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Houston Texans: Evaluating the 2017 offense by position with outlook

By T.A. Mock

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Bill O'Brien of the Houston Texans reacts against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Bill O'Brien of the Houston Texans reacts against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Quarterbacks

The Houston Texans endured some pretty atrocious play at the most important position on the field. Despite this, the quarterback position is one of the most solid position groups on the team.

Quarterbacks for 2018: Deshaun Watson, Taylor Heinicke

Free Agents: Tom Savage, T.J. Yates, Josh Johnson

Former general manager Rick Smith (thoughts and prayers to his family), made one of the best pairs moves of his career in the 2017 off season. He shipped Brock Osweiler to the Cleveland Browns, then proceeded to swap 1st-rounders with Browns mid draft. These moves netted the franchise Deshaun Watson. If Watson had not been injured against the Seattle Seahawks this season may as well have turned out very differently.

The Houston Texans seem to finally have their franchise quarterback after failed attempts with David Carr, Matt Schaub, and Osweiler. Now, granted, being a Houston sports fan all of my life I’m slightly pumping the brakes to see how well he recovers from his torn ACL. However, this video from J.J. Watt is encouraging on so many levels…

Watson did have his rookie moments, but overall he played like a veteran leading the Houston Texans to the highest points per game until he got hurt. He made pretty much any throw Bill O’Brien asked him to make. He extended plays with his legs, looked poised in the pocket, and even had some pretty spectacular runs.

Houston, we have a quarterback!

So with the starting position locked down for the foreseeable future, the position is a bright spot heading into 2018. However, in today’s NFL you always need a solid backup who can be ready to come in at any second. No offense to Heinicke, but I do not believe he is that guy.

We saw this year how much a sub par backup quarterback can completely decimate an offense. I am fully expecting the organization to either draft a guy in the later rounds. That, or attempt to snag a free agent to come in and fill that role.

2018 Outlook Grade: B     simply because Watson is coming off injury and he doesn’t even have half a season of experience. That and the backup spot is completely unsettled and needs to be resolved.

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