Why the Houston Texans have the best chance of landing Lamar Jackson
HOW THE PIECES FIT
29 March 2023
Lamar Jackson has publicly requested a trade from Baltimore, making it much more realistic that he gets dealt.
The Texans have something other teams in the sweepstakes don't have, which could be the reason they get him over anyone else.
The Texans have the 2nd overall pick in the draft, which means the Ravens could take a QB with that pick if a trade is agreed upon. At No.2, the Ravens could draft either CJ Stroud or Bryce Young, the two best QB prospects in the draft.
As opposed to making a deal with the Colts, who have the 4th overall selection. At No. 4, the Ravens would be choosing between Anthony Richardson and Will Levis. A big dropoff from Young and Stroud according to most draft evaluators.
Plus, Laremy Tunsil is publicly recruiting Jackson to Houston on Twitter, so that is something to monitor.
Another alternative?
Finally, could the Texans still land Jackson without including No. 2 overall in this draft? If the Texans wait to offer Jackson a contract until after the draft, the Texans could offer their first round picks in 2024 and 2025.
That would allow them to use this draft to upgrade the roster, then trade for Jackson, and still have a first round pick in 2024 from the Deshaun Watson trade.
A lot to unpack here. Be sure to check out the video as the guys break it all down!
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Hunter Brown pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning, and the Houston Astros beat the slumping Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on Friday night.
Brown (6-1) struck out nine, matching his season high for the fourth straight start. The right-hander also issued a season-high four walks in his fifth consecutive win.
Brown departed after Gavin Lux walked with two out in the sixth. Kaleb Ort got Spencer Steer to bounce into a forceout at second.
Josh Hader handled the ninth for his ninth save.
Cincinnati finished with four hits in its sixth loss in seven games.
Reds right-hander Nick Martinez (1-4) surrendered 10 hits and three runs in six innings. He struck out five and walked none.
Zach Dezenzo hit a two-out RBI single in the second, and the Astros added two more runs in the fifth.
Mauricio Dubón followed Brendan Rodgers’ leadoff double with a chopper past third baseman Santiago Espinal, moving Rodgers to third. Jeremy Peña drove in Rodgers with a groundout to second, and Isaac Paredes doubled home Dubón with two down.
Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Diaz each had two hits for the Astros.
Cincinnati's Austin Hays returned from the injured list after missing 10 games with a left hamstring strain. He went 1 for 4.
Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was scratched due to left calf tenderness after missing the last two games.
Key moment
Tyler Stephenson hit a one-out double for Cincinnati in the ninth. But Hader struck out Rece Hinds and Espinal, ending the game.
Key stat
It was Houston's first win against the Reds since June 19, 2016, ending a nine-game skid.
Up next
Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of the season and first home start since October 3, 2022, against Reds right-hander Brady Singer (4-2 3.66 ERA) on Saturday night.
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