For months, the assumption has been that the Houston Texans will take a quarterback in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. They hold the second overall pick in a year in which at least four quarterbacks are projected to be drafted in the Top 10. 

And on top of that, Houston has the ammunition to trade up to No. 1 and get their guy. 

But still, some around the league aren't completely sold on the Texans getting their QB just yet. 

While some fans would probably hate to go through another year without a newfound "future franchise quarterback," what if the team's front office isn't sold on any of the top QB prospects? 

After all, it's been noted time and time again that not one of these guys is perfect, not even top prospect Bryce Young.

Could the Texans then opt to target a quarterback in free agency and instead take two of the best defensive players on the board at No. 2 and No. 12 to give their quarterback a better situation? 

Jeff Howe from The Athletic can think of another reason to not target a QB with the No. 2 pick: Jimmy Garoppolo.

"First, Garoppolo is familiar with general manager Nick Caserio and new head coach DeMeco Ryans," writes Howe in a recent article that lists Jimmy G as a winner out of the franchise tag deadline. "And second, if the Texans don’t need to draft a quarterback, they’d hold a lot of power with picks No. 2 and 12 next month."

It's true. The Texans would hold the power to trade down and focus on strengthening the roster across the board.

It's the classic NFL team-building conundrum. You need a quarterback. Period. But that quarterback also needs the right circumstance around him. Especially if it's a rookie with significant question marks like the ones available in this year's NFL Draft.

Garoppolo, a battle-tested quarterback that has successfully operated Kyle Shanahan's scheme when healthy, could provide a floor for the Texans offense.

It's worth noting that he'd be reuniting with OC Bobby Slowik, who previously worked with Garoppolo as part of the San Francisco 49ers staff. Most recently, Slowik was the passing game coordinator for Shanahan.

For the Texans, the downside of this strategy would be waiting until next year to get a legit long-term answer at the position. 

"(Texans would) potentially still be in position for USC quarterback Caleb Williams in the 2024 draft," concludes Howe in the article.

And while that certainly would play a role in the Texans' decision-making, it's fair to say that Williams is likely going No. 1 next year. 

Does Houston want to pass on this year's quarterbacks for the sake of keeping Caleb Williams' hopes alive? 

I wouldn't bet on it.  

While I'd still expect the Texans to pick a QB in the first round, we have to admit that as anticlimactic as it would be, the team must at least look at Jimmy Garoppolo as a viable alternate offseason strategy.