HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans reacts to a non call during the NFL Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
When is the best time to trade Deshaun Watson? It’s a relatively polarizing question amongst the fans and whatever the answer is will pose a different challenge for the front office. Obviously, the Houston Texans could elect to trade Watson as soon as Monday or anytime before the draft. On the other hand, they could also try to wait it out and see if a bigger package becomes available on draft night. These strategies both come with a bevy of pros and cons and in this video Mr. 713 goes over the possibilities with each strategy.
Let’s begin with the idea that the Texans traded Watson this next week. What does it look like in the Houston front office if, next Friday, #4 is no longer part of the organization? One key advantage to this scenario is the Texans suddenly have a much clearer look at their roster and team building strategy. They’ll know exactly what picks and players the Watson trade was able to return and be able to formulate a plan from there. This comprehension of the depth chart and who to begin targeting/scouting for the picks received will only improve Nick Caserio’s ability to formulate the right plan for 2021. Additionally, if Houston was to move off of Watson this week they spare themselves from a world of pain and media noise. The Watson drama regarding his sexual assault allegation and all of the sports network coverage about whether or not he’d be traded would disappear.
Meanwhile, it may actually be in the best interest of the team to wait to trade until draft night. There is no requirement to have a first or second round pick to begin compiling a comprehensive big board and, if they Texans are well run, they should know who they’d want to target at any selection. Draft night will also represent to the NFL one last chance to make a big push at Watson, as current picks are more valuable than future ones. It’s possible teams up their offers out of desperation and Houston receives a better return than originally anticipated. However, this plan is a bit more chaotic and certainly creates more room for error. It would be unfortunate if Caserio and the front office looked something like Kevin Costner’s Draft Day film.
Ultimately, Mr. 713 prefers to deal Watson in the month before the draft. This gives the team plenty of time to formulate a gameplan and move forward. It’s important to know if you’ll have the #2 pick and Sam Darnold from the New York Jets or the #6 pick and Tua Tagovailoa from the Miami Dolphins, or whatever the return would be from another team. Every trade creates a different depth chart and rebuilding strategy. It may be best to find out now and get started on that process.
Video and Content from Mr. 713 (Twitter: @713HSP)
Article from John Crumpler (Twitter: @Get_Crumped)
