The NFL can be simplified into an easily understood economic concept: the haves and the have-nots. In football, you either have a franchise quarterback or you don't. Those that do are in a much better position to compete for the playoffs while those that don't will struggle to build a winning team.
As of right now, the Houston Texans are a have-not type of team. Brian Hoyer can be solid for stretches, Ryan Mallett provides good depth and Tom Savage is an interesting young arm. But none of them provide the security and consistent play of a true blue franchise quarterback. That's why the Texans will be keeping tabs on the QB prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft and that is why Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com projects them to select Ohio State signal-caller Cardale Jones with the No. 24 pick.
"The Texans will see if a long-term starter emerges this season, but they could easily be in the quarterback market next year," Campbell wrote. "Bill O'Brien wants a big-armed pocket passer, and Jones certainly fits that criteria.
"Jones put on a display in 2014 after entering the starting lineup behind Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Jones has great size and a cannon for an arm. In his three starts, he completed 61 percent of his passes for 860 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Jones has a ton of upside, and it will be fun to watch him in 2015, assuming he wins the starting job over J.T. Barrett."
Projecting draft slots this far in advance is rarely an accurate exercise. Assuming Jones wins the starting job wind up just as inexact. But there's no denying Jones' high ceiling and if he does start the majority of games for the Buckeyes this year, it's hard to see him falling out of the first-round. If that's the case, O'Brien will likely be plenty interested.
