How latest smoke around Anthony Richardson could impact Houston Texans draft strategy
QB CONUNDRUM
27 February 2023
NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah caught a lot of fans and media off guard recently when he shared some of the info he's been hearing around the league about Florida QB Anthony Richardson. According to Jeremiah, some teams have Richardson ranked as the second-best QB in the draft.
And with that in mind, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said he's hearing some teams see Richardson as a combination of Cam Newton and Justin Fields. Fowler can't remember a bigger variance with a prospect, as some teams have first round grades on Richardson, and others are giving him a fourth-round grade.
Many in the league believe Richardson could develop into a quality QB, especially if he's able to sit and learn for a year before being thrown into action.
Are the Texans in a place where they can wait a year for a QB to develop, or would drafting Richardson eventually cost GM Nick Caserio his job?
ESPN Houston's Jake Asman, Brad Kellner, and Cody Stoots discuss on The Wheelhouse.
LISTEN to The Wheelhouse on ESPN Houston 97.5 or 92.5 FM every weekday from 3-7 PM CST!
Christian Walker homered for a third-straight game and the Houston Astros went deep four times in a 9-8 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night.
Carlos Correa, Jesús Sánchez and Victor Caratini homered in a five-run first inning against Orioles starter Dean Kremer. Walker added a go-ahead two-run shot in the seventh inning, his 19th of the season, off Dietrich Enns (1-2).
The Astros banged out 11 hits and moved within a victory of their first four-game sweep since Aug. 29-Sept. 1 2024. Houston has scored 26 runs in the series after entering on a four-game skid in which they were outscored 30-2.
AJ Blubaugh (2-1) allowed two runs in four innings of relief for Houston, which began the night two games in front of Seattle atop the AL West. Bryan King allowed one run in the eighth, and Bryan Abreu worked a perfect ninth for his third save.
Colton Cowser homered and had three RBIs for Baltimore, which rallied to tie after trailing 5-0 and 7-5 but never led. Jeremiah Jackson added his first MLB homer in the fourth.
Key moment
After a nervy eighth, Abreu needed only nine pitches to shut the door, striking out Ryan Mount Castle and coaxing grounders from Cowser and Samuel Basallo.
Key stat
Walker is the second Astros player to homer in three consecutive games this season. Isaac Paredes did it April 11-13.
Up next
The Astros will go for the series sweep by sending RHP Spencer Arrighetti (1-4, 6.94 ERA) against Orioles lefty Trevor Rogers (6-2, 1.41) on Sunday.
