Johnny Manziel is preparing to become a free agent at the end of March. According to Pat McManamon of ESPN.com, the Browns will release the quarterback once NFL rules permit the move making the former first-round draft pick available for the taking. Off-the-incidents have clouded just about any potential Manziel has shown on the field which could make his free agency run difficult to predict. Stressing the need for a quarterback, could the Houston Texans take a chance on the former Browns' player?
According to Houston Texans' owner Bob McNair, finding a franchise quarterback is the team's top priority this offseason. The Texans had many players attempt to handle the job in 2016 and all of them failed. While the team did make it to the playoffs, the historically bad performance by Brian Hoyer put the need into focus and McNair plans on exploring every avenue for help.
"I've been saying that," McNair said, via the Houston Chronicle. "The question is what's available, and what's the price? How many draft picks might you have to give up? You can't undermine the rest of your team while you're trying to get a quarterback. This isn't a department store where they have them on the shelf, and you just pick one up. It's a question of who's available."
Manziel is available, but is he wanted? According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, the Texans are not expected to show interest in Manziel understanding that off-the-field issues could be a major issues in that state. That is the problem Manziel will face in free agency as many teams simply do not want to take the risk. While Rapoport writes that Houston is desperate to improve at the quarterback position, they are not desperate enough for Manziel.
Could they land Sam Bradford? According to Bleacher Report, Bradford would be wise to look at Houston considering the team is built for success already. However, Philadelphia might not make him available as Jeff McLane of Philly.com reports a franchise tag could be the outcome for Bradford forcing other teams to offer up two first-round draft picks to acquire him. Again, Houston is not that desperate.
The Texans do not have a high draft pick which complicates the situation even more. They could miss out on at least two of the top three options. With the talent not guaranteed in this year's draft class, trading up for someone like Jared Goff, Paxton Lynch and Carson Wentz is not worth it. The team will likely wait and see who falls in their lap while players like Christian Hackenberg, Dak Prescott or Kevin Hogan could become favored players to select.
The Texans will wait and see what happens in free agency. Ryan Fitzpatrick could become available. Trades for players like Zach Mettenberger could come about while Robert Griffin III will be available as well. None of the options are guaranteed which will make things tough on Houston.