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The Houston Texans offense moves with Deshaun Watson or it doesn’t move at all.
The three-time Pro Bowler earned his first league passing title in 2020 with 4,823 yards, the first time since Matt Schaub in 2009 that a Texans quarterback led the NFL in passing. In addition, Watson was fifth in the NFL with first downs by pass with 221. Only Matt Ryan (242), Patrick Mahomes (238), Tom Brady (233), and Josh Allen (228) had more first downs through the air.
However, it isn’t just through the air that Watson keeps drives alive. According to new data from Pro Football Focus, the former 2017 first-round pick has picked up the most first downs scrambling since 2019 with 44. Not even the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, who is second in that span, breaks into the forties.
Deshaun Watson: elite dual-threat 😤 pic.twitter.com/sedi5pWBge
— PFF (@PFF) February 5, 2021
Watson’s ability to pick up first downs with his feet as well as his arm is yet another reason why the Texans would be taking a colossal step backwards if they traded him, even for an emperor’s ransom.
“He’s had a great impact on this organization, a great impact on a lot of people, a great impact on this team, and we look forward to the opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring once we get started,” general manager Nick Caserio told reporters on Jan. 29. “And we have zero interest in trading the player. We have a great plan, a great vision for him and for this team and his role on our team and we look forward opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring.”
The Texans have to find a way to get Watson on-board with Caserio and new coach David Culley. Otherwise, they won’t be picking up very many first downs, let alone wins, in 2021, regardless of how many draft picks they can get from dealing the franchise quarterback.
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