With the Texans reportedly narrowing down their options with the first overall pick in May's draft to four players, owner Bob McNair wants the past to be a guide for what comes next in Houston.
The Texans have held the No. 1 pick twice before. In 2002, as a brand-new franchise, they used it to select quarterback David Carr. In 2006, general manager Charley Casserly made the controversial decision to take pass rusher Mario Williams over instant ticket-seller Reggie Bush.
"That was absolutely the right decision," McNair said of the Williams pick, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. "That was a very organized process."
Today's Texans, per McClain, continue to mull over Jadeveon Clowney and Johnny Manziel at No. 1, with Khalil Mack or Blake Bortles looming as possibilities if Houston trades down.
If they pick a passer, McNair hinted that new coach Bill O'Brien won't throw a rookie quarterback into the fire after what happened with Carr.
"I think the main thing I look back on is that we should have had a veteran quarterback in there," McNair said. "We should have let him start the season and let David learn what it takes to be an NFL quarterback."
With Ryan Fitzpatrick on the roster, the Texans can allow a young signal-caller to sit and watch for a spell. O'Brien also has Case Keenum and T.J. Yates at his disposal, but all of this sounds easier to navigate in April than it will be come September.
Trying to sell your fans on 16 weeks of Ryan Fitzpatrick while Johnny Football holds a clipboard won't be easy for this team to do.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" breaks down the draft with NFL Films' Greg Cosell.
