Insider predicts Texans will select surprising QB in first round

The Houston Texans could go with a quarterback in the first round on April 27, yet it just may be an unexpected choice.

In his mock draft, Peter King of NBC Sports predicts Houston will select Tennessee's Hendon Hooker at No. 12 overall and Texas Tech DE Tyree Wilson with the No. 2 pick.

"Guess which AFC South team has been doing work on Hooker for the last week or so? A clue: it's the team that's passing on C.J. Stroud," King wrote of the selection.

ESPN's Jordan Reid ranked Stroud as the second-best QB behind Alabama's Bryce Young. Therefore, it would make sense for the Texans to select the Ohio State QB at No. 2, especially after starter Davis Mills went 5-19-1 during his first two seasons.

However, Stroud's agent is David Mulugheta, who also represents former Texans QB Deshaun Watson.

"Remember Watson pocketed millions while staying away from the team as accusations of sexual misconduct mounted," wrote the Washington Post's Jason La Canfora. "In the eyes of GMs and agents around the league, that relationship plays a part in keeping Stroud from being a shoo-in at No. 2."

An unnamed GM told La Canfora "a lot of bad blood" between Mulugheta and Houston remains.

Although questions remain about Hooker's age, 25, and his ability to adapt to an NFL offense, his draft stock is soaring. 

An NFL QB coach recently told ESPN's Matt Miller, "The right system will help, but from a talent perspective, he can be a top-half-of-the-league guy."

Hooker suffered a season-ending ACL tear in 2022 but is expected to return for training camp, per Reid, making teams feel more comfortable about his durability.

Perhaps it makes sense for Houston to select Hooker — the FBS QBR leader (89.5) in 2022 — since league circles view him as a rising prospect.