Texans Trade For Matt Schaub

The Houston Texans have acquired QB Matt Schaub from the Atlanta Falcons for a 2007 2nd round pick, a 2008 2nd round pick, and a swap of the #8 and #10 overall picks for 2007. See that door, David Carr? Don't let it sack you on the way out.

Houston immediately signed Schaub to a big extension, ensuring that he's the unquestioned starting QB. What remains to be seen is if Schaub is a legitimate starting QB like some NFL scouts seem to think he is, or if he's a victim of comparison to Michael Vick's shortcomings at the QB position. He's not being put into the best situation in that Houston's offensive line is still suspect, Ahman Green is a partially broken down 30 year old RB, and they have nothing to throw to opposite Andre Johnson. However, David Carr's mental state has to be questioned after being sacked so many times in his career, and one would think that Schaub will immediately bring a stronger pocket presence and decision making.

While this makes it even more important that Vick stays healthy and improves his throwing deficiencies this season, there wasn't any question that he's still the starting QB of the present and future for this franchise. Even if they had doubts, the economics of releasing him weren't kind given the cap hit they'd have to endure. Schaub would have been a free agent at the end of this season, and there's no question some team would have signed him to become their starter. That all said, Atlanta made out like a bandit here. They traded a QB who would only play if Vick got hurt, and turned him into 2 2nd round picks, 1 in each this year's draft and next year's draft, and also got to move up 2 spots in this year's first round as well. Given Petrino is changing this offense, it gives them additional firepower to upgrade. There's rumors that Atlanta could use the additional picks to move up farther in the 1st round and get Calvin Johnson, but I still don't think they have enough to move up, especially if Oakland wants to take him. There's a very strong chance that Atlanta drafts former Petrino RB Michael Bush in the 2nd round now, especially since he'll be a perfect fit into their new offensive scheme.

Fantasy Impact: Schaub is a first time starter in a less than average offense, so I wouldn't want him as a QB2. He's someone to keep an eye on, but that's it. Schaub should give the passing game a slight boost, but Ahman Green's value is more tied to his durability (or lack of) and the play of the offensive line, so I wouldn't adjust him anywhere at this point. Andre Johnson stands to benefit the most as Schaub has a fairly strong arm and one has to think Houston will take more shots down the field to utilize his insane speed/size combination. Look for more big plays from AJ this season, and he's a great WR2 with stronger WR1 upside now. There's nobody else in their receiving group that's even worth drafting at this point.