Just before the draft started on Thursday evening, Tom Curran of CSN New England reported that a trade sending quarterback Ryan Mallett from New England to Houston could “soon be done” and several other reporters followed up with reports that a deal was possible.
The Texans didn’t pick up a quarterback before the end of the first round, but, for the moment, it doesn’t look like that’s a result of plans for a trade. Ed Werder of ESPN reported on air Friday that he’s been told that Mallett is “not available” in a trade.
These are the days to take things with a grain of salt and this report isn’t any different. Whether or not Mallett is available early Friday afternoon has little bearing on whether he’d be available later in the day if a team made an appealing offer to New England for his services.
The Texans could find themselves making just such an offer if they don’t wind up drafting a quarterback who can upgrade the Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum and T.J. Yates trio they currently have at the position. They’ll have the choice of any quarterback still on the board when the second round gets underway unless they find a willing trade partner.