Why the Houston Texans have the best chance of landing Lamar Jackson

HOW THE PIECES FIT

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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The Astros beat the A's, 11-1. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.

Jose Altuve's 40th four-hit game included a pair of home runs and the Houston Astros rolled to an 11-1 win on Tuesday night that dealt the Athletics their 12th loss in 13 games.

Altuve singled on the first inning, homered leading off a three-run third and hit a two-run drive in the fourth, getting his 13th career multihomer game with his eighth home run this season. He singled the sixth ahead of Christian Walker’s homer.

Altuve, who matched his career high for hits, was pinch hit for in the eighth.

Jeremy Pena’s two-run home run capped a four-run second inning.

The A's have been outscored 100-41 during their skid, which they ended with a 5-4 win over Philadelphia on Sunday.

Hunter Brown (7-3) allowed one run and six hits in six innings, including Lawrence Butler's leadoff homer in the fourth.

JP Sears (4-5) gave up nine runs and 10 hits, both career highs, in 3 1/3 innings. He has allowed seven homers, 15 runs and 17 hits over 8 1/3 innings in his last two starts, raising his ERA to 5.18.

Before the game the A's made four roster moves, putting 22-year-old first baseman Nick Kurtz on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Sunday. They A's acquired left-hander Sean Newcomb from Boston for cash.

Key moment

When left fielder Tyler Soderstrom couldn't come up with a diving catch on a liner from Chas McCormick with two outs in the second, Yainer Diaz scored from first. Mauricio Dubón followed with an RBI double and Peña homered.

Key stat

Denzel Clarke and Drew Avens got their first major league hits for the A's.

Up next

A's RHP Luis Severino (1-4, 4.11 ERA) and Astros RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (0-1, 6.57 ERA) start Wednesday.

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