Houston Chronicle’s McClain And Wilson Reveal What They Think It Would Take For The Jets To Get Deshaun Watson

During today’s edition of the Texas Sports Nation podcast with Houston Chronicle writers John McClain and Aaron Wilson, the pair spoke at length about the possibility of quarterback Deshaun Watson being traded.

McClain reiterated what he wrote over the weekend, which is that Houston should give in and deal their pro bowl QB and asked Wilson what he thinks would be the best scenario for the Texans if this were to happen.

Wilson said to the best of his knowledge Houston is still unwilling to even listen to offers, but if they eventually change their stance, the Jets would make the most sense as a potential trading partner.

What would it take for the Jets to land Watson if he were to be made available? Wilson suggested the price could be the Jets’ first and second round picks in 2021 (#2 and #34 overall), as well as their first and second round picks in 2022, QB Sam Darnold, DL Quinnen Williams, and S Marcus Maye, who would presumably be tagged and traded in this scenario.

While McClain and Wilson acknowledged that Watson would likely be nervous about this if it happened because trading all of those assets would weaken the Jets’ ability to build around the QB, McClain pointed out that Gang Green would still have plenty of picks due to the Jamal Adams trade and a significant amount of cap space to add free agents. McClain also said that this would give Watson the opportunity to play for new Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who the QB reportedly respects a great deal.

McClain and Wilson further speculated that if Houston were to make this deal, the apple of their eye at #2 overall would be BYU QB Zach Wilson, who both believe would be the Texans’ best option to replace Watson long term if he is traded.

The other team mentioned prominently during this podcast was the Miami Dolphins, who McClain thinks would be an interesting trade partner because like the Jets, they have a top 3 pick in the 2021 draft and quite a bit of extra draft capital. McClain opined that a Dolphins deal could hinge on whether or not new Texans GM Nick Casserio thinks highly of Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa, who he would have scouted last year as a member of the New England Patriots front office.

H/T Michael Pallas