Hypothetical: Trade for Deshaun Watson to get a 1st round pick and then dump Watson? (edited)

[silentone]

Rob0729 - thanks for starting this interesting topic. I like the general idea and think I view it similarly to you and Brotherblues. Cleveland has two obvious problems (among others) Watson and the need for a young QB. The Patriots, in my eyes, have a meaningful problem, arguably the weakest roster in terms of talent in the NFL. The Pats have cap space, a rich owner, and a likely high first round draft pick all of which could help Cleveland with their two problems. Is there a scenario where the Patriots take Watson off Cleveland's hand and also help Cleveland get a young QB (this could involve the Pats trading this years 1st to Cleveland or allowing Cleveland to swap to the better of the 1sts so they could get their future Q)B. Cleveland would have to offer enough to make it worthwhile for the Patriots which means players and draft capital. It's fun to think about, however in the end I'm guessing the cost for Cleveland would be too much and they are better off tanking until they can resolve the Watson problem. The tanking will also help them find what they believe will be their future QB. I am not suggesting the Pats would keep Watson. He would simply be part of the mechanism for the Pats to feel they are getting more than they are giving up. As Brotherblues alluded to, I think that's what good teams and businesses do, work with other teams to help solve their problems while improving their own team (or business).

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Before you flame me, I know this is a hypothetical and will never happen, but I thought it was an interesting hypothetical. I saw Nick Wright say that the only way Cleveland is going to get out of their Watson disaster is to next offseason package Watson, their first round pick (which is likely to be a top 5 pick), and possibly other draft capital and trade them to a team with a ton of cap space who can absorb his $45 million a year salary for two years just to get his base salary off the books. So you are basically paying $90 million for a top five pick and possibly other draft picks. If the Pats wanted to, they could even immediately cut him as a June 1 designation and still spread the cap hits out over two year. Not sure if they could redo the contract to have dummy option years to spread the cap hit over many years.

Reminder: if they did this, they'd have to keep the entire cap hit from the day the trade went through until June 2. No salary cap relief until then.

 

[Nehalem]

A first round pick isn't worth giving up $90m in cap space. Not even close.

 

[UrbanCowboy]

I like it, but depends on "whatever else" -- another pick (maybe a 2nd in 2026) and maybe their left tackle .. if he's young and any good. [A girl can dream?]

 

[ctpatsfan77]

A first round pick isn't worth giving up $90m in cap space. Not even close.

It would take at least two first-rounders IMO. That said, given what Kraft said today about Peppers, there is zero chance that trade will happen for the DV poster child.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

The thing is, it only makes sense if the Browns are a QB away from being a major contender and have a QB ready to step up. These Browns aren't the Rams pre-Stafford.

A toxic guy like Watson can do a lot of damage, especially if there aren't strong leaders in the locker room, and ever more so because of the position he plays. It's an interesting but moot idea, since Cleveland's owner got them into this mess, is keeping them in this mess, and will fire his coach before he starts to believe he might have created the mess and needs to change tack.

 

[dex13]

really not sure the nfl would allow this nba style trade to go through.

 

[UrbanCowboy]

really not sure the nfl would allow this nba style trade to go through.

@Sciz pointed out earlier that ironically the Texans, and our good buddy Bill O'Brien, did this before when they dumped Brock Osweiller. That was several years ago, so maybe there is a different view now, but technically at least it has been done before.

 

[mike_usagisan]

@Sciz pointed out earlier that ironically the Texans, and our good buddy Bill O'Brien, did this before when they dumped Brock Osweiller. That was several years ago, so maybe there is a different view now, but technically at least it has been done before.

I can’t see why the NFL wouldn’t allow it. It’s good for the fan bases of both trading teams.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

Not that I care for Watson's feelings but I think you have to at least consider the possibility of him playing starting QB level again for that to make some sense, just acquiring his rights and shipping him or keeping in some sort of exempt list would look bad so I think that makes some sense for a team like the Panthers who are rock bottom in many ways so **** it let's do that, it cant get any worse.

This kind of transaction is known as a salary dump. They are common in the NBA. They are rarer in the NFL because of the way the cap works and how contracts are structured. I have no idea why you think it would make us look bad. The Pats get picks and perhaps some cash to soften the cap blow, and Cleveland gets rid of a huge contract and toxic person. Watson gets the boot after June 1st, free to do whatever he wants, if any other team will touch him. It's not going to happen, but if it did, it wouldn't reflect poorly on either organization. Watson would look like a turd, but he is one.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I just want to make sure I understand this correctly.
The guy who wants the world to forget that he visited a massage parlor is going to bring in and pay $90,000,000 to a guy who is a serial massage therapist rapist?
Is that right?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I just want to make sure I understand this correctly.
The guy who wants the world to forget that he visited a massage parlor is going to bring in and pay $90,000,000 to a guy who is a serial massage therapist rapist?
Is that right?

