The Houston Texans have two picks to make Thursday night in the NFL Draft’s opening round.
Most attention is on whether they will take a quarterback with the No. 2 overall selection. If not planning to choose a signal-caller, the franchise could conceivably trade down to accumulate even more draft capital.
However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Houston is instead exploring the possibility of trading out of the No. 12 slot. The Texans have reportedly inquired about moving down in the opening round and trading up from their early second (No. 33).
While Houston hasn’t received much trade action so far for the No. 2 pick, the Texans have explored the idea of moving off their second first-round pick, the No. 12 overall selection, per sources. Texans have made calls about moving back in round one – and also moving back up.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2023
According to Schefter, there’s not much traction on a trade for the No. 2 pick. Perhaps speculation (circulated by the ESPN insider) of the Texans not taking a quarterback has teams exuding more patience in hopes of a passing prospect falling.
An NFL executive told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (h/t Bleacher Report) that “no one knows what they are doing” with pick No. 2. However, some people around the league expect the Texans to “lean defense.”
The Texans need a long-term quarterback, and this year’s draft class features a few intriguing options. It thus seems likely Houston will leave Thursday night with a quarterback regardless of whether he’s picked at No. 2, 12, or another spot.