Caserio: Texans 'open to listening' on No. 2 pick
The Houston Texans may be receptive to moving the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
"We're open to listening," general manager Nick Caserio said Monday during his pre-draft press conference, according to Fox Sports' Ben Arthur.
Houston is among several teams that could be in the market to select one of the top quarterback prospects. The Texans went 3-13-1 in 2022 and secured the second overall pick with a 32-31 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18, which ultimately gave the Chicago Bears the No. 1 selection. The Carolina Panthers now hold the top choice following a trade with the Bears in March.
Caserio didn't rule out the possibility that the Texans could opt against selecting a passer.
"Anything is possible," Caserio said when asked if there's a chance the Texans won't draft a quarterback.
Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis headline a quarterback class that has enamored evaluators throughout the draft process, and the Texans have hinted at selecting one of the young signal-callers.
"We have a really good, to a couple of good, quarterback prospects at the top of the draft, and we want to add a young quarterback to our team," head coach DeMeco Ryans said earlier in April, according to ESPN's DJ Bien-Amie.
Houston has been proactive in providing support for the quarterback position this offseason. The club signed tight end Dalton Schultz and receivers Robert Woods and Noah Brown, acquired Shaq Mason to bolster the offensive line, and rewarded Laremy Tunsil with a contract extension.
Caserio also dismissed rumors Monday that he planned to leave the Texans following the draft.
"I feel almost embarrassed that I have to say anything," he said. "Honestly, I feel like Leonardo DiCaprio in 'The Wolf of Wall Street.' No, I'm not leaving. There's never been any substantive discussions of the sort."
The 47-year-old Caserio has served as Texans general manager since 2021 after spending close to two decades with the New England Patriots.