Playoffs or not, Texans need Hackenberg in first round

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) gestures to the Michigan State Spartans defense during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Brian Hoyer is clearly not the answer. He never was. He might even be done as a Houston Texan after entering concussion protocol for the second time within four weeks.

The Houston Texans front office will make the best decision possible, even though this organization will have to ask Rick Smith something he has never really done before in the first round: draft for need. Rick Smith has religiously drafted the best available player. This year he will have to take the best quarterback as he will not be able to wait till the second round. He cannot afford to wait to grab someone in the second round, it’s just not worth it this year.

I would like to see Rick Smith pull the trigger on Christian Hackenberg. Not because of the Bill O’Brien prior relationship factor but because the guy has all the tools to win. He has shown he can be coached. He can perform without any weapons and win games with the worst offensive line in college football. The decline in production since his sensational try freshman campaign is due to the system offense that a new offensive staff has put him in. Hackenberg has demonstrated he can excel in a pro style system in addition with his upside of being able to possibly contribute sooner rather than later seeing how he understands what Bill O’Brien is trying to do with the football.