2014 NFL Draft Rumors: Jadeveon Clowney No Certainty for Texans at First Pick

Nov 5, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Bulls linebacker Khalil Mack (46) during the game against the Ohio Bobcats at University of Buffalo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

As we get closer to the draft, the smokescreens are going to be hot and heavy, but there are some people you have to trust in the media not to spread lies. Such people would be guys like Adam Schefter, Peter King, and Ian Rapoport.

What do all three of these guys have in common? Well, outside of being some of the most trusted and well-known football reporters in the world, they are all letting us know that there is no certainty of the Houston Texans taking South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney with the number one overall pick in this week’s draft.

The Texans have long been connected with Clowney because of the fact that most people believe him to be the best player in the draft. However, if some team wanted to trade up with Houston, they’ve made it known they are willing partners in such a deal.

For Houston, an idea situation would be to trade down, potentially with a team like the Jaguars or Atlanta Falcons, and still get the guy they covet in the first round. If the Texans can pull off a trade, it will most certainly be with a team that wants to add Clowney to their roster, but again, nothing is certain.

With Rapoport jumping on this, it is backed up by Adam Schefter’s claim last Friday that the Texans may prefer Khalil Mack as a scheme fit in their defense over Clowney:

“I do not believe Khalil Mack can be dismissed from the conversation at the No. 1 pick,” Schefter said.

If this is the case, until proven otherwise, it looks like the Texans could once again shock people at the top of the draft and take Khalil Mack over Jadeveon Clowney if they are unable to move down a couple of picks.