The Houston Texans continue to explore every option when it comes to the NFL Draft. Having the No. 1 pick is both a curse and a blessing considering the depth at several positions in this year's class. While the Texans are in need of a starting quarterback after trading away Matt Schaub to the Oakland Raiders, but could a defensive star really be the No. 1 overall pick instead?
The Texans could be looking for a strong defensive tandem much like the one the Detroit Lions have with Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh. They took the first step towards that effort on Friday when JJ Watt exercised the fifth-year option on his contract. The move is merely a formality. Teams have until May 3 to exercise options which is guaranteed for injury only until the final day of the 2014 league year. However, a real contract extension is in Watt's future sooner rather than later
With Watt staying on board for the long haul, the Texans are looking for someone to put alongside him to create one of the premier pass rushing units in the league. Watt would love for that to come by way of Jadeveon Clowney. According to the Houston Chronicle, Watt likes what he sees in Clowney and is hopeful the Texans made a run at him with the top pick. Apparently, the feeling is mutual.
"I love his game," Clowney said of Watt, via NFL.com. "He can help me, and I can help him, hopefully. I've watched his game, in situations he gets double teams, triple teams on him, too. That could help me be a bigger factor on that defense."
Watt is not the only one predicting the Texans take Clowney. ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr has placed the defensive end at the top of his 2014 Mock Draft, convinced the Texans will not pass up on him. Kiper notes that Clowney is the safest pick in the draft and would make an excellent pairing with Watt.
If the Texans snag Clowney first, they have to take a quarterback with the second pick. HouseofHouston.com predicts the Texans could trade away a pick, move back into the first round and get Blake Bortles, someone Bill O'Brien is very impressed with. However, the draft stock of both Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron is sky rocketing and both quarterbacks could see themselves taken in the second round by the Texans.
