The Houston Texans broke the bank to trade up for Deshaun Watson in this year's draft, so it's likely a matter of when, not if, the rookie quarterback will earn the starting job in 2017 - especially with only journeyman Tom Savage in his way.
However, Bill O'Brien's offense is notoriously difficult to master - Watson is no lock to be under center in Week 1. The former Clemson standout says he'll know he's ready when the head coach calls his number.
"Honestly, whenever Coach (O'Brien) and the coaches feel like I'm ready to go (I'll be ready)," Watson told NFL Network's Alex Flanagan on Tuesday, according to Conor Orr of NFL.com. "The team feels like they can operate with me behind the wheel and being the quarterback. It's gonna take time, it's gonna be a process, really no rush. Just kinda taking it one day at a time, and whenever that time comes, I'll be ready."
The Texans are ready to win now, boasting one of the league's most dominant defenses along with strong offensive weapons in DeAndre Hopkins and Lamar Miller.
Throwing a rookie quarterback into the mix is a risk, but Watson's arguably the most pro-ready quarterback in the 2017 class, and Houston is built in a way that can protect a rookie pivot.
