Pat McAfee Show: Michael Lombardi sets the record straight on CJ Stroud, Texans

REAL TALK

NFL insider Michael Lombardi joins The Pat McAfee Show and shares his thoughts on why he believes the Houston Texans are going to take the best player available, and that isn't CJ Stroud, according to him.

Lombardi is of the opinion that every QB in this draft besides Bryce Young has something “wrong with them.” Meaning, something about their game indicates to him that they're not ready to step in and play at the NFL level.

So if it's not Stroud, what will the Texans do? Lombardi believes the Texans and DeMeco Ryans will have a long-term outlook and minimize risk by taking the best player available. Which according to him is Georgia defender Jalen Carter, but Carter's off the field issues likely will cause Houston to pass on him in favor of Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson or Texas Tech d-lineman Tyree Wilson.

The Texans could also be in position to trade down and get a nice trade package for a team looking to draft Stroud.

A new wrinkle?

Lombardi later makes the case that it seems NFL teams are starting to believe Stroud may not go No. 2 after all, and are seriously considering other possibilities. If teams are preparing as if this could actually happen, and it isn't a smoke screen, there might be something to this. Of course, the Texans could just be doing a good job of creating uncertainty.

We'll find out next Thursday!

Be sure to check out the video above to learn more!

Warning: The video contains graphic language.

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The Astros beat the A's 13-3. Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images.

Cam Smith hit two of Houston's five home runs and finished with four hits as the Astros routed the Athletics 13-3 on Tuesday night to halt their four-game winning streak.

Jason Alexander, claimed off waivers from the Athletics last month, pitched six shutout innings for Houston before tiring in the seventh. Mauricio Dubón, Christian Walker and Cooper Hummel also homered for the Astros.

Smith and Dubón went back-to-back in the fourth.

Smith connected for leadoff shots in the second and fourth. He drove in three runs and scored three times. The 22-year-old rookie has five major league homers — and two multihomer games.

Dubón followed Smith's second home run with his second this season for a 5-0 lead against A's starter JP Sears, who walked the bases loaded in the first before giving up a two-run single to Jake Meyers.

Smith finished off his first four-hit game with an RBI double in the eighth.

Alexander (1-0) threw a season-high 95 pitches in his 12th career start and first since Sept. 18, 2022, with Milwaukee. He allowed three runs — two earned — and three hits.

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