NFL Draft 2022 Rumors: Texans Eye Thibodeaux, Hutchinson If QB Davis Mills Plays Well

AP Photo/Justin Rex

The Houston Texans have an uncertain quarterback situation going forward, but that doesn't mean they will target the position early in the 2022 NFL draft.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Davis Mills will have a chance to prove himself as a long-term option over the final five games of the season. If he plays well, the Texans could look to draft defensive ends such as Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson or Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux early in the first round instead of a quarterback.

Deshaun Watson remains on the roster, but he has been the subject of trade talks since last offseason.

Mills, a third-round pick in 2021 out of Stanford, has been named the starter for the rest of the season for the 2-10 Texans over veteran Tyrod Taylor. The 23-year-old has seven touchdowns with eight interceptions and a 78.4 quarterback rating in eight appearances (six starts) this year.

Despite modest production to this point, the Texans think highly of Mills. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported in October the team liked him better than Tua Tagovailoa amid trade talks with the Miami Dolphins.

The upcoming draft is also seemingly not the best one to find a new franchise quarterback.

Bleacher Report's Scouting Department didn't list a single quarterback prospect among the top 20 overall players in its latest big board. Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder was considered the top player at the position at No. 22 overall.

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Thibodeaux and Hutchinson are considered top-five prospects and could each provide an immediate impact as elite pass-rushers. Though Houston's offense has gotten plenty of attention this year, the defense has struggled as well while ranking 30th in points allowed per game (26.9).

Pairing another young edge-rusher with Jonathan Greenard could give the team quality building blocks for the rebuild.