The Houston Texans won the AFC South division with a 9-7 record this past season but were shut out in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, as their offense struggled to produce anything against the Kansas City Chiefs' defense.
Quarterback Brian Hoyer's performance was the worst of any starting quarterback in a postseason game, according to Pro Football Focus. Hoyer threw four interceptions and lost a fumble in the loss, and that has only solidified the Texans' need for a quarterback this offseason.
Texans owner Bob McNair has stated that the team is in need of a franchise quarterback and hopes to acquire one through the 2016 NFL Draft, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. "We need to have a reliable playere at quarterback," said McNair, via the Houston Chronicle. "We don't need a superstar there, but it needs to be a reliable player that won't take anything away from us."
Two potential targets are North Dakota State's Carson Wentz and Memphis' Paxton Lynch. The Texans have already met with Wentz at the Senior Bowl and have also made inquiries regarding Lynch, according to Wilson. Both quarterbacks are projected to be first round selections, and it's unknown if either will still be on the board by the time the Texans select at 22.
ESPN's Mel Kiper projected Wentz to fall to the Texans in the draft, but that was before he impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl. "There are a number of quarterbacks out there, college quarterbacks coming out and I think we have a good chance at getting one of them," said McNair, via the Houston Chronicle. "There are four or five of them who look like that have enough talent and size and athletic ability. I don't know any reason why we wouldn't be able to do it."
The Texans seem certain to stay put at the 22nd pick in the draft, as they are likely hopeful that at least one of the quarterbacks on the draft board will be available when it's their turn to select. Some have projected the Texans to try and grab Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott, but it will likely depend on what's on the board when the Texans are on the clock. The Texans have not released any information as to which quarterbacks they could be leaning toward, but Michigan State's Connor Cook and Penn State's Christian Hackenberg will likely be two prospects the Texans will heavily scout.
Hackenberg played his freshman season with the Nittany Lions under now-Texans head coach Bill O'Brien, and Cook is considered a first round talent that could still be on the board by the time Houston selects. The Texans have arguably one of the best rosters in the NFL in terms of talent but are looking for the most important piece of their puzzle as they search for a franchise quarterback.
