Report: Texans’ asking price for a Deshaun Watson deal originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The future of Texas full-back Deshaun Watson in Houston remains unclear, and if any NFL team is going to acquire him during the off-season, he must prepare to fetch a very steep price.
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle tweeted the asking price for Watson last week
The Rams-Lions trade will have nothing to do with a Watson trade if the Texans do. They want at least two one, two two and two young defensive starters. Watson (25), under contract, a great QB, team leader, beloved among fans, mainstay of the community. Start with the Jets.
– John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) 31 January 2021
Wowza.
In all seriousness, this asking price is not at all surprising when you consider Watson’s talent, age and the great importance of the position he plays.
Curran: Stafford named New England as trade destination
Watson is coming off his best pro season yet. He completed career highs in 2020 with a 70.2 percent, 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns, along with a career-low seven distinctions.
The 25-year-old quarterback has reportedly requested a trade, so this story should dominate the off-season until something happens.
The New York Jets, who McClain mentioned in the above tweet, are a possible destination for Watson to be speculated.
The Jets could dangle Sam Darnold, the first round of 2018, in a potential package, which will give Houston another young quarter to build around. New York have not been very successful in the first round in the last few years, so maybe it would not be the worst thing to pledge a large part of their future to get Watson.
The Jets to get Watson would be a bad scenario for the New England Patriots, who missed a Matthew Stafford deal and still do not have a viable quarterback for 2021 and beyond.
The Miami Dolphins are another potential destination for Watson, and it will also be bad for the Patriots if they try to regain their previous dominance in the AFC East. The Dolphins have the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL draft and the first round QB Tua Tagovailoa in 2020 to use in any trade, and those are two prime assets.
The Texans, if they are actually going to trade Watson, need to get a Herschel Walker type for him. You can not exchange one of the best backs of the league early on in his best and fail to get several first-class players to a minimum.