Rotoworld Ranks The NFL’S Quarterback Situations

Patrick Daugherty of Rotoworld wrote the perfect offseason post. In it he ranks the best quarterback situations entering 2017. It’s something quick and easy in a barren football content landscape. Unsurprisingly, he had the Texans ranked toward the bottom of the league at 25th. The write-up:

The Texans could have had Tony Romo. Instead, they’re casting their lot with a rookie quarterback who throws 45 miles per hour. For comparison, none of last year’s first-year starters threw below 54. Deshaun Watson was a legitimate superstar at Clemson, guiding his team to a 32-3 record and two national title game appearances. He was a playmaker and top-shelf athlete. Michael Jordan, in the words of his coach. There’s a chance he’s more Crying Jordan than Michael Jordan for the Texans. In addition to his stunningly weak arm, Watson struggled with ball location in the ACC. He was a one-read quarterback, one often uncomfortable in the pocket. Watson could end up more than the sum of his quarterbacking parts. That’s a hope, not a plan. A quarterback shy of legitimate contention, the Texans forced the issue. Out their first-and second-round picks in 2018, they better hope it works.

It’s hard to disagree with his ranking of Houston. They should be above Jacksonville, but they shouldn’t be below Buffalo. This is not something to go to war over. However, it’s easy to disagree with the analysis.

The Texans could have had Tony Romo--I guess. No one really knows how much of an effort they put in trying to acquire him, or the where his heart palpitates. Deshaun Watson doesn’t have a great arm. That’s a fair criticism. But his arm isn’t “stunningly weak”. He was able to sling it when he put all of his body into the throw and he can make some pretty throws down the sideline. He didn’t struggle with ball location. He wasn’t uncomfortable in the pocket. Although Watson didn’t scan the entire field to make throws, he didn’t have to. Clemson did a great job running an offense that focused on pre-snap reads that Watson usually made correctly, creating easy throws. This is not something that should hinder him moving forward.

Daugherty is right again at the end. Houston not having their first two picks next year is an incredible problem, even if they still make the playoffs. The Texans will have to lean on free agency to upgrade their roster next year.

Until we see Watson play, this is around where Houston should be. Hopefully the hope works out and Deshaun Watson becomes a legitimate starting quarterback, the first in Houston since 2012.