Deshaun Watson to the Buccaneers isn’t impossible yet
By Rob Leeds
What is Deshaun Watson worth?
If Brady retires, which is still a long shot, the Buccaneers will want to make the most of the current roster they have. Watson has a sizable amount of leverage in where he gets traded to, so the Bucs will have to play this strategically.
Tampa Bay will still be a contender next season even if Brady retires, so Watson would get to join a team that is coming off a Super Bowl appearance. Check. The Buccaneer offense has numerous weapons on the offensive side of the ball, a consistent run game, and one of the best offensive lines in football. Check again.
Next, the Buccaneers would have to sell Houston on the idea. To get Houston to bite, the Bucs should offer anything. If the Texans want players, the Bucs should offer almost anyone. If the Texans want draft picks, Tampa Bay should be quick to oblige. A quarterback like Watson is worth at least three first-round picks, but the Bucs should be willing to offer up more.
“Don’t leverage the future,” cynical Bucs fans say. “Those picks are worth way more than one single player.” Are they? In three seasons in a row in the first round, the Buccaneers managed to draft Jameis Winston (off the team), Vernon Hargreaves (off the team), and O.J. Howard, who has been great and could be one of the best tight ends in football when he returns, but a tight end’s value falls short compared to a quarterback.
It’s hard to imagine the Buccaneers will draft that historically bad again, but draft picks are a volatile currency that rarely outweighs a proven player as great as Watson. Even giving up four picks for Watson leaves Tampa Bay ahead of the curve with him under center.