Unless you have a solidified and proven franchise quarterback in the NFL, you're interested in Lamar Jackson's availability. At the very least, you're obligated to ask around and try something. Period. 

As such, I expect the Houston Texans to be involved in the conversation about one of the best young quarterbacks in the entire league.

In a recent article, I laid out what it would take for the Texans to land Lamar. In just a few words, it'd take a massive guaranteed deal that forces the Baltimore Ravens to not match it, On top of it, they'd have to give up two first-round picks.

But the NFL recently provided some much-needed clarity on the topic. Let's dive into two of the biggest questions surrounding the conversation.

Which first-round selections would the Texans have to give up?

The Texans have four first-round picks over the next couple of years. So naturally, this is a big part of the conversation. Especially because Houston owns the second overall selection this year.

According to the NFL, the team that puts together an offer sheet for a player under the non-exclusive franchise tag must offer its original draft pick or better. If a team doesn't own its original pick (or a better one) they're not even eligible to make an offer.

Some clarity from NFL on question earlier about franchise tag offer sheet and compensation with a lesser first-round pick: it must be offering team’s original pick or better. pic.twitter.com/mEwiqxCUph

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 8, 2023

Hypothetically, if the Texans landed Jackson via an offer sheet unmatched by the Ravens, they'd give up this year's No. 2 overall pick and next year's first-rounder.

Can the Texans talk to Lamar Jackson right now? 

Short answer: No.

Although the quarterback will be able to negotiate with any team in the NFL, it's still not "legal" to do so. Per the league, that'll be until March 15th (next Wednesday).

The NFL reminded clubs in a memo Wednesday that next week's two-day negotiating period applies only to unrestricted free agents.

So for the six franchise-tagged players — including Lamar Jackson — no contact is allowed with other clubs until next Wednesday, March 15.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2023

Unrestricted free agents can enter negotiations with other teams two days before that. But since he's been franchise-tagged, Jackson doesn't meet that criterion.

We'll see if all these teams that are "reportedly not interested" in Jackson change their tone when it's allowed to talk to the quarterback, who represents himself.

Buckle up, it's going to be a fun week.