Teddy Bridgewater or Jadeveon Clowney: Who should the Houston Texans draft?
Nov 2, 2013; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) stands on the sidelines during a timeout against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks defeated the Bulldogs 34-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
If the Houston Texans do end up with the No. 1 overall draft choice this May, who should the Texans select: Jadeveon Clowney or Teddy Bridgewater?
Should the Texans use their first-round draft choice on offense or defense? Quite frankly, they need some help on both sides of the ball.
The case for drafting Bridgewater is do the Texans believe current quarterback Case Keenum is not the answer at the position for the foreseeable future?
Nov 23, 2013; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) looks to pass against the Memphis Tigers during the second quarter at Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Bridgewater has passed for 3,523 yards in 2013, with 28 touchdowns and four interceptions. His completion percentage currently sits at 70.2 with one game left in his collegiate career, the Russell Athletic Bowl when Louisville faces Miami.
Keenum has three games left on the schedule to prove he’s the guy for the Texans.
The case for drafting Clowney is what potential the Texans could have on defense with J.J. Watt on one side of the defensive line and Clowney on the other. Another case for drafting Clowney is next season is the final year of Watt’s rookie contract, so if he decides to leave, they would have his replacement.
With one game left this season, Clowney has 35 total tackles (24 solo), three sacks and one forced fumble. For his career, he has 125 tackles and 24 sacks (three seasons).
Clowney’s last college game will be the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day when South Carolina faces Wisconsin. (Remember the hit that made Clowney a household name last year on Jan. 1? Everyone does.)
So, which would you rather have?
I know it is December, but May will be here before we realize it, and I believe the Texans really have to find the answer at quarterback, whether it be in the first round or later on in the 2014 Draft. They have a lot of pieces to the offensive puzzle, but the current QB roster for the Texans just doesn’t fit in the puzzle I’m imagining for this team next season.
A lot of the draft strategy will depend on who they select as their new head coach and his philosophies on the game, but that decision and who to select in the first round are critical decisions that could and will shape the franchise for many years to come.
Either one of the players mentioned could help bring the Texans back to the top of the AFC South ladder and out of the gutter of the NFL, where they currently reside with a record of 2-11.
It all depends if you want a game-changer in Bridgewater to be the centerpiece of not just the offense, but the franchise for the next 10 years or more (hopefully) or go a route of defense winning a title with a Watt and Clowney defensive end duo, then take a QB in the second round or later and see what happens.
Both are quite tempting, and as I study the quarterbacks more and the superstars in the draft, I might change my decision. If I had to make a draft choice today, on Dec. 10, 2013, my draft pick would be Teddy Bridgewater.
The play of the offense has been too sloppy and inconsistent for any team to win in the NFL, and an NFL-ready quarterback like Bridgewater could work wonders with the players the Texans have at the skilled positions.
A productive QB in the NFL is always No. 1 at the top of my list for success, and I believe Bridgewater fits that mold.
My mind could change later this month or in 2014, but Bridgewater is my choice for now.
Remember, though, the Texans will most likely have to draft No. 1 overall if they want to have their choice at either on of these players.