If the Houston-Texans think they are finally going to give in and trade Deshaun Watson, the fullback, there is no better time than the current one.
They are a franchise without a first-round pick, and their most likely trading partner (the Jets) has the second overall pick, as well as an additional first this year and in 2022 from the Jamal Adams trade with the Seattle Seahawks.
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If the Texans wait until after the draft and then finally decide to cave as soon as Watson makes it clear that he will hold out (which is a very real possibility), the offerings will not look so appealing.
Watson’s presence is big in the first round of the draft this year, especially since the Jets are likely to dictate the rest of the order in an important way.
So how would Jets general manager Joe Douglas approach it? What will teams like the Giants and Eagles do to fill their gaps?
Here is our latest projection of the first round of this year’s concept:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson.
Yup.
** TRADE **
Texans get: QB Sam Darnold, two 2021 first round selections (no. 2, no. 23), 2021 second round, 2022 second round, 2023 third round
Jets get: QB Deshaun Watson, 2021 fifth round
2. Texas Texans (via Jets): QB Zach Wilson, BYU.
Maybe the Jets should include Quinnen Williams as well, but Joe Douglas has enough juice to get it done when Houston picks up the phone. Then, of course, the Texans need to swap their superstar quarterbacks, but they need to find their next one. Yes, they get Sam Darnold back in this trade, but while he can still unlock his talent and become a solid player, that’s no guarantee. The Texans must do what they can to find their next Watson. Many people seem to think that Wilson has the potential.
3. Miami Dolphins: WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU.
If the dolphins do not end up with Watson, they could follow a number of directions here. If they plan to stay at Tua Tagovailoa, they should surround him with a better supporting cast. Chase has star potential.
4. Atlanta Valke: QB Justin Fields, Ohio State.
It’s time for Matt Ryan to plan for life. Fields, Trey Lance or Mac Jones are all possible.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Penei Sewell, Oregon.
The easiest non-Trevor Lawrence pick, if Sewell comes up with the fifth pick. The Bengals need such offensive help.
Philadelphia Eagles: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida.
If Chase is still here, he’s probably the choice. If he’s gone, the Eagles will have a hard time passing Pitts, which is one of the more unique prospects to come out long ago. He is a fixed point, just in name. If he were merely a wide receiver, he would also be a top-10 pick.
7. Detroit Lions: LB Micah Parsons, Penn State.
The Lions have a lot of needs, but they are in the process of a complete rebuild and simply have to choose the best player available. Parsons has considerable talent, even if the lineout balance is judged.
Carolina Panthers: QB Trey Lance, North Dakota.
The Panthers made no secret of their desire to find an upgrade over Teddy Bridgewater. Lance may need some development so he can sit behind Bridgewater for a year and then take over in 2022.
9. Denver Broncos: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech.
If the Broncos believe in Drew Lock, their biggest need is at the corner, and Farley is the best player in this position this year.
10. Dallas Cowboys: CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama.
Call Surtain 1B if Farley is 1A. The Cowboys urgently need to address the cornerback.
11. New York Giants: WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama.
The Giants getting the chance to choose between Waddle AND DeVonta Smith is quite a best case. It might even be worthwhile to swap some choices with Mac Jones still on board for quarterback needs. But alas, Waddle has a Tyreek Hill skill and will add a dimension to the Giants offense that has been missing since Odell Beckham left.
** TRADE **
Patriots get: first choice (No. 12)
49ers get: first round (No. 15), 2021 fourth round, 2022 second round
12. New England Patriots (via 49ers): QB Mac Jones, Alabama.
Cam Newton is not the solution. Neither does Jarrett Stidham. Bill Belichick obviously has connections with Nick Saban and is as aware of what Jones can do as anyone. He is the only first full-back to be on board, and the Patriots need to improve their lives after Tom Brady.
Los Angeles Chargers: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwest.
It’s simple: the Chargers need to better protect Justin Herbert.
Minnesota Vikings: EDGE Gregory Rousseau, Miami.
The Yannick Ngakoue experiment failed last year. The Vikings need to get their talent in their weak defense.
15. San Francisco 49ers (via Patriots): CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina.
The 49ers are going to lose their entire corner corps due to free agency. Easy choice.
Arizona Cardinal: WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama.
It may seem wild to think that Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner, could fall this far, but there are some questions about his size and the board played in such a way that teams that choose would not be a priority of wide receiver do not make. That would be the best case for the Cardinals, who need DeAndre Hopkins better help, especially if Larry Fitzgerald retires.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami.
Their passion rush is weak. Phillips, Azeez Ojulari or Kwity Paye all make sense here.
18. Miami Dolphins: RB Travis Etienne, Clemson.
The Dolphins got an upgrade from the wide receiver at number 3 and they are still loading up weapons with the best running in this draft class.
19. Washington Soccer Team: WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota.
Washington does not know who his quarterback will be, but he will have an impressive collection of weapons to add Bateman to a group that already has Terry McLaurin, Logan Thomas and Antonio Gibson.
20. Chicago Bears: OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC.
The Bears pass on quarterbacks and the best prospects for the receiver in this draft, and they focus their attention on their weak attacking line. Vera-Tucker has the potential to play or wait.
21. Indianapolis Colts: WR Kadarius Toney, Florida.
The Colts need to get Carson Wentz weapons on the outside, especially if TY Hilton pulls away as a free agent. Toney is a speed devil and will be a fun replacement.
22. Tennessee Titans: EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan.
The Titans chase is unfortunate. Paye is a project but has a high ceiling.
23. Houston Texans (via Jets): EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia.
Its stock has risen since the end of the college football season. The Texans must chase JJ Watt’s production with a passion.
Pittsburgh Steelers: C Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma.
Maurkice Pouncey retired and Humphrey could immediately step in as his replacement on offense.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: T Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech.
The Jaguars need to improve protection against Lawrence, and Darrisaw may be able to tackle their new left-back.
26. Cleveland Browns: S Trevon Moehrig, TCU.
Cleveland has a clear need for safety, even with Grant Delpit returning from injury, and Moehrig is perhaps the only first-round talent to be safe this year.
27. Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Jayson Oweh, Penn State.
The Ravens could lose Yannick Ngakoue and Matthew Judon as a free agency and must develop their next dominant pass roster. Oweh has a high ceiling.
28. New Orleans Saints: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame.
The Saints linebackers (outside Demario Davis) were a disaster last year. Owusu-Koramoah is an exciting player and elite-level athlete.
29. Green Bay Packers: WR Elijah Moore, Ole Mej.
It’s time for the Packers to get Aaron Rodgers a few more guns, and Moore is a fun, fast-paced prospect who can stand in a few places.
30. Buffalo Bills: OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State.
The Bills have a need on the offensive line, especially if Daryl Williams stops leaving as a free agent. Jenkins can replace him on the right tackle.
31. Chiefs of Kansas City: EDGE Zaven Collins, Tulsa.
Collins is a fun, versatile prospect who can help from the edge and as an off-ball lineback. The Chiefs have a need in that area.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Levi Onwuzurike, Washington.
The Buccaneers defensive line is getting older, especially in the interior, and can use an addition of youth and talent at a cheap price. Onwuzurike is an interesting prospect.
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