Here's what a Houston Texans game of chicken would look like on draft day
THE STAKES ARE HIGH!
08 March 2023
At this point in the draft cycle, we've seen and discussed almost every possible scenario for the Texans in the 2023 NFL Draft. Most mock drafts indicate the Texans will take one of the top QBs in the draft at No. 2, or trade up one spot with the Bears and select a QB.
But a new report from The Athletic suggests the Texans could look to stick and pick at No. 2 and No. 12 hoping a Top 4 QB falls to them at 12, which would allow the team to go best player available at No.2.
We spoke with draft expert Lance Zierlein about the validity of this scenario. While he doesn't believe this plan of action is the best way to go for Houston, he does think there's a chance Kentucky QB Will Levis could still be on the board at No.12.
So if the draft plays out in this fashion, the Texans could end up with Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson and QB Will Levis. But if they gamble on Levis being there and are wrong, the team would likely be looking for a bridge QB to compete with Davis Mills and prepare to draft a QB next season.
What would LZ like the Texans to do in an ideal world?
We asked what he would do if he were running the Texans draft. Zierlein responded by saying he would play a game of “chicken” with the Bears, and refuse to trade up to pick No.1. If the Bears are unable to trade out of the pick, Bryce Young would be the selection for Houston, with the Bears going defense with the first pick.
And if the Bears do trade the pick, they won't want to trade back too far, so they can still draft a quality defensive player. Leaving the Texans with Will Anderson or their favorite QB that's still on the board at No. 2.
In an ideal world, Lance wants the Texans to draft Young at No.2 and then select a defensive lineman that fits DeMeco Ryans' scheme. Zierlein believes the Texans need an overhaul on the defensive line to properly run DeMeco's defense. He would also be okay with the team selecting Arkansas LB Drew Sanders at No. 12.
Be sure to watch the video above for the full conversation!
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Marcus Semien hit his 250th career home run and Adolis García also went deep to back up a strong start by Nathan Eovaldi and give the Texas Rangers a 5-1, series clinching victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Eovaldi (7-3) limited Houston to five hits and a run with eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings for his third straight win.
Houston starter Hunter Brown (9-4) allowed five hits and four runs while striking out eight in five innings as the AL West leaders lost for the fifth time in six games. It was the second straight tough outing for the All-Star, who gave up a season-high six runs in his last start against Cleveland.
Wyatt Langford walked to open the second and the Rangers made it 1-0 when he scored on a triple by Evan Carter. There were two outs in the inning when Carter scored on a ground-rule double by Ezequiel Duran to push the lead to 2-0.García’s third homer in the last four games put Texas ahead 3-0 with two outs in the third inning.
Carter doubled to start the fourth and Kyle Higashioka singled before Carter scored on a sacrifice fly by Alejandro Osuna to make it 4-0.
The Astros cut it to 4-1 on a home run by Zack Short with no outs in the sixth inning.
Semien’s shot with one out in the eighth inning was his second of the series and gave him 250 in his 13-year career.
Key moment
Texas jumping on Brown for two runs in the second inning to take the lead for good.
Key stat
García’s 20 home runs against the Astros since 2021 are the most of any player in that span.
Up next
The Astros open the second half of the season Friday night at Seattle, and the Rangers host Detroit on the same night.
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