It’s been a hot week for Deshaun Watson news as the Texans QB has officially requested a trade from the team as news broke by way of ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the QB wanted out of the Texans organization even after they had already signed a brand new head coach.
Deshaun Watson officially has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, per league sources. He actually did it weeks ago. Their new head-coaching hire, David Culley, has not and will not alter Watson’s thinking.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 28, 2021
With Deshaun Watson staunch in his resolve to be traded from the team, everyone is giving their takes as to where Watson could and should wind up. Welp. Here’s my turn!
To be frank, a lot of teams could use a Deshaun Watson. With a few teams moving on from QBs via trade, or not re-signing guys back to the team this offseason, the Texans should be considering all offers that they receive for him.
I have my own picks as to who would benefit from landing Deshaun Watson on their team. So let’s kick this baby off! These are my favorite landing spots from bottom to top so bear with me, you should get a kick out of some of these teams I have.
5. The Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles may have some major questions heading into the 2021 offseason. Figuring out what to do at the Quarterback position, how to get out of the red in terms of the salary cap, and how to bring the team back to glory from its Superbowl winning ways. Add in a new head coach to start the season and the Eagles could use a surer prospect to lead the team into a new age of Eagles football.
The Eagles would have to move on from Carson Wentz, who would carry a $34.6 million cap hit if he remains on the team after June 1st. If the Eagles flip Wentz to Houston, the Eagles would still have to suck up that $33.8M cap hit for the 2021 season.
The bright side? That’s all they would be on the hook for.
Moving Wentz would actually save money for the Eagles. They would still have a long way to go in getting under the cap, but flipping Wentz and a couple of firsts (and maybe Alshon Jeffery) would certainly be a good way to start.
Besides, the Eagles aren’t exactly home run hitters when it comes to drafting first-round talent so why not take a page out of the Rams playbook and flip those firsts for a bonafide player in Watson?
Oh, did mention that Watson would only account for a staggering $15.9M against the cap for the 2021 season? The Eagles, if they’re smart, should be on the phone with Houston as we speak.
4. The Las Vegas Raiders
Rumors have been circling the Raiders that they could be moving on from franchise QB Derek Carr. What better way to show the hardcore fans of Raiders Nation that you won’t go quietly into the night and let your team be run by, ugh, Marcus Mariota.
Pulling off a trade to send Carr and his contract over to the Texans would be a stroke of genius. Carr’s cap hit for the 2021 season comes up to $22.125 million. Plus with the Raiders being slightly over the cap, projected to be just $21 million, moving Carr for an upgrade like Watson would be a smooth move by Mayock and Gruden.
The Raiders could also trim some fat by letting go of Wide Receiver Tyrell Williams, who is set to make $11 million next season, and who all but was replaced by the combination of Henry Ruggs, Nelson Agholor, and Bryan Edwards.
The Raiders could also bring in another free agent at a lower price for what it’s worth too. Hello? Paging A.J. Green, Corey Davis, or T.Y. Hilton anyone?
3. New York Giants
I didn’t mention this before but personally, I need Watson to stay out of the NFC East division. As a Cowboys fan, it’s tough to write these division rivals into these scenarios. But in the interest of being fair, I would be remiss in not naming these guys.
This one isn’t actually an original of mine but after the blockbuster trade the Rams pulled off to get Matthew Stafford this past Saturday, and comments made by Dan Orvlosky on ESPN’s Get Up earlier this week, along with some comments made on 105.3 the Fans Gbag Nation show, you have to get the G-men in on this.
Let’s start with Dan Orvlosky. Before the Rams/Lions trade, I laughed off his argument that the Giants should trade Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, and three 1st rounders to Houston to get Deshaun Watson. Here’s what I mean:
"If I was Dave Gettleman of the New York Giants, I would take Daniel Jones, I would take Saquon Barkley and I would take three first-round picks, and I would call Houston."
—@danorlovsky7 on Deshaun Watson pic.twitter.com/K5Ud2nCTb5
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 29, 2021
Now I’m not entirely sure you would need to give up that many 1sts when you have a guy like Saquon Barkley in the deal. Two 1sts and Daniel Jones should get it done in my opinion. Remember, Jones was a top 10 draftee, being taken 6th overall in the 2019 NFL draft. That would be a deep discount in terms of cap relief for the Texans who rank 24th in salary cap heading into the 2021 season. Jones is set to count just $8.3 million against the cap next season so that would be a great bargaining point between the Giants and Texans.
2. San Francisco 49ers
With what’s going on over in the NFC West with the Rams making moves to bolster their team at the QB position, the 49ers know that Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t necessarily in the future as they were one of the rumored 6 teams to be in on the deal for Matthew Stafford before the Rams threw down an offer the Lions simply couldn’t refuse.
It seems like the 49ers know they are a bit handicapped when it comes to what Jimmy G can actually do. Yeah, he was part of the reason why they got to the Superbowl last year… But he was also the reason why they lost it.
A trade for Deshaun Watson would instantly boost the 49er’s passing attack. In concert with a strong running game and hopefully a continuation of the strong defense that the 49ers organization has built, sending Jimmy G packing with the 12th overall pick and next year’s 1st should definitely be appealing, to say the least.
As it stands, the team doesn’t have too many needs with youth at the wide receiver position in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk as well as stalwart Tight End George Kittle. A running back can be gained in free agency if need be too.
1. New York Jets
New York again? There’s a reason for that. Remember, I mentioned before when speaking about the New York Giants that there were some comments made about Watson wanting to head to New York on 105.3 the Fans Gbag Nation show, right? Well, I think this makes more sense when leaning on the Jets, and here’s why.
John Lopez from Houston Sports Radio 610 was on the Gbag Nation show last week. During the show, he stated that Watson was not only adamant on his decision to seek a trade but has been looking to possibly target the New York area to be traded to because of the huge market. Lopez went on to say that Watson landing in New York could net him upwards of 300 million in advertising deals. That would be a smart move to grab Watson if I’m the Jets.
The Jets have two 1st round picks (2nd, 23rd) and have options as to what they would want to offer to get Watson along with whatever other picks they would need to add to make it happen. Should they give up the 2nd overall for Watson, no one could blame them for trading that pick to Houston for a sure thing. This would allow the Texans to draft their future QB and save a considerable amount on the new deal. The Jets have the most flexibility pick-wise this season so a deal for them is something I could really see happening.
It also helps that the Jets have the 3rd best salary cap heading into the 2021 season so they could definitely add some weapons around a guy like Watson and become an immediate threat in their division. Look out Buffalo.
