Houston’s offensive philosophy last season seemed to be “hurry up and punt.” Perhaps this is defensible when Brock Osweiler is your quarterback and six-time All Pro Shane Lechler is your punter, but it is definitely not a recipe that leads to significant point totals.

The Texans ranked sixth in the league last year in plays per game (67.0), but just 27th in third-down conversions (35.6 percent) and 28th in scoring (17.4 PPG). Houston had the NFL’s eighth most productive run game in terms of yardage (116.2 YPG), but the team somehow finished next-to-last in rushing touchdowns (8). Osweiler, of course, was a plague. He threw more interceptions (16) than TD passes (15), he completed less than 60.0 percent of his throws and he averaged an abysmal 5.8 yards per attempt. This team was unwatchable when it possessed the football. Looking back, maybe it wasn’t the best idea to install new players at QB, running back, receiver and two spots on the offensive line.

Houston’s defense, however, was quite good, even with J.J. Watt sidelined for most of the season. This D allowed the fewest total yards per game (301.3) and just 6.6 yards per pass attempt. So despite finishing the year with a negative point differential (-49), the Texans still managed to win a weak division with a 9-7 record.

Osweiler is now Cleveland’s burden, Watt is back to full health and Deshaun Watson is being developed as the team’s QB of the future. Things are looking up for Bill O’Brien’s squad, a group that offers plenty of useful fantasy pieces. If the quality of play at quarterback is even league-average, Houston has a chance to be seriously fun.

When will Deshaun Watson take the controls?

Watson’s first two preseason games haven’t been a total clinic, as he’s completed just 18 of 35 attempts for 281 yards. He hasn’t yet thrown a touchdown pass, but he also hasn’t thrown a pick. He’s rushed seven times for 34 yards, crossing the goal-line in each game. Watson doesn’t have a weapons-grade Mahomes-style arm, as you probably know, and he’s sailed a few throws during exhibition play. You can watch all of his attempts from the preseason opener right here.

We shouldn’t need to tell you that Watson was a transcendent collegiate player, however, gifted with tangibles and intangibles. He’s a mobile quarterback with a quick processor, excellent on bootlegs, clearly capable of making every bread-and-butter NFL throw. Watson completed 67.4 percent of his passes at Clemson and averaged 8.4 Y/A. Over the past two years, he threw for 76 touchdowns and ran for another 21. On the biggest stage and in the biggest moments, facing opposing defenses loaded with five-star players, Watson was consistently brilliant. His numbers against Alabama in the past two championship games were just silly: 825 passing yards, 7 pass TDs, INT, 116 rushing yards, TD. Doubt him at your own peril.

Houston traded up to snag Watson with the draft’s twelfth overall pick, and O’Brien hasn’t been guarded in his praise. Watson is gonna play in 2017 — if not in the opener, then soon. Tom Savage is ahead of him on the depth chart and having a fair preseason, but he’s also not a guy who should quarterback a team expecting to play deep into January. Savage doesn’t possess a defining high-level skill, and his next regular season TD pass will be his first. Houston’s September schedule is a minefield (Jac, at Cin, at NE), so it’s not difficult to imagine an October takeover for Watson. He isn’t likely to make a serious fantasy splash as a rookie, although his rushing ability should provide a weekly safety net. And this guy will help, too…

View photos DeAndre Hopkins , still a fantasy asset. Let’s try to forget the Osweiler era. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) More

DeAndre Hopkins is an obvious bounce-back candidate.