The Houston Texans hold the best card in the 2014 NFL Draft with the No. 1 overall pick, but according to NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt, the club just might want to play a different hand.
As in, trading down with a team with a bad case of Jadeveon Clowney Fever.
Brandt conducted a Q&A with fans on his Twitter feed Tuesday, and had this to say about the possibility:
The trade Brandt is referencing, of course, happened on the first day of the 2004 NFL draft, when the Chargers selected Eli Manning first overall. They then shipped him to the Giants in exchange for Philip Rivers, picked at No. 4 by the Giants, and a 2004 third-round pick and 2005 first- and third-round picks. Manning had famously declared that he did not want to play for the Chargers.
Given Houston's need at the quarterback position, a trade down could give the club one of the draft's top quarterbacks later in the first round, plus additional picks to strengthen a roster that could also use help at the linebacker and right tackle positions. Who could be most interested? The Atlanta Falcons, for one, are bringing Clowney in for a visit Wednesday, and general manager Thomas Dimitroff spoke of a willingness to trade up at the NFL Scouting Combine.
A few other notables from Brandt's Q&A:
Mosley's worst-case scenario
If C.J. Mosley doesn't get snapped up sooner than the Green Bay Packers' choice at No. 21 overall, Brandt sees the 2013 Butkus Award winner headed to Lambeau Field.
Mosley's tireless work ethic would play well with Packers fans, has exceptional football intelligence, and is outstanding in pass coverage. Green Bay would have a hard time finding a player more ready to contribute immediately that late in the first round.
Murray a "Brees clone"
Count Brandt among those who view Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray as a potential draft-day steal.
That's high praise for any quarterback, but Murray's similarities to the New Orleans Saints veteran are undeniable. Both are on the small side, but both can move around and outside the pocket without necessarily being much of a running threat.
Barr tough to peg
There's a long way between the No. 6 overall pick in the draft and the No. 16 choice -- even longer if you're the one expecting the phone call. But that's the position UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr might find himself in.
Turning to 2015
The potential crop of quarterbacks for the 2015 draft begins with Oregon's Marcus Mariota, according to Brandt. Potential is a key word there, of course, because Mariota still has two years of college eligibility remaining. Still, coming out after his sophomore year was a consideration for Mariota, so it wouldn't be surprising if he made the jump after this season. After Mariota, Brandt likes Jameis Winston of Florida State, Baylor's Bryce Petty and UCLA's Brett Hundley.
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