Mel Kiper NFL Mock Draft: Texans Stay Put, Pick 'Top-Rated Guy' in QB Bryce Young

If the Houston Texans prefer Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young in the NFL Draft over Ohio State's CJ Stroud then one mock draft says they could still get him at No. 2.

The Houston Texans were so close to having the top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and we spent most of the season seeing mocks projecting them to get it. 

But at the last minute, former coach Lovie Smith pulled the rug out from everyone and the Texans ended up with the No. 2 overall pick instead. 

Faced with having to either buy their way up to No. 1 or stick at No. 2, eventually, it was the Chicago Bears who decided to move back to No. 9 rather than drop back one spot leaving Houston with nowhere to go.

But all may not be lost according to ESPN's latest mock draft from Mel Kiper Jr., which says the team may just get the guy they're after anyway, as long as that guy is Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young. 

"(The Texans) could still get their top-rated guy," says ESPN. "Throughout the NFL, there is no consensus top quarterback in this class...For the Texans, who are in the early stages of a roster reset, they have to get the face of their franchise. Young can be that guy."

Of course, we've also had the pleasure of covering not one, but two first-round draft picks for Houston in the mocks.

Here, with their second pick on Day 1, the Texans take Georgia linebacker, Nolan Smith.

"Houston had a rough time on both sides of the ball last season," says ESPN. "With this one, I'm giving them a quarterback for their defense. People in the league rave about Smith's leadership skills, and he was outstanding at the combine...could be a foundational player for coach DeMeco Ryans, who is going to mold this defense in his own image."

What's interesting here is that we've seen a lot of quarterback and receiver duos mock-drafted to the Texans over the past year or so. 

Here, we see leaders on each side of the ball brought in to help Ryans establish his new culture and hopefully begin to usher in a new era of winning in Houston.

Find David on Twitter @DHarrison82

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