EVERY-THING SPORTS
An open letter to Nick Caserio from a Houston Texans supporter
Mar 1, 2023, 1:28 pm
The stakes are high for Texans GM Nick Caserio. Composite image by Brandon Strange.
Here's what the Houston Texans must avoid at all costs heading into next season
The Houston Texans are the owners of the number two overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. They “earned it” courtesy of winning the last game of the 2022 season. Had they lost, they would've owned the number one overall pick and control of the draft that goes along with it. Instead, the Bears are in the driver's seat with that pick. Unlike the Texans, the Bears have a young quarterback on a rookie deal they believe in (for now). The Texans are known to want to draft a quarterback with one of their top draft picks.
With all of that in mind, here's an open letter from me to Nick Caserio:
Dear Nick,
Given the fact that some will try to get cute and come up with creative ways for you to get a quarterback, this isn't a decision that requires much thought. You're smart and can deduce who are the top two guys available at the quarterback position, it makes the decision even easier. Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud are the top two guys, in case you weren't aware. You own the second pick, simple math will tell you one will be available even if the Bears make a trade with one of the QB-hungry teams drafting behind you. Couple things I feel you should know and/or do:
1) DO NOT trade up to number one overall! There's no need to give up the draft capital you have built up in order to get one of the top two QB prospects. I understand Bryce Young may be the number one guy, but C.J. Stroud is a very good number two prospect. Plus he fits the profile mold of QBs you've drafted in the past when it comes to ideal size. This team has lots of holes to fill. Giving up picks to find the guy when the next best option is right there makes no sense.
2) There's no need to draft a defensive stud at number two, then make a move to get a quarterback or draft whoever falls to you at twelve, or even later.
More about police securing arrest warrants for former Georgia star Jalen Carter stemming from the top NFL draft prospect’s alleged involvement in a fatal crash involving a teammate.https://t.co/w5ub9PZsY8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2023
Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter is perhaps the best prospect in the draft, but he was recently charged with some serious crimes related to the crash and deaths of a former teammate and staffer. Will Anderson and Tyree Wilson are two of the top edge prospects, but they both have flaws and aren't worth passing on a potential franchise QB. Julius Peppers was the last time this team should've drafted a DL over a QB prospect. (Save the Mario Williams over VY crap. That's another debate we're not doing here.)
3) Your job is on the line. You're on your third coach in three years. I know the McNair's are on your butt about producing a winner. The best way to do that is to take a QB at number two, then use the rest of those picks to surround him with talent he'll need to succeed. Make good use of the cap space available. Identify the positions you could use on both sides of the ball and sign them to good contracts. DeMeco Ryans was the right choice at head coach. If you keep pushing the right buttons, you'll be hailed as a conquering hero here (despite your terrible takes on BBQ).
Trust me on this Nick, I think you can get the job done. I believe you're fully capable of completing the mission of bringing this team into national prominence and away from the ditch of despair. Making this team a winner and playoff contender (possibly winning a title) should get you a statue or at least something. The only thing stopping you would be you overthinking this. Don't be dumb. Continue being a smart. You'll be fine. If not, you'll be on the first thing smoking out of town and people will dance on your old parking spot. You got this! Call me if you need some help. (Text me first so I know it's you. I don't answer unsaved numbers.)
Signed,
A concerned media member and team supporter.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Astros keep doing this, and it’s getting hard to ignore
Jun 25, 2025, 10:01 pm
While the rolling Astros have a week of possible World Series preview matchups against the Phillies and Cubs, it’s the Rockets who made the biggest local sports headline with their acquisition of Kevin Durant. What a move! Of course there is risk involved in trading for a guy soon to turn 37 years old and who carries an injury history, but balancing risk vs. reward is a part of the game. This is a fabulous move for the Rockets. It’s understood that there are dissenters to this view. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, including people with the wrong opinion! Let’s dig in.
The Rockets had a wonderful season in winning 52 games before their disappointing first-round playoff loss to the Warriors, but like everyone else in the Western Conference, they were nowhere close to Oklahoma City’s caliber. While they finished second in the West, the Rockets only finished four games ahead of the play-in. That letting the stew simmer with further growth among their young players would yield true championship contention was no given for 2025-26 or beyond.
Kevin Durant is one of the 10 greatest offensive players the NBA has ever seen. Among his current contemporaries only Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic make that list. For instance, Durant offensively has clearly been better than the late and legendary Kobe Bryant. To view it from a Houston perspective, Durant has been an indisputably greater offensive force than the amazing Hakeem Olajuwon. But this is not a nostalgia trip in which the Rockets are trading for a guy based on what he used to be. While Durant could hit the wall at any point, living in fear that it’s about to happen is no way to live because KD, approaching his 18th NBA season, is still an elite offensive player.
As to the durability concern, Durant played more games (62) this past season than did Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith, and Tari Eason. The season before he played more games (75) than did VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Alperen Sengun. In each of the last two seasons Durant averaged more minutes per game (36.9) than any Rocket. That was stupid and/or desperate of the Suns, the Rockets will be smarter. Not that the workload eroded Durant’s production or efficiency. Over the two seasons he averaged almost 27 points per game while shooting 52 percent from the floor, 42 percent from behind the three-point line, and 85 percent from the free throw line. Awesomeness. The Rockets made the leap to being a very good team despite a frankly crummy half-court offense. The Rockets ranked 21st among the 30 NBA teams in three-point percentage, and dead last in free throw percentage. Amen Thompson has an array of skills and looks poised to be a unique star. Alas, Thompson has no credible jump shot. VanVleet is not a creator, Smith has limited handle. Adding Durant directly addresses the Rockets’ most glaring weakness.
The price the Rockets paid was in the big picture, minimal, unless you think Jalen Green is going to become a bonafide star. Green is still just 23 years old and spectacular athletically, but nothing he has done over four pro seasons suggests he’s on the cusp of greatness. In no season has Green even shot the league average from the floor or from three. His defense has never been as good as it should be given his athleticism. Compared to some other two-guards who made the NBA move one year removed from high school, four seasons into his career Green is waaaaaay behind where Shae Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, and Devin Booker were four seasons in, and now well behind his draft classmate Cade Cunningham. Dillon Brooks was a solid pro in two seasons here and shot a career-best from three in 2024-2025, but he’s being replaced by Kevin Durant! In terms of the draft pick capital sent to Phoenix, five second round picks are essentially meaningless. The Rockets have multiple extra first round picks in the coming years. As for the sole first-rounder dealt away, whichever player the Rockets would have taken 10th Wednesday night would have been rather unlikely to crack the playing rotation.
VanVleet signs extension
Re-signing Fred VanVleet to a two-year, 50 million dollar guarantee is sensible. In a vacuum, VanVleet was substantially overpaid at the over 40 mil he made per season the last two. He’s a middle-of-the-pack starting point guard. But his professionalism and headiness brought major value to the Rockets’ kiddie corps while their payroll was otherwise very low. Ideally, Reed Sheppard makes a leap to look like an NBA lead guard in his second season, after a pretty much zippo of a rookie campaign. Sheppard is supposed to be a lights-out shooter. For the Rockets to max out, they need two sharpshooters on the court to balance Thompson’s presence.
For Astro-centric conversation, join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and me for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday. Click here to catch!
_____________________________________________
*Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!