Houston Texans Rumors: Team Could Be Targeting Familiar Quarterback In NFL Draft Round 2
The Houston Texans put the rumors to bed on Thursday, holding on to their top NFL draft pick and taking South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
Despite rampant speculation that the Texans could trade away the pick, the selection was a no-brainer. Clowney is an immediate impact player, and paired with J.J. Watt will create one of the most feared defensive lines in the league.
But the Houston Texans were in need of a quarterback going into the first round, and still are as they begin round two on Friday night. That has led many draft experts to predict that the Texans are looking at a signal caller for their second round pick.
Rumors have indicated that the team could be interested in Derek Carr, the Fresno State quarterback whose brother David was the first-ever pick for the Texans when they became a franchise in 2001.
Some draft prognosticators have other quarterbacks in mind. Nate Davis of the USA Today said he believes the Texans will select Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
“Derek Carr is the best quarterback still on the board, but it’s probably unfair for the Texans to put him in this position given what his brother endured physically and emotionally after being the first pick in franchise history 12 years ago,” Davis wrote. “Maybe the Carrs’ relationship with owner Bob McNair could be a plus, but the fan base surely hasn’t forgotten David Carr’s failed tenure. The Texans could pursue a promising NFL backup like Ryan Mallett or Kirk Cousins in a trade instead. But Garoppolo with his lightning release, nifty feet and prolific college production could be a nice piece of clay for new coach Bill O’Brien to mold.”
The Houston Texans could have taken any of the top quarterbacks in the draft, but opted to pass up Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles, and Teddy Bridgewater in favor of Clowney. That indicates that the team has its eye on one of the draft’s other quarterbacks or is looking to acquire one in trade.
