After a long and drawn-out process, Deshaun Watson has a new home.
In Cleveland with the Browns.
After days of speculation, the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns have agreed on a trade to send the quarterback to the AFC North. While it seemed like Watson would be heading to the NFC South, as the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons were all viewed as the top contenders, in the end Watson is headed to the AFC after all, in what looks to be a loaded conference:
Deshaun Watson plans to waive his no-trade clause to the #Browns, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. Yes, the Browns!!
Trade compensation still to be finalized with the #Texans, but Watson has made his choice: He expects to go to Cleveland.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2022
And, as you might expect, the Browns’ selection at 13 overall is part of the deal:
We have agreed to trade QB Deshaun Watson and a 2024 fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for a 2022 first-round pick, 2023 first-round pick, 2024 first-round pick, 2023 third-round pick and 2024 fourth-round pick.
Statement from GM Nick Caserio:
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) March 18, 2022
Let’s dive into how that, along with other recent moves, might impact the first round of the NFL draft.
