Texans Wire 7-round mock draft: Houston picks Will Levis

This pick will require the most explanation.

Houston, as stated, remains in a very uncomfortable position for this draft. They lost the relative “apple of their eye” in quarterback Bryce Young and the past three weeks have been focused around trying to figure out in what way the team may respond.

Alabama defensive end Will Anderson comes with insane production from the SEC and high remarks about his character. Those are checked by issues around his frame at the NFL level and questions of his fit in Ryans’ 4-3 defense as an every-down edge player. Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson comes with the prototypical size and length that coaches covet at that position but never showed himself in college to be a player that was worth the second overall selection.

Altogether, Houston is left with two prospects who ideally would not be selected at second overall. The publicity around their hesitation to draft a quarterback like C.J. Stroud at this position leaves them in a difficult spot to find a trade-down partner.

The Texans need a quarterback. It’s the worst position on their roster and the biggest need for winning football games next season. There is expected to be pressure from ownership to select at the position and passing on one would signal another year of non-competitive football from the club. If there is a quarterback who Houston likes enough to consider drafting with one of their two first round picks, the value of the position and their absolute need suggests they will take that player here instead of potentially losing them before coming onto the clock again.

Levis could be that quarterback.

Oddsmakers have Levis as the Texans’ second-ranked quarterback, and he comes with a set of tools and background that will be attractive to the team. Levis’ arm strength sets himself up to grow into one of the league’s more dynamic passers while his familiarity with offensive scheme of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik should make for a very smooth transition. His evaluation coming from Kentucky is a difficult one and the team could very well believe they’ll offer him the best supporting cast of his career immediately as a rookie.

He’s not a perfect pick here but the surrounding circumstances point to him becoming a natural compromise for Houston. It doesn’t hurt that he’s the current betting favorite nationally.