Houston Texans: Is Brett Hundley the Missing Piece?

Over the past five-plus seasons, the Houston Texans have settled for very good all-around rosters.

They have a defense that has been ranked among the top half since they drafted Brian Cushing in 2009, selected J.J. Watt in 2011 and added cornerback Johnathan Joseph via free agency.

Offensively, the Texans once boasted wide receiver Andre Johnson (released back in March), who was without a doubt the first star player in the franchise’s very young and short history (founded in 2002). There’s also Arian Foster, who has been a top running back in the league, and a great young wide receiver in DeAndre Hopkins.

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However, Houston, we have a problem.

The Texans have treaded water in the AFC with average quarterbacks throughout the years. In recent years, it was Matt Schaub, who was a backup behind Michael Vick in Atlanta. In fairness, Schaub had his moments with the franchise, although he wasn’t around due to injury when the team clinched its first playoff berth/division title in 2011 (remember T.J. Yates?). One year later, he got off to a great start as the team opened 11-1 under his guidance. But he slumped late in 2012 despite leading the club to a second straight AFC South championship. Those issues carried over into the following season and one year later, he was dealt to the Oakland Raiders.

This past season, there was Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was up and down in Houston, was injured late in the year and this offseason was dealt to the New York Jets. For now, it will be Ryan Mallett, a backup to Tom Brady and a disciple of Bill Belichick and Bill O’Brien in New England, and free-agent pickup Brian Hoyer and possibly Tom Savage vying for the starting job in 2015.

This is where Brett Hundley, the quarterback from UCLA, should be drafted. Hundley, who had scouts drooling before last year’s draft, chose to stay in school for one more year and develop his skills, which do need work.

Hundley has proven to be a great leader. He is mature beyond his years, and has no off-the-field woes. Quarterbacks transitioning from college into the pros have a much easier time succeeding if they act like they run the franchise, set an example, and stay out of parties they don’t need to be at. Maturity-wise, Jameis Winston might struggle, while Hundley and Marcus Mariota will strive.

In terms of mechanics, Hundley’s draft prolie via NFL.com seems to indicate that he isn’t quite polished.

One of the knocks on Hundley is that he cannot win games from inside the pocket. This being due to his tendency to hold the ball too long and his struggle to read defenses. But a head coach like Bill O’Brien can help the young quarterback find the right way to win in the NFL. Hundley’s maturity and willingness to learn and grow will help him tremendously through this process.

He also has a good arm along with great athleticism that will give him an edge. Throughout his tenure as a UCLA Bruin, he displayed great decision making and a throwing ability that will help the process of transitioning into the NFL.

He is no Andrew Luck. Nobody is really. Most quarterbacks in the NFL have growing pains, it takes time. Just ask Aaron Rodgers. Hundley will have a good bit of learning to do but appears to be level-headed and that will help in his pursuit to be an effective NFL quarterback.

Hundley is the type of raw talent that the Houston Texans have needed for years at quarterback. If the team is to quit treading water in the AFC, they will need a speedboat.

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