Houston Was 'Very' Close to Trading With Panthers For No. 1 Pick?

There has been no shortage of debate surrounding both what the Texans will do and what they should do with the second overall pick. From defense to quarterback and even trading down, the opportunities are seemingly endless for Houston. 

If not for a Week 18 32-31 win over the Indianapolis Colts, the Texans would find themselves in possession of the first overall pick. Instead, they sit at No. 2 and face a potentially draft-altering decision in what to do with their pick. 

However, while the Texans could've had the No. 1 pick had they lost to the Colts, they almost landed it once again this offseason. It was revealed on the Adam Schefter Podcast that prior to the Carolina Panthers trading with the Chicago Bears for the first pick, Houston was close to doing so.

“I remember that week, getting word that the Houston Texans were very close to completing a trade for the No. 1 overall pick,” Schefter said. “At one point in time, they were very close to getting that pick, I believe.”

With recent reports that the Panthers are locked in on Alabama's Bryce Young with their pick, the assumption by some analysts was that the Texans would then take Ohio State's C.J. Stroud with their pick. 

Despite that, though, it is looking more and more likely that the Texans will go defense - with Young's Alabama teammate outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr. a name they've been linked to frequently. 

While there is no guarantee that the Texans would have ultimately taken a quarterback at No. 1, it is hard to deny how much different their first round would look with the first pick. 

For now, though, they own the second overall pick and have a choice to make by the time the draft comes on Thursday. Whether that choice is using their pick or trading down the board, of course, is yet to be seen.

You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

Want the latest in breaking and insider news for the Houston Texans? Click Here

Follow Texans Daily on Twitter and Facebook

Make sure to subscribe to our daily podcast @LockedOnTexans today! Click here To Listen.

Want even more Houston Texans news? Check out the SI.com team page here.