Deshaun Watson officially requested a trade from the Houston Texans after weeks of speculation about his future, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter The 25- year-old quarterback is coming off his strongest season yet statistically playing behind an offensive line that gave up 50 sacks, doing not have a No. 1 wide receiver, and continuous issues with the front workplace about the direction of the franchise.
It will likely be the biggest trade because the Saints traded their entire 1999 draft, as well as their first and 2nd round picks in 2000 to choose Ricky Williams.
Trading for Watson is something a lot of groups will have an interest in, however lots of may be frozen out. Watson’s contract has a no trade clause, implying he can pick which team he ‘d have an interest in betting. That said, nearly any scenario is much better than Houston at this moment– which makes the prospect easier. So let’s dive in and see who might actually put a package together for the QB.
Miami Dolphins
The package: QB Tua Tagovailoa, 2021 first round pick (3rd general), 2021 1st round choice (18 th overall), 2021 2nd round pick (50 th general).
This could be the very best possible bundle for both groups. Houston gets instant assistance from the trade, recouping the No. 3 pick (which they traded to Miami), along with landing a high-upside quarterback.
Miami, on the other hand, proved this season the group is a lot closer to contending than individuals provided credit for. The young group doesn’t have a large variety of glaring requirements, so getting a better passer could be the difference here. In addition, providing possessions they’ve already gotten indicates the Dolphins wont need to offer the farm to get Watson.
It’s unclear if Miami is a destination that would be appropriate, but this could be a fascinating circumstance.
New York City Jets
2021 1st round choice (second total), 2021 2nd round choice (34 th overall), 2022 1st round pick, 2023 first round pick.
I know there’s been trade speculation from fans that the Jets might consist of Sam Darnold in an offer here, but I think if Houston parts methods with Watson they’ll want more future assets, not a gamble on a quarterback who hasn’t revealed a lot up until now.
The No. 2 total choice would offer Houston their pick of quarterbacks not called Trevor Lawrence. It would likewise be a future bet against the Jets, thinking the impressive No. 1 choices would be significantly higher than any other group.
The huge question here is whether the Jets would be a place appropriate to Watson. There’s a lot of work to be done on the lineup, and losing a future of bunch picks could only make that worse.
New England Patriots
2021 first round pick (15 th overall), 2021 second round pick (47 th general), 2022 first round pick, 2022 2nd round choice, 2023 1st round pick.
I’m including another second to essentially what’s the Jets provide to represent New England picking later on. This might be a package the Texans would be interested in, however there are a couple of reasons this may not work.
To Start With, it’s an exceedingly un-Bill Belichick like relocate to distribute assets. This is a team that thinks in its process, does not take big threats, and would rather discover gems in the draft than trade for a diamond.
There’s no doubt that Watson would make the Patriots better, which he would thrive in New England– however it just may not work. Belichick’s group is in the middle of retooling, do not have a ton of desirable possessions, and that could be enough to kill the idea.
Atlanta Falcons
QB Matt Ryan, 2021 first round pick (4th overall), 2021 2nd round pick (36 th total), 2022 first round choice, 2022 2nd round pick.
The one thing the Texans do not have is strong veteran leadership at quarterback, need to they trade Watson– and Josh McCown jumps into coach, as some expect. Getting the No. 4 pick would probably allow Houston to get their QB of the future, while taking the pressure off a novice to play immediately and regain some fan confidence with Ryan at the helm.
The Falcons seem all set to proceed and retool. There’s not a lot this group requires, and while Ryan is far from the greatest concern, getting Watson would basically revamp the group immediately and prepare them for the future, without requiring to gamble on the draft.
Carolina Panthers
QB Teddy Bridgewater, 2021 first round choice (8th overall), 2021 second round pick (40 th total), 2022 1st round choice, 2022 2nd round choice, 2023 first round pick.
In this scenario the Panthers need to quit A LOT, and it’s basically since they’re over a barrel. Carolina’s cap circumstance isn’t dreadful, however they don’t have the space right now to make a deal. Comparable to Ryan, Bridgewater would go to Houston– but he has less immediate worth, and he’s being paid too much commensurate to his skill.
The wild card in a potential Panthers trade is Christian McCaffery. The running back, who some believed was the MVP in 2019, was hurt for much of 2020 and has a huge brand-new agreement. He’s an elite gamer the Texans could be interested in adding to the offense and take the pressure off.
I do not reasonably see this as a possibility, and feel Carolina would enjoy Watson, however perhaps not for the price they ‘d require to pay.
Other notable mentions
Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints
These are all groups who need to be pointed out in any possible Watson trade situation, but all struggle with the problem of being too excellent. It’s not that they could not trade for Watson, it’s more that I do not think Houston would have an interest in getting back selects that would likely remain in the 20 s since of collective success.
When you have a team in the playoffs, or knocking on the door, there’s a risk for a team like Houston that Watson would be the missing piece, pressing their future compensation even lower. Unlike Miami these teams don’t have a Top 10 select this year, or a young valuable possession to sweeten the offer– which is why I see them as non-starters in the conversation right now.