Deshaun Watson trade rumors: Patriots, Dolphins, 49ers among best fits for disgruntled Texans QB

The Texans have not had 12 months of constructing franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson blissful, regardless of giving him a 4-year, $156 million contract extension proper earlier than the 2021 season. It began final March after they traded his go-to vast receiver Deandre Hopkins to Arizona. And it could finish with Houston buying and selling Watson himself.

The Texans appeased Watson a bit in eradicating now former offensive-minded normal supervisor/ coach Invoice O’Brien in the course of the season — ensuing within the best statistical performance of his career. However they’ve reportedly made him extra upset by not committing to variety of their technique of hiring a brand new GM and coach.

The Texans named Nick Caserio — one other former Patriot, their former director of participant personnel — as GM earlier within the month. In addition they went with former Ravens assistant coach David Culley as their head coach over two stronger minority candidates, Payments defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy of their teaching search.

Now Watson has reportedly requested a trade, able to make concessions on his no-trade clause. Now the official query turns into, what groups are able to touchdown him?

Here is a take a look at probably the most affordable matches, together with an already hot-rumored vacation spot:

MORE: Timeline of dysfunction details Deshaun Watson’s rift with Texans

Deshaun Watson commerce matches

1. New England Patriots

Each group that is not set at quarterback and has wage cap house ought to take into account buying Watson. He simply led the NFL in passing yardage (four,823 yards) and yards per try (eight.9). He additionally posted an elite passer score of 112.four, rushed for 444 extra yards and produced 36 complete touchdowns.

Caserio got here from working with Invoice Belichick. The Patriots aren’t bringing again Cam Newton. For now, they’re projected to have almost $60 million out there beneath the cap, the third-highest complete within the league. However would New England be prepared to half with way more than their 2020 first-rounder (No. 15 total) to get him? In the event that they suppose Watson is nice sufficient to place them again in AFC title competition with Belichick and Josh McDaniels, the reply ought to be sure.

Watson turns 26 in September and is simply getting into his prime. After Patrick Mahomes, he is arguably the second-best younger quarterback within the AFC. He is a longtime participant round whom you may construct a championship group. It is arduous to consider sacrificing a number of first-rounders for one participant, however gamers akin to Watson do not often turn out to be out there within the open market.

2. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins and Texans had been busy commerce companions when O’Brien was round, most notably involving Houston’s acquisition of Professional Bowl left sort out Laremy Tunsil. Caserio and Miami’s GM, Chris Grier each come from the Patriots’ tree.

According to a report from ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Watson could also be most open to a commerce to the Dolphins, which might contain the Texans getting 2020 first-round quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and different vital compensation. This follows the considering that the Dolphins might not be utterly bought on Tagovailoa as their franchise reply.

Tagovailoa might find yourself being particular in time, however Watson is already a certain factor. The Dolphins completed 10-6 in Yr 2 beneath Flores, simply lacking the playoffs, and have a vivid future forward with loads of cap house. In addition they are sitting on two first-rounders, No. three total (through the Tunsil commerce) and No. 18. They’re best-positioned to provide the Texans adequately excessive compensation.

MORE: The hunt to find Deshaun Watson jersey-swapped onto every NFL team

three. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers do not have a ton of cap house for now — round $23 million — however ought to they pursue Watson, it could be as a result of they’re getting out of Jimmy Garoppolo’s contract. They’ll try this by consuming solely $2.eight million in useless cash with extra cap aid of $24.1 million.

San Francisco has the No. 12 total choose and may get aggressive with GM John Lynch. He did take an extended take a look at quarterbacks within the 2017 draft, however finally selected defensive finish Solomon Thomas over Watson and others earlier than buying and selling for Garoppolo in October of that 12 months.

Watson would thrive in any offensive system, however Kyle Shanahan has an awesome one that will maximize his dynamic talent set with a powerful conventional working sport and established playmakers in Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle. The 49ers, just like the Patriots, should not draw back from giving up so much to get Watson.

four. Washington Soccer Group

Now we’re stepping into some wild playing cards. WFT began 4 quarterbacks within the first season beneath Ron Rivera and Scott Turner. Between Kyle Allen, Alex Smith, Dwayne Haskins (now gone) and Taylor Heinicke, there was no definitive long-term resolution. Washington has round $42 million in cap house, projected to be the fifth-highest complete.

Turner additionally is a good offensive coordinator, able to adjusting properly to Watson’s talent set. Washington has key playmakers for Watson in working again Antonio Gibson, vast receiver Terry McLaurin and tight finish Logan Thomas earlier than including extra. The problem can be the compensation: Washington, the NFC East champion however wild-card loser, holds the No. 19 total choose as its finest asset.

5. New York Jets

Ought to Watson find yourself within the AFC East, the Patriots and Dolphins are significantly better bets. However the Jets know they are going to miss out on Trevor Lawrence within the draft, so maybe they will faucet into Clemson’s established elite NFL quarterback this fashion. The Jets are taking a look at round $70 million in cap house, so affording Watson is not any challenge. In addition they may give the Texans the No. 2 total choose as a part of the compensation — which might permit the Texans to draft a high-upside substitute, akin to Ohio State’s Justin Fields or BYU’s Zach Wilson.

The Jets supply the best teaching scenario with Robert Saleh and must proceed to construct up their supporting solid, however that will even be the case in catering to Fields or Wilson Joe Douglas ought to make some lengthy calls with Caserio.

6. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts will not have retiring Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett additionally is not beneath contract for 2021 after being eradicated by the Payments within the wild-card playoffs. They’re proper there with the Patriots in cap house, forward of Washington.

The obstacles towards a Watson commerce begins with the actual fact Indianapolis is the Texans’ AFC South division rival. It ends with not having a top-20 first-round choose. They’ve a greater shot at Watson than the cap-strapped Bears, but it surely’s an extended one. Simply take into accout the Eagles and Washington as soon as executed an intra-division quarterback commerce involving Donovan McNabb.

7. Denver Broncos

The Broncos would like to get into this combine beneath John Elway, assuming they’re nonetheless not completely bought on Drew Lock. They do have the enchantment of the No. 9 total choose, however in addition they have lower than $20 million beneath the cap out there.

Denver would want to clear a number of veteran wage (which it could possibly) and cargo up on a package deal together with that first-rounder to land Watson. That looks as if an actual stretch to place collectively, and the groups above all supply Watson extra snug conditions.