In Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest NFL Mock Draft, the Texans get their quarterback without having to give up the No. 12 pick, which they use to get stronger on defense.
The Houston Texans have been public about their search for a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in April's NFL Draft.
The Texans aren't the only team looking for a signal-caller, however, as rumors of a trade with Chicago - who hold the No. 1 overall pick - run rampant on social media.
Between Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Will Levis, there should be no shortage of quarterbacks to go around in April.
In ESPN's latest mock draft by Mel Kiper, The Texans are the team that moves up one spot via a trade with the Bears.
My pals Todd McShay and Matt Miller projected the Colts to move up to No. 1 to get a quarterback, but here's another trade Chicago should consider. This involves Houston moving up just one spot to get its quarterback of the future. It's risky for the Texans to stay at No. 2 -- what if another team makes a deal with the Bears and selects the passer they want? That's why they might be willing to give up a lot to move up from No. 2 to No. 1.
1. Houston Texans (via mock trade with CHI)
With new coach DeMeco Ryans taking over the team that drafted him in 2006, it's clear this roster needs a ton of work. The Texans own pick Nos. 2 and 12 in Round 1, along with some cap space to bring in free agents. They're going to be able to add some early contributors.
And though Ryans is a defensive coach, he has to know the most important part of success in the NFL is getting a star quarterback. That's why he and general manager Nick Caserio have to get their passer of the future, and that's why this trade makes a lot of sense. Davis Mills isn't the guy, and this offense was among the league's worst in 2022.
In this scenario, the Texans get their quarterback without having to give up the No. 12 pick, which they use to get stronger on defense.
12. Houston Texans (via CLE)
I went quarterback for the Texans at No. 2, which is the best way for this organization to continue its rebuild. Let's try to improve one of the most important positions on defense with this pick from the Deshaun Watson trade. Houston's defense was a little bit better than its offense last season, but it still lacks playmakers in the front seven.
Wilson could help there, though there are mixed opinions on him throughout the league. He had 14 sacks over the past two seasons, and at 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, he has tremendous physical tools. That said, he's coming off a broken foot that ended his season, and his combine medicals will be important. As a traditional 4-3 defensive end, he still needs to keep developing his pass-rush repertoire.
Wilson is one of the top-rated defensive ends in the draft, after a successful college career in the Big 12 at Texas Tech.
In this mock, Kiper has the Texans improving on both sides of the ball and taking a huge leap forward with Young and Wilson.
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