June 8, 2026, 6:31 p.m. CT<\/p>\n
While Davis Mills likely isn’t a full-time starter in the NFL, there are worse options to call a backup to Houston Texans<\/a>‘ Pro Bowler C.J. Stroud<\/a> entering 2026.<\/p>\n Mills, the first pick of the Nick Caserio era, has filled in over the past three seasons. Last year, after Stroud suffered a concussion in Week 9, Mills took over for three games and was impressive, throwing for over 800 yards with five touchdowns and only one interception. He also scored the game-winning touchdown on an 18-yard scamper against the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a>.<\/p>\n But where does he rank among backups in the league? According to SI.com’s Gilbert Manzano<\/a>, Mills is right outside the top 10, coming in at No. 11.<\/p>\n “Mills is a quality game manager who stepped up last year to win three games while C.J. Stroud was sidelined with a concussion,” Manzano wrote. “Many forget that Mills was the starter in Houston before Stroud arrived as the No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft. It says plenty that the Texans<\/a> have made it a priority to keep him around, even after demoting him with Stroud\u2019s arrival.”<\/p>\n Few people would pick Mills over Stroud permanently, but it’s nice to know Houston has a quality secondary option just in case things go south with the former No. 2 overall pick in a contract year.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n