The Houston Texans are one of the biggest losers of the 2023 NFL offseason. They haven’t received that designation because of anything that they did but as a result of other moves that were made.
Owners of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Texans were in a good spot to have their pick of the top quarterback prospects. There were rumors of them discussing a trade with the Chicago Bears to acquire the No. 1 overall pick, but that never came to fruition.
Instead, the Carolina Panthers made a trade-up with the Bears. While the Texans may not get their No. 1 player on the board, the quarterback is still their major need. Finding a franchise quarterback is the No. 1 need for Houston, but that is far from the only thing this roster is lacking.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Texans don’t have a premier pass rusher to rely on. Last season they relied on aging veterans Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison. But, that could change with a blockbuster trade during the draft.
One player that could be a target for them is Josh Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Allen is entering Year 5 in the NFL, which means the Jaguars are coming to a crossroads about his future.
Trade rumors surrounded him ahead of the deadline in November, so Jacksonville could move him now, save $11 million and pick up some assets in the process instead of losing him for nothing in free agency next offseason. Registering at least 7.0 sacks in three out of his four seasons in the NFL, the Jaguars would be able to get some valuable assets in return.
What kind of trade package could it cost? A suggested offer would be the Texans sending the No. 33 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Jaguars in exchange for Allen. Only 25 years old, Allen could be a piece for Houston to build around for years to come.
Normally, trading draft capital wouldn’t be suggested for a rebuilding team, but the Texans have plenty of draft capital from previous trades that were made. Trading a premium second-round pick hoping to get the kind of production that Allen provides would be a shrewd move. Flush with cap space, there would be no hesitations in signing him to a long-term deal, either.
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