Lamar Jackson Rumors: Texans Held Private Workout with QB

The Houston Texans reportedly held a private workout with Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson on Wednesday ahead of the 2018 NFL draft.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network first reported Jackson's showcase for the Houston brass. Rapoport noted the Texans, whose first scheduled pick isn't until Round 3 at No. 68 overall, want "to be prepared for any and all scenarios on draft week," including a possible slide by Jackson.

The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner is coming off his second straight electric season. He completed 59.1 percent of his throws for 3,660 yards with 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 13 games. He added 1,601 rushing yards and 18 scores on the ground.

In all, the 21-year-old Florida native accounted for 119 touchdowns (69 passing and 50 rushing) across 38 appearances in three years at Louisville.

Jackson shot down speculation about potentially switching to wide receiver earlier this month at the NFL Scouting Combine: "No team has asked me to play wide receiver. I don't even know where it comes from. I'm strictly quarterback."

"That's crazy," Jackson told reporters in Indianapolis. "I thought I did a good job at quarterback. I thought I did. You know? But, hey, they say what they want to say. I'm here now. I'm happy to be here. Now I just have to show my ability."

The deep quarterback class makes it difficult to predict where he'll come off the board.

He's competing with Sam Darnold (USC), Josh Rosen (UCLA), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State) and Josh Allen (Wyoming) for draft position.

While it's hard to imagine a scenario where he'd still be available for the Texans at No. 68, perhaps if he slides into the second round the front office could consider trading up to get him.

Not only would he provide insurance behind Deshaun Watson, who was enjoying a terrific rookie season in 2017 before suffering a torn ACL in November, but quarterbacks also retain value. Houston could trade him in the future if Watson returns to form, similar to what the New England Patriots did with former Tom Brady backup Jimmy Garoppolo.