Following a tumultuous last twelve months, the Texans have ended up with the #2 and #12 picks in this year’s draft for a total of seven of the first 100 draft picks. While the result was disastrous, Cal McNair and the front office have shown some progress towards the future, most notably hiring esteemed coordinator DeMeco Ryans as head coach. With the NFL Draft looming, the Texans are in a position to shape their franchise for years to come, for better or for worse. With that in mind, here are three options for trades the Texans can make to put them in a better position going forward.
At this point, its assumed that the Texans will take a QB at pick #2, and for good reason. Where the draft gets real interesting is pick #12, as there will still be some very high ceiling players on the board at that pick. While it would make sense for the Texans to take the best player available here, you also have to recognize that this roster is flawed all over. By moving back a few selections, Houston can acquire some more much needed draft capital to build their roster. A team I can see moving up is the Patriots; even though it’s not normally how they operate, they could lose Jakobi Meyers in the offseason and need a promising wide receiver badly.
Houston sends: Pick 1.12
New England sends: Pick 1.14, 4th round pick, 5th round pick
Trade Idea #2: Trade up for a third 1st round pick
If the Texans stay with picks #2 and #12, I predict them going QB-Defense with those selections However, in a situation where one of the top WRs slide down the boards on draft night, I can see the Texans trading up for a third first round pick and taking a receiver here. I liken this trade to the Jermaine Johnson trade for the Jets last season, in which they traded back into the first using their early 2nd and early 3rd to their advantage. The Ravens, after trading away their second round pick to the Bears this season, could be looking to get back some draft capital, even if they arguably should take a receiver here.
Houston sends: Pick 2.2 (34 overall), Pick 3.10 (#76 overall), 2024 6th round pick
Baltimore sends: Pick 1.23
Trade Idea #3: Make Brandin Cooks happy
After signing an extension last offseason, Cooks made it very well known that he would not like to be part of an upcoming rebuild. While plans at last deadline fell through, it’s safe to assume he won’t be on the Texans opening day roster come September. Where he ends up is entirely dependent on how much of his salary the receiving team will inherit. If Houston can stomach eating a good portion of his salary, they should be able to receive a decent return here. Look for a Super Bowl contender to try to convince the Texans to do just that.
Houston Sends: Brandin Cooks, 2024 7th round pick
Buffalo Sends: Pick 3.28 (92nd overall), 2024 4th round pick
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