ALL-IN
Why Houston Texans appear to be in driver's seat if they take the ultimate plunge
Feb 28, 2023, 3:44 pm
ALL-IN
Mel Kiper Jr. released his latest mock draft on Tuesday, which included an interesting scenario about how the Houston Texans could trade up to have the No. 1 overall pick.
Kiper tossed out the idea that Houston could put together a package similar to one used by the Chicago Bears in 2017 to take Mitchell Trubisky.
Chicago gave up its high first round pick, which was the No. 3 overall selection, the No. 67 pick, which was a third round selection, and pick No. 111, which was a fourth round selection. It also included its 2018 third rounder.
Houston currently holds picks No. 2, No. 12. No. 33 (second round), No. 65 (third round, No. 73 (third round), a fourth, a fifth and four sixth round picks in the 2023 draft. In 2024, the Texans have two first round picks, a second, a third, two fourths, a fifth and two seventh round picks.
So what could a package by the Texans look like if they opted to put together a similar offer? Sticking to Kiper’s script, in which the package follows a similar structure to the Bears’ one in 2017, Houston can offer the second overall pick, the No. 65 pick, its fourth round pick this season and its third round pick in 2024.
In this scenario, the Texans move up to No. 1 to take whoever they believe is their guy at quarterback, keep their No. 12 pick, their second, their second third round pick, a fifth and the plethora of sixth round picks. They also get to keep both of their firsts in 2024.
While this could seem like a small price to pay to get a franchise quarterback, the Texans are competing, most notably, with their AFC South rival foes, the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts have the No. 4 overall pick, pick No. 35, pick No. 79, pick No. 106, pick No. 140, pick No. 164, pick No. 223 and pick No. 238 for the 2023 draft. They also have their first, second, Washington’s third round pick and a fourth in terms of notable capital for 2024.
Looking at what the Colts can offer, the Texans do not need to give up their second, first-round pick. With only three picks in the top 80 for 2023, there is not much of a market the Colts can create to shake things up if the Texans are fully committed to moving up one spot and offer the package the Bears did in 2017.
Similar to the Colts, the Las Vegas Raiders only have three picks in the top 80 in 2023, which are picks No. 7, No. 38 and No. 70. The Panthers have pick No. 9, No. 39 and No. 61 in 2023.
Because the Texans have so much draft capital, if Houston really wants to move up one spot, there is not much a team can offer to trump the Texans even if they do not give up the No. 12 overall pick. Unless a team is willing to trade their first round selection in 2024. Then all bets are off.
Houston has five picks in the top 80 for 2023. They also have three guaranteed picks in the top 64 for 2024. With that much artillery, the only question the Texans need to answer is if any quarterback in this year’s draft is worth it.
Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer early and Jon Singleton had three hits, capped by a tiebreaking RBI single in Houston’s four-run eighth inning, and the Astros got a 6-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.
SAY HEY!!#Relentless pic.twitter.com/fqAiUHHdNh
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Brent Rooker homered off Ryan Pressly (2-3) with one out in the eighth to tie it at 2-all.
Yainer Diaz and Kyle Tucker hit consecutive singles with one out in the eighth to chase T.J. McFarland (2-3) and bring on Grant Holman. There were two outs in the inning when Singleton’s single to center field scored Diaz to put the Astros on top.
Jake Meyers followed with a run-scoring double before the Athletics intentionally walked Heyward to load the bases. Mauricio Dubón singled on a ground ball to left field to score two more, pushing the lead to 6-2.
Tyler Nevin hit a solo homer off Josh Hader with one out in the ninth before the closer retired the next two batters to end it.
Houston’s Framber Valdez allowed five hits and a run with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings to help the Astros avoid a three-game sweep and snap a three-game skid with the victory.
La Grasa had himself a day.#Relentless pic.twitter.com/LvGeKBAoqA
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Oakland starter Mitch Spence permitted seven hits and two runs in seven innings.
Singleton hit a ground-rule double with one out in the second before Heyward smacked a line drive into the second row in right field for his first home run as an Astro to make it 2-0.
It was the third hit in 12 games with Houston for Heyward, who signed with the Astros Aug. 29 after being released by the Dodgers.
Jacob Wilson doubled to open the seventh and moved to third on a ground out by Nevin. The Athletics cut the lead to 1 when Wilson scored on a single by Daz Cameron that chased Valdez.
Bryan Abreu took over and pinch-hitter Seth Brown grounded into a double play on his second pitch to preserve the lead.
Lawrence Butler doubled with one out in the third to extend his career-long hitting streak to 20 games.
Singleton doubled again to start Houston’s fourth before Spence sat down the next 11 Astros. Houston’s next base runner came on a double by Dubón with two outs in the seventh and Alex Bregman grounded out to leave him stranded.
Trainer’s Room
Athletics: 1B Tyler Soderstrom (left wrist injury) is scheduled to come off the injured list Friday for the start of a series against the White Sox.
Astros: 2B Jose Altuve was out of the lineup Thursday, a day after leaving in the fifth inning with discomfort in his right side. Manager Joe Espada said he was feeling better Thursday and that he is listed as day to day.
Up Next
Athletics: LHP Brady Basso (0-0, 1.93 ERA) will start for Oakland against LHP Garrett Crochet (6-11, 3.83) in the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox Friday night.
Astros: Houston LHP Yusei Kikuchi (8-9, 4.31) opposes LHP Samuel Aldegheri (1-1, 2.45) in the first of three games against the Los Angeles Angels Friday night.