With the NFL Draft set to kick off soon, a recent rumor by ESPN's Todd McShay has turned mock drafts on their heads just days away from the start of the first round. McShay has been hearing that Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud will not be the pick of the Houston Texans at No. 2. Is this where things go off the rails? Is this where this becomes the Tyree Wilson Draft?
Ever since the Carolina Panthers traded up for the No. 1 pick, it has been widely assumed that Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and Stroud would be the first and second picks, and there was debate on which order they would go in. Now it is believed that Young will go first overall to the Panthers, setting up a wild scenario if the Texans decide to pass on Stroud.
Rumor has it that the Texans would use their No. 2 overall pick on a top defensive prospect, either Texas Tech's Tyree Wilson or Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. — with a lean toward Wilson — and opt to address the quarterback position when they are up with the 12th pick. If so, that would send draft analysts and GMs into a tizzy, as the trickle-down effect would reshape at least the first 10 picks in the draft.
Is Tyree Wilson a Second Overall Pick?
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Anderson has been the consensus favorite, since just before the end of the college football season, to be the first defensive player off the board. However, recent rumors suggest that Wilson might be a consideration for the Texans at No. 2. He had the most quarterback pressures in the Big 12 last season with 50. NFL.com gives him a Prospect Grade of 6.77 and slates him in as a first-year starter. Anderson, however, grades at 7.02 and has projected Pro Bowl talent. But the question becomes: What happens to Stroud?
Stroud won't fall far if the Texans pass on him; he should get scooped up at No. 4 by the quarterback-needy Colts, already seemingly a destination for Florida's Anthony Richardson or Kentucky's Will Levis. The Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 would select whichever player the Texans didn't, either Anderson or Wilson, leaving Richardson or Levis available to the Raiders and possibly even the Titans — and leaving the Texans stuck without a quarterback.
Interesting thought here. If given the chance to thwart a division rival, would Tennessee allow the Texans to pick the remaining of the top 4 quarterback prospects with the 12th pick or take him themselves? The Tennessee Titans aren't in need of a quarterback per se. They still have Ryan Tannehill, although trade rumors suggest he may be available this offseason. There is also 2022 third-round pick Malik Willis, but his rookie season didn't pan out as hoped.
There is additional madness at play should the Texans pass on a quarterback at No. 2. Arizona's No. 3 pick could be for sale to the highest bidder. The Raiders, Texans or, yes, even the Titans could trade with the Cardinals to move up and nab Stroud. Expect Arizona's phones to blow up if such a scenario arises.
It's Anyone's Guess What Houston Will Do
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It's a risky bet for Houston should it pass on Stroud. Wilson and Anderson are both tremendous talents, but there is no guarantee that quarterbacks Stroud, Levis or Richardson will still be on the board by the time the Texans are on the clock again with the 12th pick. And Houston desperately needs a quarterback. Davis Mills ranked 44th last season, according to NFL.com, sandwiched right in between backups Cooper Rush and Joshua Dobbs. That's worse than his 2021 ranking of 31st.
It seems like a huge roll of the dice for the Houston Texans. If they succeed, they will be getting a solid defensive prospect in the draft and one of the top 4-ranked quarterback prospects. But they could just as easily wind up not getting a first-round quarterback and be stuck searching the later rounds or risk another season with Mills under center. Play it safe, Houston, and take Stroud and then beef up the D-line.
