Texans Are Not ‘Scared’ To Pass On A QB With The 2nd Overall Pick Of The Draft And Target This Defensive Player Instead

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In the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans are facing a tough decision with the second overall pick.

While many teams in need of a quarterback would jump at the opportunity to select one early in the draft, the Texans are reportedly considering passing on a quarterback in favor of a top defensive player.

According to Peter Schrager on Good Morning Football, the Texans are not “scared” to pass on a quarterback with the second overall pick and take a top defensive player instead. The Texans also have the 12th overall pick in the draft, which they could use to select a quarterback instead.

With Alabama’s Bryce Young expected to go first overall to the Carolina Panthers, the Texans will have their pick of any other prospect they want, including Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson, and finally Kentucky’s Will Levis, whom their divisional rival Indianapolis Colts presumably want to pick with their fourth overall pick.

The Texans are in desperate need of help at quarterback, but their new defensive-minded head coach, DeMeco Ryans, may prefer to get the best defensive player in the entire draft instead. Schrager notes that the Texans might actually take Texas Tech pass-rusher Tyree Wilson over Alabama’s pass-rusher Will Anderson at #2 overall.

While Anderson was previously considered the safer and better overall prospect, opinions are starting to shift towards Wilson, who may have a bigger upside.

Wilson has an impressive record, with 17 career sacks in 35 games, while Anderson has 34.5 career sacks in 41 games, including 17.5 in the 2021 season, where he finished fifth in the Heisman voting, losing to his teammate Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.

It remains to be seen what the Texans will do with their second overall pick, but passing on a quarterback to bolster their defense could pay dividends in the long run. The Texans have been rebuilding since their last playoff appearance in 2019 and are hoping to turn their fortunes around in the near future.