Even with the major trade up to select Deshaun Watson to be the quarterback of the future in Houston, the quarterback of the here and now is Tom Savage. The veteran will get his chance to prove he belongs in the NFL.

Savage figures to enter the 2017 season as the starter. His play in the final three games of the regular season showed that he is ready to at least contend for the starting job and has the command of the O’Brien offense. O’Brien has a few benchmarks that he likes to see from his quarterbacks: 200 yards passing a game, 60 percent completions, and a 90 QB rating.

In parts of three games, Savage was 46-of-73 for 461 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions with an 80.9 rating and 63 percent completions. When watching those three games, it is evident that the playbook was opened up either due to Savage’s understanding of the offense or O’Brien’s confidence in what Savage can do.

As when he was coming out of school, the first thing that jumps off the film is the arm strength Savage possesses. Savage is a big strong quarterback that can handle taking hits in the pocket. In 2015, he was put on the injured reserve for a shoulder injury that didn’t require surgery and in 2016 he got a concussion that sidelined him for the final game.

With Coach O’Brien not wanting to throw the ball all over the field and play a controlled style offense reliant on the running game, it is imperative to have a quarterback with a big arm to stretch the field off of play action. Savage’s ability to fit the ball into tight windows on the sideline, when corners have to respect the downfield ability of wideouts DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, opens the offense and will keep the chains moving.

In the NFL, the QB will need to make throws to all parts of the field on 3rd down with more than five yards to go with a corner sitting on the quick hitch or a comeback. With past QBs, the Texans have had to become creative to get these yards with screens, rubs, or draw plays. With Savage’s arm, they can push the corner past the sticks and get a catchable ball and first down.

Savage does become too reliant on his arm and will get caught staring down receivers and forcing into tight coverage. He is still inexperienced when it comes to game speed and will be fooled when seeing a zone blitz or combo coverage.

When watching the three games that Savage appeared in last year, the offense seemed to pick up steam and play with more pep in their step. Savage’s ability to push the ball down the field is needed with Fuller as their number two receiver and Hopkins being tough to defend on the perimeter. The threat of pushing the ball down the field will open up the running lanes for Miller and newly drafted Foreman.

Coach O’Brien is in Savage’s corner and from a recent interview with John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, it appears the job is Savage’s barring an injury or a complete meltdown.

Watch every throw that Tom Savage made against Jacksonville right here on the team’s website.