Being Tom Brady's backup has its positives. Ryan Mallett's NFL stock is extremely high despite never throwing a pass in an actual game before. However, most teams are assuming that sitting behind Brady on a Bill Belichick team likely does something for a quarterback and a few teams are considering making a deal. However, the Patriots see Mallett as the future and have no intentions of letting him go.
According to ESPN Insider Ed Werder, the Patriots are not making Mallett available for trading. Many assumed that because the Patriots looked at several rookie prospects during pre-draft visits, showing signs that Mallett may be gone and the team will still be in need of a potential backup to Brady. However, all of that appears to be a smokescreen typical of Belichick.
The lack of availability of Mallett leaves the Houston Texans looking elsewhere for a quarterback. The team drafted Jadeveon Clowney No. 1 overall, but is still in need of getting their future franchise star. The Houston Chronicle reported that a trade for Mallett appeared to be the favored move considering Bill O'Brien familiarity with Mallett and the offense that he comes from. The backup would not cost the team anything higher than a fourth round pick and would be an excellent move after not getting someone like Blake Bortles.
The team could attempt to trade for Redskins backup Kirk Cousins. However, he is not cheap. The Cleveland Browns attempted to make that deal, offering up a third-round pick, which Washington turned down. The Texans are not going to offer up anything higher than what Cleveland did. Buccaneers backup Mike Glennon is also off the market after Lovie Smith referred to him as the future franchise star in Tampa Bay.
So with the first pick of the second round, does Houston take a quarterback? According to the Houston Chronicle, Derek Carr could be the favorite at No. 33. With Johnny Manziel, Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater off the board, Carr is said to be the best available. However, the Chronicle is also reporting that Houston could be wary considering the bust Derek's brother David was for the team.
At one point in time, Carr was a top ten pick, until specialty players became the favorite. Carr is a solid prospect, but not ready to start right away. However, the Texans need to fill the need and might feel the pressure to get someone as soon as possible.
