The Texans have three veteran quarterbacks in Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum and T.J. Yates, but they are still widely expected to select one in the draft first overall.

Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater are the highest-rated quarterbacks.

“We’re going to bring some of these guys to Houston to spend a day with them,” O’Brien said about the quarterbacks and other prospects to be the top pick. “There are other quarterbacks in the draft.

“Being a quarterback coach, it’s important to note there are a lot of quarterbacks who are winners and have played well. My opinion is that I see strengths and weaknesses with every one of these guys. I don’t see one, two or three guys who are light years ahead of the rest.”

The Texans are unlikely to start a rookie at quarterback in Week 1.

“It’s very difficult to play a quarterback right away,” O’Brien said. “Expecting a rookie to go in and play right away against, say, a Rex Ryan (New York Jets) defense, is very, very difficult. At the same time, you better be ready to do it because you never know what’s going to happen.

“What we’re trying to do is to set up a very competitive roster at every position. Through the spring and into camp – at every position – we want a very competitive roster. Let these guys win their positions on the field. If a guy’s got to play as a rookie, then that’s what we’ll do.”

Ryan Fitzpatrick has signed a two-year deal with the Houston Texans.

Fitzpatrick is a former starter with the Buffalo Bills and has thrown for 16,790 yards, 106 touchdowns and 93 interceptions in 85 career games.

Fitzpatrick spent last season as Jake Locker's backup and replacement with the Tennessee Titans when he was injured, starting nine games.

The Oakland Raiders have agreed to a trade for Matt Schaub with the Houston Texans.

Schaub has a $14.5 million salary-cap figure and a $10 million base salary for 2014.

The Raiders will send a late-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft to the Texans.

The Texans signed Ryan Fitzpatrick on Thursday.

The Houston Texans have released Owen Daniels, who had been with the team at tight end since 2006.

Daniels was scheduled to make $4.5 million in 2014.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders are the leading candidates to sign Michael Vick.

The Minnesota Vikings are considered a longshot to sign Vick despite lobbying from Adrian Peterson.

The Houston Texans have legitimate interest in Matt Cassel in free agency.

Bill O'Brien was an assistant coach with the New England Patriots during Cassel's final two seasons with the team.

Interest in signing a quarterback in free agency could indicate that the Texans would rather not use the first overall pick on the position.

The Houston Texans have about $10 million in cap space and don't figure to be too active in free agency.

The Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars figure to have $41 million and more than $50 million in cap space.

The Texans own the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.