The Houston Texans were roundly scorned for their 32-31 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Quarterback Davis Mills completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Akins on fourth-and-20 with less than a minute to go. Houston also converted a two-point conversion with Mills connecting with Akins to help Houston finish 3-13-1 on the year.
Meanwhile the Chicago Bears took their 14th loss on the year as the Minnesota Vikings prevailed 29-13. With a 3-14 mark, the Bears secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft — which the Texans were on target to have for the majority of the season.
In the latest mock draft from the 33rd Team, the Texans work a deal with the Bears to regain the top selection in April’s draft. Houston uses the pick to take Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.
The Bears are taking advantage of the Colts’ neediness at quarterback, too, and make a deal with Indianapolis to obtain the No. 2 overall pick, which is used to get Kentucky’s Will Levis.
Somehow the Texans are able to keep their No. 12 overall pick in Round 1, part of their deal with the Cleveland Browns in the 2022 offseason, and use it to give Young a target to grow with in USC receiver Jordan Addison.
The Texans add the most polished receiver in this class to pair with Young. Even in a deep receiver class, Houston is unlikely to land a player like Addison later in this draft.
The last time the No. 1 overall pick was traded was in 2016. The Los Angeles Rams traded a 2016 first-rounder, two 2016 second-rounders, and a 2016 third-rounder along with their 2017 first- and third-round selections for the Tennessee Titans’ first-, fourth-, and sixth-round picks. The Rams used the top overall selection to take quarterback Jared Goff.
If Houston were to go back to possessing the No. 1 overall pick, it might take that type of compensation.
