Could the Texans repeat 2006 draft shocker by not taking a QB?

It would be a surprising — though not unprecedented — move for the franchise.

At the end of the 2005 regular season, the Texans competed in "The Bush Bowl" when they faced the 49ers for what many thought was a chance to draft Heisman Trophy-winning USC running back Reggie Bush first overall.

As Ira Berkow put it for the New York Times in September 2006, "It was a consensus opinion at the time that the pick would be Reggie Bush ... The Texans lost [to the 49ers], 20-17, [and] their fans rejoiced."

But Houston selected defensive end Mario Williams first overall — a move that didn't backfire but also didn't lead to great success. With the second pick, the Saints drafted Bush.

Per Pro Football Reference, Bush — who finished his first season with 1,523 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns — had a higher Approximate Value as a rookie than Williams. But Williams played well, too, registering 47 tackles, seven QB hits and 4.5 sacks. 

Both players finished fifth in the Associated Press Rookie of the Year voting on their respective sides of the football and played 11 seasons in the NFL. Bush played five seasons in New Orleans, making the playoffs twice and winning one Super Bowl. Williams played six seasons in Houston and left following his only postseason appearance with the organization in 2011.

Still, hindsight shows the Texans didn't make an egregious move by picking Williams over Bush. That rookie season was Bush's only one in New Orleans with at least 1,000 scrimmage yards. Williams averaged 9.7 sacks during his last five seasons in Houston.

A case could be made for Houston to make a similarly bold move in bucking conventional wisdom this year. Many expect the Texans to select Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud or Alabama QB Bryce Young at No. 2, but big boards from The Ringer and The Athletic have edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. of Alabama as a top-two prospect in this year's class.

Houston could draft Anderson to help improve its 30th-ranked defense while using its draft capital acquired in the Deshaun Watson trade to go after a QB.

If, for example, the organization ends up placing a similar grade on QBs Stroud and Hendon Hooker, it could select Anderson Jr. at second and then take Hooker at No. 12. His stock supposedly has risen recently, but it would be surprising if he were off the board when Houston makes its second first-round selection at No. 12.

The draft begins April 27, so we're getting mercilessly close to ending all of this speculation. Could Houston pull a surprise? We can't wait to find out.