General manager Nick Caserio has done a superb job thus far.
The Houston Texans found a couple gems in the 2021 NFL draft with third-round receiver Nico Collins and sixth-round defensive tackle Roy Lopez. The 2022 class has the most promise with first-rounders cornerback Derek Stingley, guard Kenyon Green, second-round safety Jalen Pitre, third-round linebacker Christian Harris, and fourth-round running back Dameon Pierce.
If the Texans could land a quarterback of comparable potential, it would be the crown jewel for Caserio’s rebuild.
Second-year quarterback Davis Mills will get a fair shot in 2022 to show he can be the franchise quarterback of the Caserio era. However, the organization must guard against all outcomes, including those wherein Mills fails.
If Mills doesn’t appear to be the answer at quarterback, the Texans should look immediately to the 2023 NFL draft class; they can’t wait another draft, even though Houston will have another pair of first-rounders in 2024.
Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Alabama’s Bryce Young will be battling for the No. 1 spot on draft boards throughout the upcoming college football season. Will Levis of Kentucky, Cam Ward from Washington State, Miami’s Tyler Van Dyke, and Florida’s Anthony Richardson similarly will make their case as first-round quarterbacks. Throw in Devin Leary from North Carolina State and Jaren Hall from BYU, and there are also Day 2 prospects that could provide a spark for Houston’s passing game.
According to Luke Easterling from the Draft Wire, the 2023 draft class has plenty of quarterbacks that teams looking to address issues under center ought to consider making a move.
All of those quarterbacks have some level of wild-card potential, with tons of talent, but their own unique reasons to wonder whether or not they’ll be able to reach their lofty individual ceilings. Even so, it’s impossible to ignore that when they were at their best last season, they all looked like first-round material.
If your favorite NFL team needed a quarterback in the 2022 draft, but decided to punt on a fairly weak class and wait for this year’s group, it won’t be surprising if that turns out to be a wise move. Obviously, draft stock seems to change on a weekly basis (both in-season and out, and especially with quarterbacks), but there’s plenty to be excited about in this next crop of top passers.
Mills’ play will determine how invested the Texans are next draft cycle. If there are still doubts, the 2023 class has enough options to upgrade the position adequately during Caserio’s run.