I’d file this in the category as “right on brand”, I’m told the Texans have called some teams to trade up into the first round. Bill O’Brien never scared to make a trade. #Texans
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) April 23, 2020
Trader Bill could be at it again.
According to a report from Dianna Russini of ESPN, the Houston Texans are making calls to execute a trade that would get them back into the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
As it stands, the Texans’ earliest pick is 40th overall in the second round. The Texans would need to add a little more draft capital, or even a player on their roster, to get up to 32nd overall, the last pick of the first round.
There are business reasons why even a late first round pick would make sense. The biggest reason is a first-round pick’s contract has a fifth year option where players only count against the salary cap and can be cut without any dead money effects. The fifth year option also buys time to negotiate a contract extension.
If the Texans return to the first round of the draft, here are seven players Houston should target.