The Houston Texans are heading into the offseason with some glaring needs and the most important is at quarterback and a Ryan Mallett trade, free agents like Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell, Matt Flynn and Michael Vick could be options for Bill O'Brien over players like Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles or Teddy Bridgewater in the draft.
The Texans had a rough season in 2013 and Matt Schaub struggled nightly and was replaced at one point by Case Keenum and with his release a likely move for Houston, Bill O'Brien will need a new quarterback. ESPN.com and Pro Football Talk reported that a Mallet trade could be an option due to the connection from O'Brien serving as the Patriots quarterbacks coach, but so far there has been no real movement on that. On the free agent side, names like Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell, Matt Flynn and Michael Vick are options, but not long term ones and that could lead O'Brien to the draft.
The Texans have a huge decision to make, as they have three quarterbacks to choose from in Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles or Teddy Bridgewater (and possible Derek Carr), while they also could go after Jadeveon Clowney. This is a similar situation to the last time the Texans had the number one pick, as they opted to take Mario Williams over Reggie Bush and they went defense over offense. O'Brien could go after a free agent quarterback and then use the pick on someone like Clowney or Sammy Watkins, but with names like Manziel and Bridgewater there for the taking, it could be hard to pass on that.
According to ESPN.com, NFL.com is reporting that the Texans may try to trade Schaub over a release to try and get something in return for him and on top of that, his contract makes him tough to simply cut without any financial issues. The Texans were in the mix for Josh McCown, but he signed with the Buccaneers and now he is set to be their starter after playing very well for the Chicago Bears last season. McCown was set to visit the Texans and now they could turn to some of the other names on the market.
The Texans could go after Vick, Flynn or Weeden as a short term option as they draft and develop a quarterback, or they could do that and still take Clowney at number one. Many have speculated that the team could trade the pick, but right now the draft is too far away to see if they will do that or not. The team has needs at tight end as well after releasing Owen Daniels and the quarterback position is obviously the most important to figure out.