The Houston Texans have an opportunity to reshape their franchise’s trajectory early in the 2023 NFL Draft.
During Tuesday’s press conference, DeMeco Ryans said it’s “exciting” to have the second pick. However, the new head coach doesn’t want to overload that selection — likely a quarterback — with pressure to single-handedly save the team.
“I think it’s unfair to ask a guy, just because you’re pick No. 2 overall, you have to come in and you’re the face of our franchise and you’re the leader,” Ryans said (h/t Pro Football Talk). “That’s unfair to the guy, and I’m not going to put that type of weight on the shoulders of whoever it is that we pick.”
Ryans detailed what he wants from the rookie this year.
“We’re expecting him to come in, be a great teammate, work hard, be deliberate in what you’re doing, and have a mindset to get better each and every day,” he added. “That’s the mindset no matter if it’s pick [No.] 2 or the last pick of the draft … We have leaders in our locker room already. So, I’m not asking a guy to come in and be the savior for our team. I’m asking a guy to come in and put his head down and just work.”
Houston is expected to take either Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud at No. 2. Per NFL Network’s James Palmer, Young will visit the team this week after the Texans met with Stroud last week.
The Texans have 11 wins in the last three seasons and finished each of the last two years 30th in points scored. Expecting any first-year quarterback to spark an instant turnaround would be a tall order.