The Texans traded for Ryan Mallett yesterday, and given their uninspiring depth chart at quarterback, it's certainly possible he'll start some games for them. The team website takes a lengthy look at Mallett today, comparing his college numbers to those of the other top quarterbacks in this draft class.
In their view, the collegiate comparison is kind of a mixed bag. Note that Mallett came in well behind those other players in terms of completion percentage (all of them were over 66 percent; he was under 58 percent). Mallett didn't look particularly great in the preseason with the Patriots; 54 percent completions, with one good game (against Philadelphia) and an ugly outing against Washington.
No word yet from the Texans themselves, but here's the Houston Chronicle's assessment of the trade. A move for the future seems to be the thought, so Mallett won't necessarily be expected to start anytime soon.
That said, Ryan Fitzpatrick is a marginal, turnover-prone passer, and Houston could become an als0-ran behind Indianapolis in the AFC South fairly quickly. So maybe Mallett gets a shot before too long.
--Andy Richardson