How Anthony Richardson could solve Texans’ QB problem, upgrade the roster

Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud are all Houston Texans fans hear about in mock drafts.

Well, Will Levis, too.

One name that doesn’t get linked to the Texans is Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson.

In the mock draft world, one reason is because he is presumably the third quarterback at best in the draft class. Even if the Texans are picking No. 2 overall after another team has stolen their intended signal caller after dealing with the Chicago Bears at No. 1 overall, Houston is still in a position to get the second-best field general of the 2023 draft. Why mock Richardson to the Texans?

In Luke Easterling’s latest offerings from the Draft Wire, the Carolina Panthers take Richardson with their No. 6 overall pick. The Las Vegas Raiders take Levis with the very next selection. Easterling has been one of the few draft gurus to have Richardson ahead of Levis.

Nevertheless it presents an interesting scenario for the Texans.

After the Indianapolis Colts jump Houston and deal with the Bears for Young at No. 1 overall, the Texans are caught flat-footed and have to take Stroud.

What if the Texans went with the best player available instead? According to Pro Football Focus, Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter and Alabama defensive end Will Anderson are the two best players on their big board after Young.

Let’s say the Texans take Anderson to beef up their edge rush. New coach DeMeco Ryans gets his own Nick Bosa.

Using Easterling’s mock, the Panthers would have their choice of Stroud or Richardson, and going with the Ohio State product may be a move they make if it costs them nothing.

The Raiders stay with Levis because that seems to be a decision they would be willing to make.

From Nos. 8-11 overall (Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans), there aren’t any QB-needy teams. The Texans would be safe to grab Richardson with the No. 12 overall pick.

Texans fans in a Twitter poll indicated they wouldn’t be too upset with the move with 64.5% of 363 votes being okay if Houston settled on Richardson. Some were even onboard with making an additional trade to leap past the Panthers and take Richardson sooner.

Pick Anderson at 2 trade from 12 to 8 to jump Carolina to get Richardson.

— Mike Bull (@AKbulldogger) February 17, 2023

In such a scenario the Texans would have a premier pass rusher and also a young signal caller that could grow into the role, which would please Houston fans as they see the roster upgraded overall in the first round; the organization didn’t reach just to address needs.