Deshaun Watson’s legal troubles may have derailed the Broncos QB plans
Mar 28, 2021, 4:04 PM
There have been plenty of reports that the Broncos were interested in trading for Deshaun Watson. The Texans 25-year-old quarterback wanted out of Houston, causing plenty of teams to show interest in the NFL’s leading passer during the 2020 season.
That’s all changed. With 16 women having filed lawsuits against Watson, alleging sexual assault, the six teams most interested in the quarterback have backed off. At least for now, until the legal situation gets resolved.
The Broncos were among the six teams in the running. According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, they were in a group that included the 49ers, Bears, Dolphins, Jets and Panthers that were most interested in Watson.
Also according to McClain, a deal was likely to happen. Despite early reports that Houston was going to dig in their heels, the longtime NFL reporter says that the team was going to cave.
“Watson demanded to be traded in January, and the Texans were planning to accommodate him by the draft (April 29-May 1), even though they’ve never wanted to actually trade him,” McClain wrote.
The timing of a potential trade isn’t the only thing we now know. Recent deals also suggest the price tag.
Last week, the 49ers sent three first-round picks and a third-round selection to the Dolphins for the No. 3 overall pick. San Francisco is expected to use the choice on a quarterback, putting them out of the Watson sweepstakes.
Earlier this offseason, the Rams sent a starting quarterback (Jared Goff), two first-round picks and a third-round choice to the Lions for Matthew Stafford. Goff was a former No. 1 overall selection and has been to a Super Bowl.
So in essence, the asking price for a big-time quarterback is at least three first-round picks and a third-round selection. Watson is younger than Stafford and more proven than whoever goes at No. 3 in the 2021 NFL Draft, so it probably would’ve cost more to acquire him from the Texans.
But now, that’s all a moot point. With his legal troubles seemingly growing by the day, the timing and asking price for a Watson trade are now anyone’s guess.
That may have derailed the Broncos plans. They’re probably going to have to scramble for another option, or just ride it out with Drew Lock.
