Texans could get Young or Stroud with 2nd pick in NFL draft

The Houston Texans have the No. 2 pick and a glaring need at quarterback entering the 2023 NFL Draft.

But despite the struggles of Davis Mills over the past two seasons, general manager Nick Caserio refused to acknowledge the team will use its top choice to upgrade the position.

In fact, he said there’s a chance the Texans won’t choose a quarterback with any of their 12 picks in this draft.

“Anything is possible,” he said. “I think what’s possible and what the hope is, is that we can come out of this draft with good football players we think can help our football team. That’s what we’re focused on doing.”

Caserio added that Houston might choose to trade away the No. 2 pick.

“We have received a few calls, and I think our responsibility is to listen, try to take the information in, and then just make the right decision,” he said.

If the Texans keep the pick and decide to go with a quarterback, there are two elite players available in Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud. The Panthers, who also need a QB, traded with the Bears to get the No. 1 pick and plan to take a QB — likely Young or Stroud.

Both quarterbacks visited Houston in recent weeks as the team prepared for the draft.

“We want to have a good football team,” Caserio said. “I think building a team is the most important thing. How that all comes together, there is always multiple moving parts, so we’ll do whatever we think is best for our team and try to make good decisions.”

This has been a busy offseason for the Texans, who hired former player DeMeco Ryans as their coach. He is Houston’s third coach in as many seasons after David Culley and Lovie Smith each lasted just one year.

The 38-year-old Ryans, who spent the past two seasons as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator, has enjoyed working on draft preparations with Caserio and the rest of the staff.

“Everybody’s input has been valuable to me to make sure that we’re having a thorough process in everything that we’re doing,” Ryans said. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun work when you’re doing it with really good people.”

The draft is a three-day extravaganza in Kansas City, Missouri, starting Thursday night.

The first round begins at 8 p.m. Eastern. The second and third rounds are on Friday starting at 7 p.m. The fourth through seventh rounds are on Saturday starting at 12 p.m.

The draft can be viewed on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

The Carolina Panthers have the No. 1 pick in the draft after making a trade with the Chicago Bears.

After that, the Houston Texans select at No. 2, while the Arizona Cardinals are No. 3. The Indianapolis Colts (No. 4) and Seattle Seahawks (No. 5) round out the top 5.

The Panthers are expected to take a quarterback with the top selection. The candidates include Young, Stroud, Levis and Richardson.

The Texans received the second pick after finishing 3-13-1 for a third straight losing season after winning the AFC South the previous two years. They also have the 12th overall pick that they received as part of the trade that sent quarterback Deshaun Watson to Cleveland last year. Houston has two picks in the third round, too after receiving the 73rd selection in the Watson deal.

Full list of Houston Texans draft picks

1st (2nd Overall)1st (12th Overall – From Cleveland)2nd (33rd Overall)3rd (65th Overall)3rd (73rd Overall – From Cleveland)4th5th6th6th (From New Orleans)6th (From New York Giants)6th (From Minnesota)

READ: Why are there only 31 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft

Along with a quarterback, Houston could use a receiver even if John Metchie, who missed his entire rookie season after a cancer diagnosis, can make his NFL debut this year. On defense, the most pressing need is at linebacker. The Texans ranked last in the NFL in rushing defense.

One of the few positions where the Texans are set is left tackle where they have Laremy Tunsil. The three-time Pro Bowler signed a three-year, $75 million extension this offseason that will keep him in Houston through the 2026 season.

This is the second consecutive year in which the Texans have had two selections in the top 15 because of the Watson trade. Last year, Houston got cornerback Derek Stingley with the third pick and added offensive lineman Kenyon Green at No. 15.

The Texans have never picked at No. 2, and it’s the highest draft pick they’ve had since selecting defensive end Jadeveon Clowney first overall in 2014.

The Watson trade netted the Texans five total draft picks that they hope can help turn the team around. Beyond the three combined from last year and this year, the Texans will also get Cleveland’s first-round and fourth-round picks next season.