After moving up to select quarterback Deshaun Watson in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft, Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith said Wednesday that the rookie will have a chance to compete for the starting job for the upcoming season.During an interview on theStephen A. Smith Show(h/t ESPN.com's Sarah Barshop), Smith made it clear that there is a culture of competition within the organization, including at the quarterback position:"We want to provide a competitive environment across the board. So [Watson will] compete. [But] like I said, we feel good about Tom [Savage] and his abilities to manage the offense. But yeah, [Watson] will come in, and just like every other guy on the roster, he'll have time to play."To move up from No. 25 to No. 12 in order to take Watson, the Texans dealt their 2017 and 2018 first-round picks to the Cleveland Browns.Prior to selecting Watson, Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden were the only quarterback options on Houston's roster.Savage went 1-1 in two starts last season before getting injured and surrendering the starting job back to Brock Osweiler. The Texans traded Osweiler to the Browns this offseason.Per Barshop, Watson is ready to embrace whatever role he is asked to fulfill as a rookie:Learn from the veteran guys, play whatever role I have. But my main focus is getting here, learning about this city, learning about this organization, learning this system, and just being the best teammate I can be, whatever role that is. ... I know it's going to be a challenge, which is what I'm up for. But also, I have a lot to learn, so I'm anxious to get here and get to work and learn from [Weeden]and [Savage], two guys that I'm a huge fan of, who I watched when they were in college.Watson had a spectacular college career at Clemson that saw him become a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist and reach two National Championship Games, winning one.Last season, he threw for 4,593 yards, 41 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, while rushing for 629 yards and nine scores.The Texans have gone 9-7 in three straight seasons and won consecutive AFC South crowns.Houston had the NFL's No. 1 defense in 2016, and it has long been assumed that the biggest obstacle between the Texans and Super Bowl contention is a quality quarterback.
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