The Texans have the No. 1 draft pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. This will be the 3rd time in the history of the franchise that the Texans will have the No. 1 Pick. In 2002, the Texans took David Carr as the first pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, in 2006 they took Mario Williams. While both of those players turned out to be great No. 1 picks, they were not the franchise players that you need to build the next to 10 to 12 years upon. Unfortunately in this 2014 draft there is not a consensus once-in-a-lifetime pick, but rather a bunch of great potential franchise building players.
With the Texan's hiring Penn State's Bill O'Brien, firing the entire Kubiak-era assistant coaching staff, there is a good chance that 2013 will look completely different. Here is what I think they might possibly do with the 2014 1st Round Draft Pick.
Option #1: Draft Teddy Bridgewater.
Matt Schaub will likely be cut and the Texans pay a lot of money to do so, Case Keenum will likely stay in on in a back up role, and T.J. Yates will be reduced to practice squad or out of the league. That leaves the Texans with the need for a franchise quarterback. Insert Teddy B. Bridgewater is by far the best QB in this draft, but not a home run.
Pro & Cons:
+ Has a lot of raw talent, seems to be let go under Charlie Strong's offense at Louisville.
+ Is very comfortable in a pro-style offense.
- Level of competition in college was primarily AAC or Big East Teams, the only time that he stepped out of conference was the BCS bowl game in 2012 where he was the MVP of the game. What will he do against stronger and faster Defensive lines?
- Throwing motion is weird. I don't necessarily think it doesn't work, but it bothers me in watching his highlights. He has a 3/4ths throwing motion that doesn't follow through. Is he throttling back power?
Option #2: Draft Jadeveon Clowney
"But John, the Texans obviously need a quarterback." You can get that through free agency. Pay a Kirk Cousins or get a 5th or 6th rounder. See what Bill O'Brien can do with Case Keenum. You can build up a quarterback to a level that is acceptable to be used in "Game planned" offense that Bill O'Brien is bringing to "them boys on Kirby."
Pros & Cons
- Takes plays off. There are times when you see him kind of go through the motions this year. Jadeveon
+ Freakish raw talent. 6'6" and 279 pounds and built like a rock. Oh and the speed, let me just reference you to this little article (link)
+ Creates the "Uber" defense. Being put on the left side at Defensive End opposite of J.J. Watt, with Cushing coming back next year creates by far one of the best defensives instantly.
Option #3: Draft Johnny Manziel
Yes, I'm serious.
This is my wildcard pick. This would be something that I don't think the Texans organization would do. I am trying to take out my maroon colored glasses and explain why. If you build a system around Johnny Football, he can orchestrate it. You can't fit him into one
Pros & Cons:
- Off the field problems. We all know he had a terrible off-season. The Texans don't generally take a risk on these type of players.
+ Natural born leader. That X-factor that you look for in a draft pick, Johnny has it.
+ Style is on the rise. As athletes who can beat you with their feet and not just their arm are becoming the norm.
