NFL insider admits Houston Texans draft could get hairy

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

The latest odds in Vegas have Ohio State QB CJ Stroud as the favorite to be drafted number one overall by the Carolina Panthers. If Vegas is correct and Stroud is selected by the Panthers, does that make Bryce Young a lock to be drafted by the Texans at No. 2?

We asked NFL.com draft expert Lance Zierlein that exact question, and he believes it's a forgone conclusion that if Young is there for the Texans at No.2, he will be the pick.

But what if the opposite happens, the Panthers take Young and Stroud is there for the Texans. Should we assume the Texans would draft Stroud in this scenario?

This is where things get tricky. In theory, yes. But Zierlein isn't convinced that Stroud would be the no-brainer selection based on the Texans dealings with Stroud's agent, David Mulugheta, who also represents Deshaun Watson. And we all know how that played out. Watson got a huge payday from the Texans, and then forced his way out of town, leaving Houston with a salary cap mess.

Be sure to check out the video above as the guys share their thoughts on how this could all go down.

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Nick Chubb will make a great addition to Houston's backfield. Photo via: Wiki Commons.

Over the weekend, reports emerged linking the Texans and four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, with mutual interest in a potential deal.

The contract is expected to be a one-year, incentive-heavy deal, but it’s contingent on Chubb passing a physical. He’s working his way back from a severe knee injury suffered in 2023, followed by a broken foot that sidelined him for the final three games of the 2024 season.

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Chubb has passed his physical, so a deal should be official in short order.

Impact on the offense

If Chubb can return to anything close to the player he was before the knee injury, this will give the Texans offense a tremendous lift. Chubb, still only 29 years old, is one of the best backs in the league when he's right. Chubb rushed for 996 yards in his rookie season, and then ripped off four-straight seasons with over 1,000 yards. With his best year in 2022 (1,525 yards) before blowing out his knee in Week 2 of 2023.

Pairing Chubb with Joe Mixon could create a dynamic duo in Houston's backfield. And should Mixon miss time like he did in 2024 with an ankle injury, Chubb could step in without the offense missing a beat.

Chubb could also make a big impact in goal line situations. At 227 pounds, he's a big load for defenders to take down.

One thing is for sure, if the Texans make this deal official, nobody can say the front office isn't doing their best to surround CJ Stroud with top level talent this season. With a revamped offensive line and a slew of new playmakers, we should expect the Texans to get the offense back on track in 2025 and beyond.

Official!

It's a done deal, per KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson. A one-year contract worth up to $5 million.


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