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Why the most exciting thing about the Houston Texans draft may surprise you

Why the most exciting thing about the Houston Texans draft may surprise you
The Texans could go a number of different ways at No. 12 overall. Composite image by Jack Brame.

The scouting combine is done. Pro days are upon us. Soon, in person visits will be taking place. Free agency has seen a flurry of signings. The NFL offseason is in full swing right now, with about a month before the draft is to take place. Teams are flipping cap space like pancakes. Vets are being cut now or have post-June 1 designations to be cut. Franchise tags have been placed with some guys getting new deals, but others left waiting.

The Texans have taken another conservative approach to free agency this offseason; much to the chagrin of some fans in the fan base. With the draft ahead and the team owning the number two and 12 overall picks in the first round, speculation is running rampant. For the most part, number two is considered to be the top quarterback left on the board after the Panthers pick first overall. They're a quarterback-starved team who made a splash deal to get the top pick.

Who Carolina takes first isn't of much consequence to me. The Texans need a franchise quarterback to build around. C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young are widely considered the top two at that position. Drafting the one the Panthers don't still leaves the Texans in a good spot. At number 12 overall is where things get really interesting. More intriguing than number two in my opinion.

The main reason I say 12 is more interesting than two is stated above. I wholeheartedly believe quarterback at two is where they're going. The team hasn't traded for or signed a guy who could be deemed a future franchise guy or even a bridge at quarterback. Case Keenum fans and Davis Mills truthers can all have several seats. Neither of those guys can sniff being a franchise guy, and neither are bridge quality quarterbacks. They're both backups. Drafting Stroud or Young gives this team what they desperately need most to get on the road to competing for the division and playoffs. It's the most important position, the most glaring need, and therefore the least exciting pick. Everyone knows what they're most likely going to draft.

Another reason I feel 12 is more exciting than two are the other needs of the roster. Despite the excitement around some of the young talent on this roster, there are still some holes to fill. The trade of Brandin Cooks leaves a bigger void at receiver. Pass rush has been abysmal. There's a need for playmakers on both sides of the ball. Imagine what Derek Stingley Jr would look like if he had another top flight corner on the opposite side? What if he had a beast of a pass rusher getting after quarterbacks? How much easier would life be for the rookie quarterback if he has a big time receiver, and fellow rookie, to throw to? Imagine those guys growing together? What if DeMeco Ryans identifies a guy he can mold into a centerpiece for his defense? What if they see a guy like Bijan Robinson as the centerpiece for this offense? 12 is a sweet spot to get a guy that'll contribute from day one, especially if one falls from a projected top five slot.

The final reason I feel 12 is more exciting than two is the trade option. Whether it's trading up for a guy they feel is a must-have, or trading back to acquire more picks, trading that pick is a million times more likely than trading two. Let's say Jalen Carter or Tyree Wilson falls to the Falcons at eight, and the Texans want to get to one of them before the Bears do at nine. Or how about a team in the 15-22 range sees a guy they're willing to pony up the price to move up to 12 to draft? Do you turn down a golden goose package for that pick? I think the Texans would entertain the offer at minimum. I also think they'd use some draft capital to move up and get a game changer if the price is right. Another interesting thought I had about 12: what if there's a player that wants a new contract/fed up with his current team and this regime feels he's worth that pick, or being a piece in a trade back scenario?

There are so many options and scenarios at 12 that are way more exciting than what'll happen at two. I'm truly looking forward to that pick and what surrounds it more than two. It's as if you know what you're getting for your pre-Christmas December birthday, but are more looking forward to your Christmas gift. My fellow December babies will get this. I'm so excited about this pick, it made me think of one of the funniest scenes from Step Brothers. “With the twelfth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans…”

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The Astros beat the Phillies, 2-1. Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images.

Cam Smith hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.

The rookie's second hit of the game came off Orion Kerkering (5-3) and gave the Astros their fourth straight win.

Brandon Marsh tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning to end the Phillies' 26-inning scoreless streak.

The Astros took a 1-0 lead on Yainer Diaz’s RBI single in the second inning. They only managed three more hits off Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez, who struck out 11 with zero walks over six innings. Sanchez has not issued a walk in three straight starts.

Hunter Brown lowered his league best ERA to 1.74 by scattering three singles over seven shutout innings, with nine strikeouts. He did not allow a runner to reach second base.

Bryan Abreu (3-3) struck out Trea Turner to end the eighth, and then struck out Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos in the ninth.

Abreu joined Julia Morales after the game and talked about his impressive performance!

Rafael Marchán had two of the Phillies' four hits. Bryson Stott reached base twice and scored the Phillies' lone run.

Key moment

Smith’s RBI.

Key stat

Brown’s 1.74 ERA is the fourth best in Astros history through 16 starts and the best since Justin Verlander posted a 1.60 ERA through 16 starts in 2018.

Up next

The Astros open a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday with LHP Brandon Walter (0-1 3.80 ERA) on the mound.

The Phillies open a three-game series at the Braves on Friday with RHP Mick Abel (2-1 3.47 ERA) against Atlanta RHP Bryce Elder (2-4 4.77).

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