Pro Football Focus projects the Broncos trading for Deshaun Watson
Feb 22, 2021, 9:04 AM
In their latest mock draft, Pro Football Focus includes a bombshell that will excite Broncos Country. The site has the No. 9 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft being made by the Houston Texans, after they acquire the pick from Denver in a blockbuster deal for Deshaun Watson.
The asking price for the quarterback has been rumored to be high. Some project it will take four first-round picks to acquire Watson. Others say it’ll be a Herschel Walker-type haul, with as many as 10 picks scattered over multiple years.
According to PFF, however, the asking price won’t be near that high. In their mock draft, they also highlight the compensation the Broncos will have given up in order to acquire Watson.
“Houston trades quarterback Deshaun Watson to Denver for the ninth overall pick, a 2021 second-rounder, 2022 first-rounder, 2022 second-rounder, 2023 first-rounder”
By no means is that a small amount. But three first-round picks and two second-round picks is less than what some have expected.
For the sake of comparison, here’s what the Broncos have done with their last three No. 1s and two No. 2s:
2020
1 – Jerry Jeudy
2 – K.J. Hamler
2019
1 – Noah Fant
2 – Dalton Risner
2018
1 – Bradley Chubb
That’s a lot of talent, players who the Broncos expect big things from. But in seven combined seasons, those five players have accounted for 184 receptions, 2,472 yards, 12 touchdowns, 20.5 sacks and 32 games at left guard.
According to Pro Football Focus, that’s the going rate for a franchise quarterback. After five years wandering through the desert in search of one, it’s a price the Broncos would be smart to pay.
