Deshaun Watson next NFL team odds: Panthers, Saints or Browns likely to acquire Texans quarterback this week via trade
Houston Texans Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson could be on the move very soon.
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The new NFL league year opens Wednesday, which is when all free-agent signings and trades can be made official, and reading the tea leaves throughout the league it seems more likely than not that the Houston Texans will trade Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson to the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints or Cleveland Browns this week. SportsLine offers odds on where.
Watson led the NFL in passing yards in 2020 but didn't play last season while facing 22 civil suits and 10 criminal complaints alleging sexual assault and inappropriate conduct. Last Friday, a grand jury in Houston declined to indict Watson on the criminal charges – which essentially opened the door for NFL teams to trade for him, although Watson surely will get at least a four-game suspension from Commissioner Roger Goodell under the personal conduct policy.
The Panthers met with Watson on Monday in Houston and the Charlotte Observer reported that the general feeling within the organization was that the meeting was a "great" one. Watson has a no-trade clause so he can decide where he wants to be traded. An offense with Watson, running back Christian McCaffrey and receiver DJ Moore is a nice start. Last year, the Panthers hired Watson's former quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan. Also note that Watson is from nearby Georgia and of course starred collegiately in the Carolinas at Clemson.
How alluring would the Saints be to Watson now that Coach Sean Payton is gone and with the team in salary-cap trouble? The Saints still do have Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas, though Thomas missed the entire 2021 season injured. New head coach Dennis Allen and GM Mickey Loomis also flew to Houston on Monday to meet with Watson. If the Saints can't get Watson, they are likely to re-sign Jameis Winston.
Cleveland will meet with Watson today and could offer something that neither the Saints nor Panthers could in a trade package: A promising young quarterback in Baker Mayfield. Originally, there were reports that Watson was only ready to waive his no-trade clause to Carolina and New Orleans, but the Browns apparently have changed the dynamic. If the Texans don't want Mayfield as part of the deal, the Browns will trade him elsewhere (Indianapolis?) if they get Watson.
The Browns scouted Watson thoroughly ahead the 2017 draft but passed on him at No. 1 overall in favor of Myles Garrett, and again at No. 12 when they traded the pick to Houston instead of drafting Watson themselves.
Cleveland's roster is the closest to Super Bowl contention among the three teams, especially after the addition of Cowboys Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper. However, Carolina has the best draft pick this year to offer: No. 6 overall. Cleveland has No. 13 overall and New Orleans No. 18. Houston already owns the No. 3 pick. The Texans reportedly have asked for three first-round picks, other draft picks and at least one player for Watson.
Watson's $35 million base for 2022 is already guaranteed. His $20 million base and $17 million roster bonus for 2023 (payable next March) become fully guaranteed Sunday.
Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Which team will acquire Deshaun Watson?
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