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Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson only needs to be average for Texans to succeed

By Joe Fernandez

May 23, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks up during OTA practices at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks up during OTA practices at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Texans traded up in the 2017 NFL draft in yet another effort to find some stability at the most important position in football, quarterback. Deshaun Watson is coming off a national title with Clemson against the ever stout Alabama defense.

Watson could finally be the cure that has ailed the Houston Texans all these years. Now quarterbacks coming off national titles in college don’t necessarily translate to success. Vince Young had a lot of hype after his national title in the 2006 Rose Bowl, but never fully lived up to the absurd expectations that were put on him.

While expectations may be high for Watson, he only needs to be serviceable to give the Texans more of a chance to advance past the divisional round, a hurdle they have yet to accomplish in franchise history.

That said, Watson seems to be proving himself not just with his physical gifts, which are plentiful. He has also received rave reviews about the way he goes about his business. Here is what Bill O’Brien had to say about the young upstart and his daily preparation.

"He’s in here all the time. There is no questioning this kid’s work ethic. He’s in here on the weekends."

That is a positive sign. It’s not something we heard about someone else with a cannon for an arm and the prototypical quarterback body. I’m looking at you Ryan Mallett.

It is encouraging to see the signs of a mature quarterback and someone who has been tested on the national stage.  Another positive about Watson is that in his time at Clemson there seem to be no indiscretions, no complaints about character. Nothing that gives him a Ryan Mallett feel.

With the eventual retirement of Tom Brady in the near future, Watson could help make the Texans an AFC powerhouse for years to come.

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Quarterback is undeniably the most important position in the NFL. The Texans are strong on pretty much every other front, whether it be the stout defense of Jadeveon Clowney, Jonathan Joseph and the returning J.J. Watt. Or the outstanding receiving corps of DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller. Or Lamar Miller at the running back position.

The team has every chance to give Watson a chance to succeed, if not this year, then certainly in the near future. All the pieces are around him. And yet he doesn’t need to be anything more than a Trent Dilfer for the 2000 Baltimore Ravens or a Brad Johnson for the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Those two quarterbacks achieved super bowl victories by knowing they didn’t have to do anything spectacular. Just don’t turn the ball over. Make the smart play. Don’t force anything.

Neither of those two quarterbacks had the athleticism that Watson has. Watson has a chance to be a generational player with his skill set.  But the thing is, he seems to be smart enough to know he can let that come and just make the wise play. Something previous Texan quarterbacks haven’t been able to accomplish.

Next: Why Tom Savage will have a banner season

For the Texans to succeed with the core that is around Watson, they only need him to be average.  If Watson ends up being better than that of course that is ideal.  And while Tom Savage may be starting the year behind center, it would not be shocking to see Watson in the driver’s seat sooner rather than later. And all he has to do to help the team succeed, is be average.

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