Texans HC addresses starting rookie QB over veteran

New Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans sounds ready to let a rookie win the starting quarterback job later this year. 

"With the quarterback position, it’s all about the guy," Ryans said during a Tuesday news conference, as shared by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "We talk about a rookie quarterback, a veteran quarterback — it doesn’t matter. What’s the makeup of the guy? And is he worthy to start for your team? That’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter where the guy is in his career — is he a rookie, is he in his third year, fourth year? Who’s the best guy? Who’s the right guy for our team? And we don’t know that right now." 

Ryans accepted the Houston gig this past winter and, thus, does not have his coaching future tied to signed signal-callers such as 2021 third-round draft pick Davis Mills and veteran Case Keenum. 

According to ESPN stats, Mills ended this past campaign 29th out of 31 qualified players with a 33.1 adjusted QBR and 32nd out of 34 individuals with a 78.8 passer rating. In 15 games, Mills tossed 17 touchdown passes and a whopping 15 interceptions. 

Ryans hinted last month he would take Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young with the second pick of this year's draft if possible. However, Oddschecker notes that Young is an overwhelming favorite to go to the Carolina Panthers via the first overall choice. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. predicted in his latest mock draft published on Tuesday that Carolina will grab Young and that the Texans will take Ohio State Buckeyes product C.J. Stroud.

"We’re expecting him to come in, be a great teammate, work hard, be deliberate in what you’re doing, and have a mindset to get better each and every day," Ryans added about who will join the Texans via the second selection, per Simmons. "That’s the mindset no matter if it’s pick [No.] 2 or the last pick of the draft. It really doesn’t matter when you get picked. Leaders, those guys will grow based on our team. And each team is different. We have leaders in our locker room already. So, I’m not asking a guy to come in and be the savior for our team. I’m asking a guy to come in and put his head down and just work." 

For what it's worth, there's currently no sign the Texans are interested in utilizing the second pick to possibly land Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson. Baltimore could match any offer or accept two first-round draft picks in return for Jackson after the club retained his rights by using the non-exclusive franchise tag.