Fansided

NFL power rankings: Starting quarterbacks from best to worst

By John Buhler

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 24, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) warms up before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) warms up before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tom Savage

Quarterback, Houston Texans

The Houston Texans might really go with Tom Savage as their starting quarterback for 2017. Savage was the Texans fourth round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh. He has played sparingly since being drafted by the Texans, but Houston does seem to have an affinity for the kid.

Savage has played in five career games as the Texans quarterback, going 1-1 as a starter. Frankly, he essentially won the locker room over before 2016 training camp. However, the Brock Osweiler free agency gaffe thwarted the chances of him realistically being the starter in 2016.

In minimal action last fall, Savage completed 63.0 percent of his passes for 461 yards in three games with no touchdowns or interceptions to show for it. Houston had its limitations offensively, but the team seemed to like it more when Savage was under center. It was made only more clear when Houston dumped Osweiler to the Browns at the start of free agency this year.

While Savage is careful with the football and could primarily game-manage to still be an effective player for the Texans, they aren’t sniffing the Super Bowl with him as their starting quarterback. Can Houston three-peat in the AFC South with him under center in 2017? Sure, it’s not like the Texans have been competent at quarterback during their last two division title runs anyway.

Realistically if Savage can play within head coach Bill O’Brien’s system, the Texans can hover around .500 and contend for a playoff berth. However, his inability to see down the field will be problematic. Houston is almost better off served to draft another franchise quarterback or trade for one with somebody in-state.

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