Insiders address Texans not drafting QB with pick No. 2

ESPN NFL insiders Matt Miller and Jordan Reid believe the Houston Texans legitimately could pass on a quarterback with the second overall pick of this year's draft. 

"In texts and calls with scouts, coaches and even agents throughout the past week, I couldn't find one person who truly believes the Texans will select a QB there," Miller said for a piece published Friday. "This is either the best-organized smokescreen of all time or the Texans are really set on drafting a defensive player at No. 2 overall." 

Specifically, Miller noted that "league sources" think Houston will acquire Alabama Crimson Tide star pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr. with selection No. 2. As of Friday afternoon, Oddschecker had Anderson as the betting favorite at +230 to be the second pick next Thursday night.

"...Since the Texans don't have any building blocks along the defensive line, they could have a higher grade on Anderson than any of the quarterbacks not named Bryce Young (Alabama) -- who is the assumed No. 1 pick," Reid added. 

In a mock draft updated this past Tuesday, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay predicted Houston will grab Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud with the draft's second choice even though many assume Houston will let Stroud fall to at least No. 3 in the draft order. 

Of the six CBS Sports analysts who have shared mock drafts, only Will Brinson had Houston taking Anderson over either Young or Stroud as of Friday. Interestingly, Brinson also forecasted that the Texans will draft Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson with pick No. 12. 

Multiple draft experts have previously said they believe a team such as the Detroit Lions or Minnesota Vikings could trade up to the third pick to get Richardson. To compare, Kiper and McShay had the Indianapolis Colts taking Richardson with the fourth selection earlier this week.