Houston Texans rumors: Matt Cassel drawing interest, Jadeveon Clowney now leader to be No. 1 pick in NFL Draft? [VIDEO]

The Houston Texans are under the microscope this offseason after dropping 14 straight games in 2013 and struggling for an answer at the quarterback position. Texas A&M star Johnny Manziel is the projected pick for Houston by ESPN prognosticator Mel Kiper Jr., but conflicting reports are saying Matt Cassel may be their guy.

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NFL analyst Ian Rappaport tweeted the following, "When Matt Cassel opted out of his deal with #Vikings, it made him a FA. The interest from his Pats connection Bill O'Brien & #Texans is real," meaning they may think that Cassel can run the show. If they truly believe in Cassel, that could open the door for the Texans to draft South Carolina defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney.

When Matt Cassel opted out of his deal with #Vikings, it made him a FA. The interest from his Pats connection Bill O’Brien & #Texans is real

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2014

Clowney was the star of the NFL Combine, wowing scouts and executives with a phenomenal 4.53 40-yard dash, faster than many running backs and wide receivers, and also speedier than Manziel.

In 2012 Clowney set the football world ablaze with 13 sacks and a whopping 23.5 tackles for loss, including the legendary hit on Michigan running back Vincent Smith that caused his helmet to fly straight up into the air and ended with Clowney slamming an enormous paw on the fumble he forced. At six feet, five inches and 266 lbs., he also had a wingspan measured at 83 inches.

Clowney's production dipped last season, leading some to question his heart and dedication to the game, while others posited he was simply protecting his NFL future. Pairing him with former Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt would create a ferocious defensive front, but they might need Manziel's playmaking more.

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Last season Manziel threw for 4,114 yards and 37 touchdowns while rushing for 759 yards and nine more scores. The previous year Manziel became the first freshman to ever win the Heisman Trophy after throwing for 3,706 yards and 26 scores while blasting past the 1,000-yard rushing mark and running for 21 TDs.