After having the worst record for most of the 2022 season, the Houston Texans won their final game of the season against the Indianapolis Colts to put them at No. 2 for the 2023 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears are now sitting one spot ahead of them, but that won't impact who the Texans will pick at No. 2.
There is no legal Texas sports betting but there are rumblings.
Hopefully that means big-name operators like Caesars Sportsbook Texas could be coming to the Lone Star State soon.
BetTexas.com wants to get out front with stories of interest to bettors in the state and provide a look at where the Texans go with that No. 2 pick.
With new head coach DeMeco Ryans now in place, the Texans are expected to pick a quarterback at No. 2 to rebuild the franchise around. But which quarterback will that be? Here are the latest hypothetical odds from BetTexas.com on who will be selected by Houston. As you can see, the top three names are all quarterbacks:
Odds of Texans’ 2nd Overall Pick in NFL Draft
Breaking Down the Options
The favorite (+120) to be picked at No. 2 is Alabama QB Bryce Young, who is widely viewed as the top passer in this year's draft. Young posted two tremendous seasons for the Crimson Tide and has the leadership, poise and accuracy to become one of the league's top passers. Despite a lackluster supporting cast in 2022, Young threw 32 touchdowns in 12 games and averaged 9.9 yards per attempt. He had just 12 interceptions in 27 starts and Alabama went 23-4 during his collegiate career. His only knock is his lack of size as he could measure under 6-feet, 195 pounds at the NFL Combine. If that’s the case, that could open the door for another quarterback to jump him at the No. 2 pick. Otherwise, he’s a fairly safe bet to be a top three pick in this year’s draft.
If the Texans want more size, C.J. Stroud could be an option with implied odds of 39.2%. Like Young, Stroud had two monster seasons in college and saved his best performance of his career against Georgia in the College Football Playoff. Against the No. 1 defense in college football, Stroud threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns, nearly upsetting the eventual National Champions. He isn’t quite as dynamic as Young as a passer, but his size and accuracy make him a legit option for the Texans at No. 2.
But if the Texans want to go with a quarterback with the highest ceiling, they might opt for Will Levis of Kentucky. Levis doesn’t have the stats or the wins of Young or Stroud, but he has a huge arm and the ideal frame for an NFL quarterback. He’s also mobile enough to get out of the pocket and make plays with his legs. Levis is a much bigger projection than Young or Stroud, but you can't rule him out at No. 2, given his upside.
While it’s possible that the Texans could opt to go in an entirely different direction at No. 2, it really only makes sense that the team grabs a quarterback. They need someone to build the franchise around.
With the AFC being more competitive than ever, they will need a quarterback who can go toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, etc. That’s why it would be a massive shock if the Texans picked anything but a quarterback in Round 1. So, look for the Texans to pick one of these three quarterbacks at No. 2 during the NFL Draft in April.
And look to BetTexas.com for any news on sports betting in the state, such as the top Texas sports betting promo codes once everything launches in the Lone Star State.
