Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson could make any team in the NFL better, but that particular team may not be the best fit for the three-time Pro Bowler. That latter clause is why Watson and his camp believe the Texans aren’t the best fit for him at this time.
The former 2017 first-round pick could run into a similar set of circumstances in another NFL city. If Watson leaves Houston, where he was the only catalytic force and carried the team, and brings the same theme to a new team, spectators will conclude maybe the Texans weren’t the entire problem. Watson needs to go to a team where they can surround him with the best talent and also have resources to address talent concerns in the future — a tall order if any team gives up an emperor’s ransom for Watson.
According to Mark Schofield of the Touchdown Wire, the Dolphins are a team that can afford to trade for Watson and already have a team in place to get the most out of him.
A name on many sets of lips is the Miami Dolphins. Despite missing the playoffs this past season, Miami looks poised to have a bit of a contention window, provided they can get some stability at the quarterback position. Adding an elite talent like Watson gives them that stability.
In terms of what the Dolphins could offer, it might begin with the pair of first-round selections they have in this upcoming draft. Perhaps a future first-rounder or two. Maybe even — likely, perhaps — Tua Tagovailoa. If the rumors are true that the Texans would want a defensive player or two in the deal, there are pieces in place that the Dolphins could consider on that side of the football. Purely through the prism of “what team can put together the best package?” the Dolphins are near — or at — the top of such list.
But what about Watson’s perspective? What would be best for him? Miami still looks like a great fit for him. This is a roster that is on the verge of the post-season that is built to win now, and still has cap space available to fill into pieces that might be folded into a potential deal. As far as the scheme fit question, Miami is going with a co-offensive coordinator approach with Eric Studesville and George Godsey, but does that truly matter? Watson is a fairly scheme-diverse quarterback, who can function in almost any offensive system imaginable. Would he be great in an offense rooted in the McVay/Shanahan elements? Absolutely. Would he be great in a more downfield system? Also absolutely true. That’s what makes Watson on of the game’s premier talents: He can transcend the offense itself.
In a manner of speaking, it would be embarrassing for the Texans to recover their first and second-round picks from the Laremy Tunsil trade by sending over Watson. For Watson, if Houston can’t find a way to smooth things over and bring him back into the fold, Miami might be the best destination.