What should the Texans do at quarterback?
Despite shoddy quarterback play throughout last season, the Houston Texans aren’t far off from getting to a Super Bowl.
All Texans’ fans understand that Brock Osweiler is not the answer at quarterback. Despite signing a 4-year deal worth $72 million less than a year ago, general manager Rick Smith and company will still be looking for answers. Thankfully, the team does have some options moving forward.
Free Agency/Trade
With the large salary cap hit Osweiler will be incurring on the team this season, do not expect the Texans to be players in free agency or in the trade market. Although the names are out there – Jimmy Garoppolo, Tony Romo, Tyrod Taylor, A.J. McCarron – Houston may not have the assets to make any deals.
The issue with trying to trade for a player like Garoppolo is that not only will the Texans have to give up a high draft pick(s) in return, but they will also have to sign him relatively soon after.
If things are looking desperate as the offseason goes on, then Houston may attempt to move some money around, however do not expect a big name to come down to Texas next season.
There are names out there that can be had for cheap and can compete as camp bodies but no one that truly jumps out right now.
Perhaps one player Houston should look at is Mike Glennon. After serving as Jameis Winston’s backup for the past two seasons, Glennon will be looking to step out and try to carve out a career for himself.
At 6’6 and 230 pounds, Glennon may have a body type like Osweiler but he projects to be much more consistent, and his 2:1 touchdown to interception ratio is something Texans’ fans would not mind.
Draft
“We need better performance out of the position… we’ll probably look at a young QB as we go into draft,” said Texans owner Bob McNair just a few weeks ago.
If Rick Smith wants to solve his problem via the draft there are options at pick 25. The first round names being considered are DeShaun Watson, Mitch Trubisky, DeShone Kizer, and Pat Mahomes. Do not expect either Watson or Trubisky to be sitting there at 25 as there are multiple quarterback needy teams much earlier in the round. However, Houston could get a shot at landing either Kizer or Mahomes.
Both prospects are very raw and will likely need time to develop. Although this is not something Texans fans want to hear, they may have to ride out one more bridge season with either Osweiler or Tom Savage until their draft pick is ready to take over.
Mahomes has the higher upside with his physical tools as well as his play making abilities fit Houston’s offense very well. Coming from a traditional spread offense, Mahomes will need more time than Kizer, but the wait should be worth it.
Kizer is more pro-ready, and that is why he could get selected by another team seeking a long term answer such as the Arizona Cardinals.
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Just Grin and Bear It
The final option for Houston moving forward is to stand pat. That means they’ll be heading into training camp with Osweiler, Savage, and Brandon Weeden as potential starting options.
Unfortunately for Rick Smith we have seen what those players provide and an upgrade is necessary. The Texans must capitalize on the fact that this team will have a healthy J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Whitney Mercilus leading a top five defense going into next season.
With rising weapons like DeAndre Hopkins, Braxton Miller, Will Fuller, and C.J. Fiedorowicz, Houston can ill afford to not have the right man under center.
What do you think the Texans should do moving forward? Are there good options in free agency? The draft? Or should Bill O’Brien hope that another year in the system will be fruitful for his free agent bust? Let us know in the comments below.
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