While a confident educated guess can be made as to who the Carolina Panthers are going to select first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, the same cannot be said for the Houston Texans. Houston has kept their plans pretty much a secret, which is an impressive feat this late in the process.
Coming into the offseason, it seemed like a no-brainer that the Texans would be selecting a quarterback. Davis Mills got a chance to start in 2022 and struggled, leaving the door open for a top prospect to come in.
But, in recent days, the buzz around the franchise is that the Texans are looking to go in a different direction. Houston plans to pass on the quarterbacks, regardless of who the Panthers select first and are looking to add a pass rusher.
In his most recent mock draft, that is exactly what Todd McShay of ESPN has them doing. With the No. 2 overall pick, McShay is predicting the Texans to select Texas Tech defensive end rusher, Tyree Wilson.
“We’ve heard the buzz about Houston passing on the quarterbacks in this spot all week. This defense needs reinforcements — it allowed 5.7 yards per play last year (26th) — and Wilson is coming off his second straight seven-sack season. Why Wilson over Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr.? Look at the kind of player new coach DeMeco Ryans had success with during his time in San Francisco — guys like Nick Bosa. The Niners thrive with length and power off the edge, and that’s what Wilson would bring to Ryans’ new team in Houston.”
This would be a shocking selection on multiple fronts. Not only would they be passing on the opportunity to select a franchise quarterback, but Houston would also be passing on the player many have as the highest-rated edge rusher in this year’s draft class.
There are some evaluators who believe that Will Anderson Jr. is the best player in the entire draft class. Passing on him for Wilson, who possesses freakish athleticism and is ahead of Anderson in that regard, would be considered a shock to many.
But, selecting a pass rusher this year could be a bigger-picture selection. The Texans know this isn’t a one-year rebuild they are embarking on. They could very well be near the top of the draft again in 2024, where two elite quarterback prospects are projected to be available.
If the Texans are realistic about expectations, they know the harsh reality is they will be picking near the top next year. Knowing Caleb Williams and Drake May could be on the board, taking a premier pass-rushing prospect this year and waiting one more year for a quarterback makes sense.
It is certainly risky as Houston could outperform expectations and take themselves out of the running for a top quarterback prospect. But, if that were to occur, it would likely mean someone took the reins on offense and produced at a level high enough to warrant being the starter in 2024 at quarterback.
