Houston Texans mock draft: Will they really pass on a QB at no. 2?

2023 NFL mock draft; Will Anderson Jr. #31 of the Alabama Crimson Tide stands on the field during the Allstate Sugar Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats at Caesars Superdome on December 31, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Alabama Crimson Tide won the game 45 - 20. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
2023 NFL mock draft; Will Anderson Jr. #31 of the Alabama Crimson Tide stands on the field during the Allstate Sugar Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats at Caesars Superdome on December 31, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Alabama Crimson Tide won the game 45 - 20. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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The Houston Texans need a quarterback, and they have the leverage to grab their franchise signal called whenever they want in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Houston Texans are gearing up for the 2023 NFL Draft, and they have some serious needs that they’re looking to address. With a draft capital that’s the envy of the league, the Texans are poised to make some serious moves, and fans are excited to see what they’ll do. Let’s take a closer look at what the Texans need and what they’re likely to do in the draft.

The Texans are rebuilding, but there are three key positions that they need to fill in the 2023 NFL Draft, starting with quarterback. While Davis Mills showed some promise in his rookie season, he’s far from a sure thing. And with Case Keenum and E.J. Perry as the only other options on the roster, it’s clear that the Texans need to add some serious talent at the quarterback position.

Will the Houston Texans really pass on a QB atop the 2023 NFL Draft?

DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans
Feb 2, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans head coach Demeco Ryans (center) holds a jersey while posing for a photo with owner Cal McNair (left) and general manager Nick Caserio (right) during the introductory press conference at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

The good news is, the Texans have the No. 2 overall pick, which means they’ll have a shot at one of the top prospects in the draft. C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young are the two most likely candidates, but who knows?

Wide receiver is another issue. Brandin Cooks was traded to the Cowboys. Nico Collins showed some promise in his rookie season, but he’s not yet a true No. 1 receiver. Robert Woods and Noah Brown were brought in to help, but it’s hard to see them making a massive impact.

Finally, we have edge rusher, an area where they’ve struggled in recent years, and it’s been a major weakness for the defense. Will Anderson is the most likely candidate for the Texans at the No. 2 overall pick. He’s a dominant pass rusher who would immediately improve the Texans’ defense.

Luckily, the Texans have an incredible 12 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, including two first-round picks (No. 2 and No. 12 overall). This gives them a ton of flexibility to address their needs and make some trades. Maybe for Lamar Jackson, I digressed.