More Draft: NFL mock drafts | Prospect rankings | Latest news | Big Board
It's Feb. 4, which means the 2013 season is officially in the books and the NFL Draft is still some three months off. It also means that any draft-related scuttlebutt we hear now will almost certainly change in the coming days and weeks.
Whatever happens, this much is certain: the Texans, who hold the first overall pick, are in the market for a franchise quarterback.
Whether they'll take one No. 1 remains to be seen, but Sports on Earth's Russ Lande writes that, "According to trusted sources, the Texans are initially leaning towards taking either Blake Bortles or Johnny Manziel with the top pick. Although Manziel would obviously be the choice of owner Bob McNair, [new coach Bill] O'Brien is not sold that Manziel possesses the work ethic and intangibles necessary to be the face of a franchise."
McNair has said previously that the Texans could look to move out of the top pick.
"Maybe we'll trade down and still get a quarterback that can do the job and get an outstanding defensive player," he said in early January. "It's an exciting time. Everything's a moving target. Lot of different pieces."
And a few weeks later, McNair spoke glowingly of Jadeveon Clowney, the South Carolina defensive end considered one of the best players in the draft.
"He is a remarkable player," the owner said. "He's one of these players that's a once every 10 years kind of physical specimen. Mario Williams was that way. I think that Clowney is a better athlete than Mario, so that tells you what kind of player he can be."
Lande notes that it's possible the Texans go with Clowney over a quarterback with the No. 1 selection. And if the Texans aren't high on Bortles, they could trade down with a team that has "Manziel fever" or prefers Teddy Bridgewater to Clowney and pick up an extra first-rounder along the way.
But we have plenty of time to sort this all out.
For now, just know that in their latest mock draft, NFLDraftScout.com's Rob Rang and Dane Brugler have the Texans taking Clowney and Bortles, respectively, with that first-overall selection.
