Deshaun Watson’s preferred trade destinations have been revealed to the public.
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson wants to be traded and prefers to be dealt to one of these two teams.
According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, Watson’s two preferred trade destinations are the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins in that order. What supposedly makes the Jets Watson’s frontrunner is he loved their hire of new head coach Robert Saleh. He embodies a lot of what Watson hoped the Texans would have done in finding Bill O’Brien‘s long-term Houston successor.
Could Deshaun Watson end up with either the Jets or Dolphins in a trade?
The big loser in all of this besides the Texans obviously are the San Francisco 49ers. Pairing him with offensive-minded head coach Kyle Shanahan could have the 49ers back to contending for Super Bowls. However, it seems like Watson is dead-set on staying in the AFC, but only switching divisions. It also helps that the Jets and Dolphins both have a top-three pick at their disposal.
For Watson to go to the Jets, it would require Gang Green to give up the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, as well as fourth-year pro Sam Darnold. If Watson were to go to the Dolphins, it would mean last year’s No. 5 overall pick Tua Tagovailoa would head to Houston, as well as the No. 3 overall pick the Texans originally traded to the Dolphins for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Of course, a top-tier quarterback like Watson would command more than an up-and-coming franchise quarterback and a top-three selection in this spring’s draft. The only problem is Houston is losing leverage by the day with Watson’s growing dismay of the direction his franchise is going. Watson signed a fat contract this past offseason, meaning he will be tied to his new team for seasons to come.
Ultimately, getting Watson to either New York or Miami makes them even more interesting overnight. While saying the Jets or Dolphins could be playoff teams right away with a new quarterback is a bit of a reach, it will be a massive upgrade over what they currently have in an underdeveloped Darnold and Tagovailoa coming off only a so-so rookie season in 2020.
Watson may get traded, but who knows if it will be to either one of his preferred destinations?