The trading market for Deshaun Watson is starting to take shape, and it sounds like the Houston Texans full-back prefers to land in the AFC East.
According to a report by Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, Watson told people that the New York Jets are the best destination, followed by the Miami Dolphins.
The reported reason for Watson’s preference in New York is not the big market or a strong roster, but their appointment of former San Francisco 49ers defense coordinator Robert Saleh as their new head coach. Watson’s respect for Saleh is high enough that he allegedly requested that the Texans interrogate him for their head coaching job, which the team did not do. This is in line with a previous report by Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.
Saleh is widely seen as a strong hire for the Jets after four years of managing the Niners defense, which ranks fifth in the NFL overall defense this season, despite an absurd number of injuries. He is also seen as a player’s coach and charismatic presence in the locker room, earn the endorsement of Richard Sherman and other on the way out.
The gap between Watson and the Texans goes back to the way the Texans handled their head coaching and general manager search, so it would not be surprising to see that Watson appreciates a coach to follow him to New York. The Texans probably also would not hate the idea of a trade with the Jets, given what the team might give them.
Jets are in a good position to trade for Deshaun Watson
Look, typically no team want to trade a franchise fullback like Deshaun Watson. The Texans clearly want to hold on to Watson, but sometimes a situation becomes toxic enough that you have to move on. And if the Texans decide to go ahead, they could do worse than the package the Jets probably put together.
Start with the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL draft. It won’t give you a Trevor Lawrence – not as long as the Jacksonville Jaguars do what is commonly expected of them – but it will give you the choice between BYU’s Zach Wilson and Justin State Fields in Ohio as your next franchise. quarter, and it’s the Texans will want the most if they give up Watson. The Jets also possess this year’s 23rd overall pick thanks to the Jamal Adams trade.
Watson to New York could also be spent for Sam Darnold, so Houston will give a Week 1 appetizer if they want to give their next QB time to acclimatize. And who knows, maybe Darnold himself will become a franchise quarterback, now that he has escaped the gravity of Adam Gase.
It is noteworthy that the Dolphins can offer a basic package similar to the above with the number 3 (thanks Bill O’Brien!), The number 18 choice and Tua Tagovailoa, but what they do not have is an extra first -round selection in next year’s draft. If the Jets go for Watson, you would think a pack of Darnold and three (or more) first-round picks, including this year’s second overall series, would be quite enticing.
If the Texans want more, ESPN’s Rich Cimini reports that the Jets are ‘willing to listen’ to a possible deal that will put them off Matthew Stafford, who recently requested a deal, and the No. 7 for the no. 2 select.
More from Yahoo Sports: