The Houston Texans have their quarterback for 2022 in Davis Mills, but they may not be set long-term at the position.
Houston also has the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, and given general manager Nick Caserio is “open for business” with the Round 1 selection, the Texans may be presented with interesting possibilities.
According to Cody Benjamin from CBS Sports, one scenario that could involve the Texans is one wherein the Philadelphia Eagles covet the No. 3 overall pick and are willing to do anything to move into the top-3 of the draft.
In Benjamin’s scenario, the Texans get their quarterback for the future in Jalen Hurts along with Philadelphia’s Nos. 15 and 19 overall picks in Round 1.
All signs point to Philly giving the young Hurts another year to prove himself at quarterback, but if ever there were a time for [Howie] Roseman and Co. to take another big swing under center, it’d be this year, with a trio of top-20 picks to spare. In this scenario, the Eagles steal the entire night’s spotlight (and offset their tame free agency), jumping ahead of the Panthers, Falcons and Seahawks to secure either Kenny Pickett or Malik Willis, assuming the Lions pass on a QB. Hurts, meanwhile, goes back to his hometown Houston to compete with Davis Mills, valued as a late second-rounder. And the Eagles get a stronger arm while retaining one of their 2022 firsts, as well as all of their 2023 picks.
Hurts, a Channelview High School product, would be coming back to the Houston area. The former 2020 second-rounder from Oklahoma led the Eagles to an 8-7 record and a wild-card playoff berth. Although Hurts completed 265 passes on 432 attempts for 3,144 yards, 16 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and took 26 sacks, he was able to rush 139 times for 780 yards and 10 touchdowns. Pep Hamilton’s offense would have a dual threat quarterback to offset any troubles getting the run game going conventionally.
The Texans like what they have in Mills; therefore, a proactive acquisition of Hurts may not be likely. Nevertheless if the Texans remain willing to deal the No. 3 overall pick, they could find themselves listening to a bevy of offers that might include young quarterbacks.