NFL training camp: Best battle to watch for each team

Houston Texans: Tom Savage vs. Deshaun Watson

While the Denver Broncos quarterback competition between Paxton Lynch and Trevor Siemian will be something, the biggest one going on this training camp cycle will be the one between Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage and Deshaun Watson. Houston head coach Bill O’Brien may think the world of Savage, but Watson is a first-round pick that just led the Clemson Tigers to the national title.

Savage played three games for the Texans backing up Brock Osweiler last season. After Osweiler was benched against the division rival Jacksonville Jaguars, Savage stepped in and helped lead the Texans to the AFC South crown. He completed 63 percent of his passes for 461 yards. That’s it. His 6.3 yards per attempt last season is all you need to know about how Savage doesn’t look down field to throw the football.

Watson comes into camp with a great deal of praise and accolades from college. The problem is that he liked to throw interceptions in the ACC and who exactly is his NFL prototype? Some have likened Watson to Tennessee Titans starting quarterback Marcus Mariota, but can we consider Mariota a quarterbacking prototype after only two years in the NFL?

Unlike in Denver, this quarterback competition may not bring out the best in both players. Starting Savage Week 1 severely capsizes the Texans’ chances to three-peat in the division. Should Watson get the nod, don’t expect him to come in and be the next Dak Prescott. Houston’s offensive line isn’t in the same ballpark as what Prescott had to work with as a rookie in Dallas.