Tom Savage

Savage entered 2017 as the Texans' Week 1 starter at quarterback but quickly lost the job to rookie sensation Deshaun Watson. With just five career touchdowns compared to seven interceptions, the fifth-year pro signed with the Saints this offseason and is expected to back up future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees.

Savage heads into Week 1 as the Texans' starting quarterback, but he'll be looking over his shoulder at rookie Deshaun Watson, the team's first-round pick (12th overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft. Savage steps into a good situation with a productive running back and game-changing defense. Will he be able to generate more offense than he did during his brief opportunity last season? In two-plus starts, Savage led the Texans on just two touchdown drives in 2016. Given that he's thrown 92 passes during his NFL career, there's still a learning curve for the fourth-year pro out of Pitt who won't be asked to be much more than a game manager. Success will mean limiting mistakes.

Savage enters his third NFL season after missing all of 2015 with a shoulder injury. When he was drafted in 2014 (fourth round), Savage was viewed as a developmental project that could become the team's number one at some point, but he's had little game experience since. Now, with Brock Osweiler signed to a lucrative four-year deal in the offseason, the Pitt grad is looking to elevate to the team's backup, competing with Brandon Weeden. The Texans harbor postseason aspirations in 2016 and will want an experienced hand backing up Osweiler -- even if that hand is attached to the arm of Weeden, whose career TD-to-interception ratio is 31:30 -- so Savage is likely looking at a third-string role.

In lien to work as the Texans' No, 3 QB when he returns from a shoulder injury.

The Texans selected Savage in the 4th round of the draft, but just barely before the 5th round at 135th overall. He's not an overly impressive quarterback prospect, as his arm strength is his only constant. Questionable reads, inconsistent accuracy and poor pocket presence made Savage the underdog in the competition with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Case Keenum. Keenum was eventually released when the Texans added Ryan Mallett via trade from New England. Mallett is the presumed backup to Fitzpatrick while the team grooms Savage as the future at the position.