Who Will be Behind The Curtain for the Houston Texans?

Feb 21, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith speaks to the media in a press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The day is finally here. The NFL decided to push the 2014 NFL Draft back to May for some reason, mainly because they are the NFL and can do pretty much what they please. After extra weeks of poking, prodding, mocking and waiting, the time has almost come for the Houston Texans to turn in their card with the name of the number one pick. As of 4:15 PM CST, the question remains, who will that be, and will the Texans even be the first team to turn in its card in approximately three or so hours?

In the two previous rodeos that Houston held the top spot, it was already known the morning of the draft who they would take. Those picks were David Carr in 2002, and Mario Williams in 2006. Fast forward to 2014 and there is one common denominator that has been present in all three of these drafts. Each time, the Texans were being led by a new coaching staff, and that new regime’s reward was a top pick that would likely make or break their Houston tenure before they even coached a game.

Texans first year coach Bill O’Brien is sitting in that seat this time around, and there have been several rumors circulating about the option/decision that he and the Texans will choose to go with. Early indications were that Houston was actively shopping the top pick, but the latest word is that they have made their choice and will gladly stay at number one and pick him. Who that “him” is remains to be seen, but the consensus among football people is and has been that it will be Jadeveon Clowney going first overall.

O’Brien of course, is a known quarteback guru, and the latest word in the draft rumor matrix is that he is in favor of taking Johnny Manziel, after it was assumed all along that the quarterback he preferred was Blake Bortles. GM Rick Smith revealed to the media last week that he knows who he want to select, but did not reveal who that player was. However, word on the street hinted that the player that Mr. Smith was referring to was Khalil Mack.

More from Texans Draft Analysis

• NFL Draft: Grading the Houston Texans five picks for 2020
• NFL Draft: Houston Texans 2020 Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA) list
• NFL Draft: Houston Texans choose reclamation with Isaiah Coulter in 5th
• NFL Draft: Houston Texans 2020 campaign murdered by Bill O’Brien
• NFL Draft: Houston Texans questionably reach up to nab John Reid

With these rumors and names circulating through the scene at Radio City Music Hall, it is likely we will not know what the Texans will truly do until a little after 7:00pm CT sometime. Unlike the past two occurrences that Houston held the top pick, the uncertainty of what they will do makes for more intrigue and drama this time around.

Whoever they eventually choose tonight that walks out from behind the curtain, shakes Roger Goodell’s hand, and puts on that deep steel blue Texans hat, lets hope that they will play a vital role in helping the Texans to not “earn” the top pick for a long time. Three times in thirteen seasons is more than enough.

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