Before you say the ‘price is too steep’ take a look at Watson’s statistics and how his 2020 performance is being evaluated. Very few people blame Watson for the Texans 4-12 season. The Texans defense was No. 30 in the league, and dead last at stopping the run. This did mean Watson received lots of opportunity to throw the ball, but he made the most of it. Watson lead the league in passing. Yes, I said that right.
For all the grief about the Texans giving away DeAndre Hopkins, Watson didn’t really miss him that much. All the Texans had to do was field an average defense to make the playoffs. Okay, the Panthers current defense is below average, but they are not far from being much better in my book. Plus having a quarterback like Watson would take some pressure off the defense.
Total yards and passer rating are not the only, nor the best way by itself to evaluate a quarterback. NEXT GEN stats is another good one tool, and it is also another one with Watson at the top.
I think it is a no brainer Watson would be a desired addition to the Panthers roster. The question is are they willing to pay the price? So let’s play some armchair general manager Panthers fans. As much as it hurts to part with the value of three first round picks, my excitement level for the coming season would be through the roof, no matter how the draft falls out!
I doubt the Texans would take a first rounder in the next three drafts, that would take too long to reap the benefits of the trade. Since the Panthers only have two first round picks in the coming two drafts they have to part with something else. This is why I think the Dolphins have the best shot at getting Watson if they have any doubt in Tua Tagovailoa, but I digress.
Including a former first round pick in lieu of a third first rounder would probably do it. Christian McCaffrey, Brian Burns, Jeremy Chinn, Taylor Moton or Derek Brown would probably be enticing to the Texans. This is where I draw the line. I’m willing to offer up draft picks, I lot of draft picks, but hands off our young stars. Yet certainly the Panthers would need to include players. Teddy Bridgewater seems like a no-brainer as there’s no way they would be able to pay both players. Then the Texans could draft a quarterback to play behind Bridgewater, basically the Panthers plans if they don’t trade for Watson. Others player I would consider in a trade to Houston would be Kawann Short or DJ Moore. Actually pretty much any other Panthers player they might be interested in.
So here is what my best offer would be: This years first and second round picks, next year’s first round pick plus Bridgewater and DJ Moore. The Panthers are deep at wide receiver and I really would prefer to have Curtis Samuel back over Moore if I have to pick one. I admit I haven’t looked at the financial side of this deal so maybe it could never happen. Regardless, my point is to show what I am willing to part with for the Panthers to land the best young passer in the league.
So now my question is what is your best offer? Answer the fan poll and put your best offer in the comments.
Poll
What would be your best Panthers offer for Deshaun Watson?
This poll is closed
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28%
Three first round picks or equivalent
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6%
Even more than three first round picks
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43%
Two first round picks max
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5%
Less than two first round picks
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15%
No offer, Panthers don’t need him that bad