Examining the QB conundrum if Houston Texans sit and pick at No. 2 overall
ROLL THE DICE!
01 March 2023
The Houston Texans have an opportunity to take a franchise QB in this draft that could set them up to do some real winning and finally get to a conference championship game. One thing that is concerning fans is the idea that Bryce Young could be off the board when the Texans pick.
Some believe taking a defensive player and waiting on QB would be the better value play, despite draft experts like Mel Kiper Jr having QB Will Levis higher on his board than Bryce Young. And some evaluators like NFL Network's Bucky Brooks have CJ Stroud as the highest rated QB. So there is hardly a consensus.
Winning division championships may be enough for some Texans fans, but for the rest of us, we've seen that movie before. And if we learned one thing from this year's Super Bowl, the game was all about quarterback play. The Eagles came in with a furious pass rush and couldn't get Patrick Mahomes down one time. That game was won with high level QB play.
No one is saying they should draft a QB if they don't believe in the player, we're just saying Bryce Young isn't the only option in the draft that could be a franchise QB. And defensive players that get drafted high aren't guaranteed to have success. They disappoint frequently. Why not take a swing on a player that can change your franchise?
Be sure to check out the video above as the guys react to a heated debate about what the Texans should do with the No. 2 pick overall.
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How Astros surging ace raises key questions about Houston's short, long-term rotation moves
Jul 25, 2024, 5:39 pm
It's no secret to Astros fans that the ascension of Hunter Brown is one of the primary reasons the team was able to rebound from a disastrous start to the season.
Astros manager Joe Espada has seen enough from Brown to start throwing around the word “ace” when talking about him.
Joe Espada on Hunter Brown: "He's having that ace feeling to him. We are expecting him to go out there and deliver what he just did. We knew all along that is in him and now he's starting to turn the corner. He's starting to have that swag where he knows 'my team needs a win.'"
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 24, 2024
And it appears the biggest key to Brown's turnaround was mixing in a two-seam fastball to keep right-handed hitters honest. Brown needed a pitch that could command the inside of the plate, which allows his other pitches to be more effective.
We learned just recently, from Chandler Rome of The Athletic, that Alex Bregman was the one that suggested the addition of the two-seam fastball to Brown's arsenal.
Come to find out, Bregman often shares advice on how to attack hitters. Or he'll ask pitchers why they chose a certain pitch in a specific situation.
This just goes to show that veteran leadership can make a big difference. Especially on a team with so many young pitchers and catchers. Bregman was able to help Brown when no pitching coach could.
For Brown, this small tweak could be the catalyst that changes the course of his career. And the Astros season for that matter.
However, some will say the difference in Brown is more about confidence than anything else. But confidence only builds after repeated success. Nobody knows where Brown would be without the two-seam fastball.
Looking ahead
If the Astros do make the playoffs, where will Espada slot Brown in the playoff rotation? Framber Valdez has the playoff experience, so he'll probably be penciled in as the number one starter.
Justin Verlander (neck) still isn't facing live batters, so it's hard to count on him. Ronel Blanco has been an All-Star level pitcher this season, but he doesn't have any experience pitching playoff games for the Astros.
So it wouldn't be surprising at all if Brown is the team's number two starter. In all likelihood, whoever is pitching the best at the end of the season may get the nod. But it's fun to discuss in the meantime.
Finally, how does Hunter Brown's arrival impact the Astros' plans at the trade deadline? And how could that affect Justin Verlander's future with the club?
Be sure to check out the video above for the full conversation!
Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
