The Houston Texans opted not to select a quarterback with the first overall pick last night in Round 1 of the NFL draft, and soon after saw Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater all come off the first in the first 32 picks.
The Texans hold the first pick in the second round, and while there is certainly a strong chance the team drafts a quarterback — at some point — there is a veteran the team has its eye on.
According to multiple reports, the Texans are expected to trade a mid-round pick in exchange for New England Patriots quarterback Ryan Mallett, who was drafted back in 2011 when Texans coach Bill O’Brien was the offensive coordinator.
A source tells me Ryan Mallett to the Texans may soon be done.
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) May 8, 2014
Wouldn’t get hopes up for landing more than a 3rd-5th for Mallett, and don’t think a trade would stop #Texans from drafting a QB early
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) May 8, 2014
A deal is expected to be done soon, and it should as a surprise to no one. The Texans contacted New England about Mallett’s available earlier in the offseason, too.
If and when he is acquired, Mallett theoretically would battle Ryan Fitzpatrick for the starting job. It’s a bit of a trial run, because if he doesn’t impress the Texans can allow him to walk in free agency, perhaps opening the door for whichever rookie they draft to take over.
Mallett has attempted four passes in is three-year career, completing one for 17 yards and an interceptions. In other words, not a very large body of work.
The potential addition of Mallett is not expected to prevent Houston from drafting a quarterback. The Texans are on the clock to start the second round, with Derek Carr, Tom Savage, Zach Mettenberger and A.J. McCarron, among others, available.
On “SportsCenter” Friday, ESPN’s Ed Werder said the team is skeptical about drafting Carr, the younger brother of David Carr, who the team selected in the first round of the draft a decade ago.
Mallett is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and knowing that he wanted to explore his options and perhaps pursue a starting opportunity, the Patriots conducted a number of interviews with quarterback prospects.
Per TFY Draft Insider, the Pats are “incredibly high” on Savage, and are very much considering using a mid-round pick on him.
