The top five picks of the NFL draft have always drawn intrigue. However, the Houston Texans currently reside inside the top five.
The Houston Texans sit in a great spot. Holding the third overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, their options are endless. If they stay at three and don’t trade down, they’re going to get a good player regardless. However, what would Nick Caserio and the Houston Texans gain by trading back in the draft?
Some teams are so quarterback-needy that their hand may be forced to pick one when it’s their turn. Despite the weak quarterback class, those teams that we’ll talk about are going to have to bite the bullet. Other teams on this list are hoping to improve their championship contention, missing some players in critical areas that have hampered their chances so far. These are just trade targets; compensation will not be covered.
So who would those teams be? Let’s get into the first Houston Texans’ trade-down partner:
The Houston Texans’ first trade partner: The Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons became the league’s first team to select a tight end inside of the top five with their choice of Kyle Pitts from the University of Florida. Since then, the Falcons have struggled to have any offensive production. Matt Ryan has been battered more than some of the fried chicken batter down in Georgia.
The Falcons need another offensive lineman and potentially another wide receiver. Calvin Ridley hasn’t played in forever, and the only other pass catcher that’s on the roster no one has heard of.
Terry Fontenot went bold with his first pick with Pitts. Fontenot is ever more daring here with a trade with the Houston Texans.
The second Houston Texans trade partner: The Arizona Cardinals
This may be a surprise addition, but anyone who has watched the Arizona Cardinals choke away the first seed in the NFC playoffs to what will most likely be only a wildcard appearance knows that the Cardinals need help badly. The offensive line for Arizona hasn’t been the greatest, and Rodney Hudson won’t play forever.
The Cardinals could use an offensive lineman or even another cornerback. Picking Zaven Collins last year made no sense after taking a linebacker the previous year (Isaiah Simmons of Clemson).
Whoever the Cardinals target, it could be the final first-round choice of Steve Keim, who hasn’t done well with first-round choices. Byron Murphy has struggled too, and it’s so bad that they had to sign Bashaud Breeland, who seemingly wants to fight everyone in the media.
Arizona may make the drastic jump up into the top five in order to keep its championship window open while Kyler Murray is still on his rookie deal. But, of course, the Houston Texans would take that trade and the compensation that would come with such a dramatic move.
The third Houston Texans trade partner: The Denver Broncos
The curious case of the Denver Broncos. A team that was reportedly a destination for Aaron Rodgers to bolt off to after the 2021 season while having some of the worst quarterbacks in the league in Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock. Somehow the Broncos are magically “in the hunt” for the playoffs despite their quarterback play.
Denver is one of the teams that implied earlier in the article that would most likely be forced to take a passer in a weak quarterback draft. No one knows if another quarterback-heavy run will happen again in this year’s draft like it did in 2021, where three consecutive quarterbacks went off the board in the first three picks.
On the other hand, the trading of Von Miller to the L.A. Rams means that only Bradley Chubb is their only notable pass rusher. However, this year’s draft is stronger on the defensive side (somewhere, Matt Rhule is smiling menacingly), so Denver could make the call with Houston to get their heir apparent due to Miller’s departure.
The threeth Houston Texans trade partner: The New Orleans Saints
Our final team for the Houston Texans to call is the New Orleans Saints. Taysom Hill signed one of the weirder extensions in NFL history, but does Sean Payton deep down feel like Hill is their quarterback of the future?
It may be too early to tell, but if there’s anyone who emphasizes good quarterback play, it’s Payton. New Orleans could trade up and get their future franchise quarterback depending on how well Hill plays out.
Ian Book was drowned in a sea of Dolphins defenders on Monday Night football, with many key players being out due to Covid. Book was sacked eight times in a 20-3 defeat that saw Miami win their seventh consecutive game after dropping seven in a row.
An offensive lineman is an option for the Saints, as Alvin Kamara currently has rushed for the least amount of yards in his career to this point, on top of only having two 100-yard performances this year.
These teams could drastically change by the time the 2022 NFL draft rolls around. So it may be wise to get more picks and a player or two in these trades to help Houston’s ascent out of the basement of the NFL.