Rookie road map
If Deshaun Watson does take the Texans’ reins this year, he has a role model he can learn from in Dallas
Dak Prescott’s success is a guide for Texans rookie Deshaun Watson.
I’ve always been a Dak fan … Just being able to watch his success, how he’s been able to translate to the professional league and be so calm and poised and lead a great franchise like the Cowboys, is very humbling and builds confidence for all the younger guys, too.”
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isplaying uncommon poise and skill for a rookie quarterback, Dak Prescott led the Dallas Cowboys to an NFC East division title last season. Rough initiation to the NFL? Hardly. For Prescott, it was an extremely smooth transition from operating a spread offense at Mississippi State to blossoming as a rookie fourth-round draft pick in a high-profile situation as the permanent replacement for injured veteran Tony Romo.
Operating a pro-style offense behind a big offensive line, handing off frequently to star running back Ezekiel Elliott and throwing to Dez Bryant and Jason Witten, Prescott emerged as NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year as the Cowboys went 13-3 and made the playoffs.
How Prescott performed could be instructive to the Texans’ quarterback situation. Although they have installed Tom Savage as the starter, the clock is ticking for Deshaun Watson to ascend to the top spot.
Watson has been impressive in every aspect of his job since the Texans drafted him in the first round.
Unlike Prescott, who needed a back injury sustained by Romo to join the starting lineup, Watson could become a starter simply through superior performance.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien has praised Watson heavily, saying he’s one of the best rookies he’s ever been around. Savage also has a history of durability issues, including a concussion last season and shoulder and knee issues in the past.
There are some parallels between Watson and Prescott, with some NFL scouts saying Watson is actually the more gifted young quarterback.
A role model
How Prescott performed last season has been encouraging to Watson as he makes the transition to the NFL.
“I’ve always been a Dak fan,” Watson said. “Just being able to watch his success, how he’s been able to translate to the professional league and be so calm and poised and lead a great franchise like the Cowboys, is very humbling and builds confidence for all the younger guys, too.”
A national championship winner at Clemson who defeated Alabama with a touchdown pass with a second left, Watson was a consensus All-American and a Heisman Trophy finalist. Watson has always been a winner. He went 33-3 in three seasons at Clemson, throwing a touchdown pass on his sixth collegiate snap in a hostile environment at Georgia as he beat an aggressive blitz package. Growing up in Georgia, Watson went 48-8 at Gainesville High School and was a starter in the ninth grade.
“One thing that translates from college to the NFL is winners, and I think being a quarterback, that’s the biggest thing being recognized: winning games,” Watson said. “That’s all I’ve been doing.”
A Davey O’Brien and Manning Award winner, Watson finished his career with 9,201 passing yards and rushed for 1,744 yards and 21 scores.
Willing to wait
If he has to wait longer than Prescott did last year, Watson accepts that reality from coach Bill O’Brien.
“It’s best for the team,” Watson said. “Coach OB knows a lot of football. He’s been with one of the best in NFL history in Tom Brady. He knows when the perfect timing will be. Whenever he calls my name, I’ll make sure I’m prepared and go out and perform.”
Watson has put in a lot of work to learn the offense. He’s proved to be a quick study.
“He’s doing good,” O’Brien said. “For a rookie coming in here, he’s spent a lot of time. He’s studying hard. He has great questions. He has good answers to the questions when we kind of quiz them every morning. I’ve been impressed with all three guys (Watson, Savage and Brandon Weeden). It’s a good room, and he’s working hard.”
Watson’s college and high school coaches say he loves studying film. Gainesville coach Bruce Miller called Watson a “film hound” who “goes hunting for film. He’s an extremely fast learner.”
Watson relishes competition. He’s enjoying working against the NFL’s topranked defense every day.
“Everyone can run at this level,” Watson said. “Everyone is smart. Everyone watches film. Everyone is athletic. You have to approach the game differently. You can’t take a play off at this level. If you do, you will get smoked.”