Throwing 19 touchdown passes in seven contests, and guiding an offense to 30-plus points per game in the month of October were clear benefits of having Deshaun Watson at quarterback.
But according to Mike Devlin, Watson also did something that wasn't quite as obvious.
"Deshaun Watson made us a much better offensive line for those six to eight weeks," the offensive line coach said.
The struggles from 2017 led to a handful of new faces in the o-line room during the 2018 offseason. Free agents like Zach Fulton, Senio Kelemete and Seantrel Henderson joined the squad, along with third round selection Martinas Rankin.
Watson was dropped for a sack 19 times in his six games played. The trio of Tom Savage, T.J. Yates and Taylor Heinicke went down 35 times in 11 games. In three wins, however, Watson was only sacked a combined five times.
"His escapability, his effect on the defense can slow guys down a little bit," Devlin explained. "The things you can do with him can help you get an advantage at some point."
Head coach Bill O'Brien said the Texans will do some things differently on offense in 2018 as opposed to last season. Having Watson in tow and having what the organization believes is improved personnel up front blocking for him should allow the offensive line to be better this season.
The Texans begin training camp at The Greenbrier in West Virginia on July 26.
