louis Rams
On paper, St. Louis seems to have a pretty settled quarterback situation. There’s Sam Bradford atop the depth chart, a player the Rams have shown no shortage of compensation and patience, especially considering how often Bradford has been injured. And the Rams upgraded their bullpen by signing Shaun Hill, who performed well in Detroit in relief of Matthew Stafford. Still, Bradford will be a free agent in 2016 and the Rams might elect to cut their losses at that point if the story remains the same with Sam over the next couple of years.
Although St. Louis worked out Manziel, the common belief is that St. Louis will address other needs in the first round (they have two picks) and will fish for a developmental signal caller at a later point.
Dallas Cowboys
There has been some speculation out there the Cowboys have interest in Manziel. Bringing Johnny Football to Big D would create a major splash.
On the other hand, Dallas has big bucks and plenty of whammies tied up in Tony Romo and it would be more logical for America’s Team to end up with a player who can learn the ropes behind Romo. Current backup Kyle Orton, who is one of the better number two quarterbacks out there, has been contemplating retirement and the Cowboys also have lowlights such as Caleb Hanie and Brandon Weeden on the roster. Almost any rookie has the potential to be better than that duo.
New England Patriots
Yes, it is strange to think about the Patriots being in the market for a quarterback. But with Tom Brady turning 37 in August and backup Ryan Mallett set to hit free agency after the 2014 season, New England has to think about the future.
Since so many quarterbacks are expected to slide during the draft, would it be shocking if New England grabbed one with the 29th overall pick? It probably would be, as Brady has not showed signs of huge decline. No one should be shocked if one comes along afterward, though.
Cincinnati Bengals
Former Katy star Andy Dalton has taken the Bengals to the playoffs the past three seasons. That is a marvelous accomplishment considered the often sad history of the franchise. However, there is a belief that Cincinnati has reached a plateau with Dalton and may need a fresh approach to get over the top. Dalton is also a free agent after this year and Cincinnati could look to make Dalton prove his worth before rewarding him with riches. A draft pick would give the Bengals options if Dalton falters.
Chicago Bears
Jay Cutler has not played in all 16 games since 2009, his first season with the Bears. Jordan Palmer is currently second on the depth chart. Even though Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall can cover up a lot of flaws, Chicago fans are not comforted by the thought of Palmer under center. It is far from a lock that Chicago addresses their need behind Cutler, but they should.
Baltimore Ravens
Current backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor looks to be on his way out of Baltimore, and with former Texans head coach Gary Kubiak now employed as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator, the Baltimore Sun recently speculated the Ravens could be keeping an eye on the availability of T.J. Yates and Case Keenum as potential backups to Joe Flacco. If they are looking into Yates and Keenum, they are probably looking intently at this year’s rookie class as well.
San Francisco 49ers
Colin Kaepernick is entrenched as San Francisco’s starter, but do the 49ers really want to head into the offseason with mega-bust Blaine Gabbert as Colin’s caddy? It would be risky for a team with Super Bowl aspirations to bank on a rookie behind Kaepernick, but probably even riskier to rely on the skittish Gabbert.
Philadelphia Eagles
Nick Foles had a great 2013 campaign and is locked in as Philadelphia’s starter. Still, Foles nor Mark Sanchez or Matt Barkley (who was downright awful in limited playing time) are schematic fits for head coach Chip Kelly’s read-option offense. Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas, a player who possesses all the tools but who needs a lot of guidance and seasoning, would make some sense, as would Clemson’s Tajh Boyd, who rushed for 20 touchdowns the past two seasons.