He also said that Peppers will be cut if the accusations against him are substantiated.

 

[rads2005]

If the Pats are going to burn cap space in the short term to take on overpriced veterans, I'd rather they take fliers on Offensive Line veterans, rather than an extra draft pick. To me, it's most important to give Drake Maye the best shot he can, and it's hard for me to believe he can optimally develop while constantly getting pressured, hit, and sacked. I feel like I've seen too many young QBs in that situation start to see ghosts, develop bad habits like throwing off the back foot, get rid of it too soon or too late, etc.

 

[stinkypete]

Kraft would never do it.

I would.

 

[Froob]

Think I’d want at least two first round picks and more. Don’t think Kraft would go for it.

 

[billdog3484]

135m for a first round pick….lolol.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

Rob I get that your just tossing this out there for some back and forth banter
We need to strengthen this team now. We have a young stud QB that needs reinforcements
That 90 million this years (or 2 years combined) can be used for some valuable FA’s
The trade would only get us draft capitol at the expense of seasoned players
The draft is a crap shoot.
At least with FA they still may not work out but you have a peek of how that player performs once in the NFL

 

[Family]

Looking at Watson's contract, I can't believe how screwed Cleveland is. This will be the worst head coaching job in the history of the NFL.

Depending on this year's draft position the trade will only make sense for a QB drooling team.

So Cleveland might as well take a franchise QB, if he's available, and if not definitely keep next year's pick.

It would take a unique situation for this to work, something I don't see the Patriots being in.

 

[Zoomnbyu]

Before you flame me, I know this is a hypothetical and will never happen, but I thought it was an interesting hypothetical. I saw Nick Wright say that the only way Cleveland is going to get out of their Watson disaster is to next offseason package Watson, their first round pick (which is likely to be a top 5 pick), and possibly other draft capital and trade them to a team with a ton of cap space who can absorb his $45 million a year salary for two years just to get his base salary off the books. So you are basically paying $90 million for a top five pick and possibly other draft picks. If the Pats wanted to, they could even immediately cut him as a June 1 designation and still spread the cap hits out over two year. Not sure if they could redo the contract to have dummy option years to spread the cap hit over many years.

I don't see Kraft ever agreeing to give up $90 million for draft picks. And I am not even sure if that is good use of cap resources to buy draft picks. But for Cleveland to get a deal like this done might require them to give up a whole heck of a lot. Maybe almost as much as they gave to get Watson.

If Cleveland does make a trade like this, it could be a case where they helped two teams become legitimate contenders while making two of the worst, one sided trades in NFL history. CJ Stroud gets all credit for the resurgence of the Texans, but the Watson trade gave the Texans a lot of key players. Here is what the Watson trade got the Texans:

• Will Anderson Jr. Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023
• Tank Dell: Starting wide receiver
• Kenyon Green: Starting left guard
• Dameon Pierce: Running back
• Calen Bullock: Starting free safety
• Kamari Lassiter: Starting cornerback
• John Metchie III: Wide receiver
• Christian Harris: Linebacker
• Jamal Hill: Linebacker
• Cade Stover: Tight end

Not going to happen but lets play the game. Take more than one team to make it happen. Pats have a ton of cap space. Use part of it to absorb Watson's salary and would need at least a 2025 1st, a 2026 2nd, and a good player. Immediately trade Watson to immediate QB needy team (Giants come to mind, or the Jets assuming Rodgers is gone this year) for a middling pick and a percentage of the salary. Watson serves as that teams Brissett with possibly higher ceiling.

Before you say it would never happen Dallas, Carolina, Jets, 49ers, etc... poor decision making legit exists in this universe. Much dumber has happened in last several years.

 

[Real fan 02]

Rob I get that your just tossing this out there for some back and forth banter
We need to strengthen this team now. We have a young stud QB that needs reinforcements
That 90 million this years (or 2 years combined) can be used for some valuable FA’s
The trade would only get us draft capitol at the expense of seasoned players
The draft is a crap shoot.
At least with FA they still may not work out but you have a peek of how that player performs once in the NFL

Don't we have over 100 Million in space?? Wasn't sure. I believe nationally Drake has gotten the attention from potential FAs.. for example chase is the priority for Cincinnati and by all indication Higgins will hit the market. He absolutely should be signed. Then we address the trenches OL&DL.. it's going to have to be a combination of draft and FA signings to get this roster up to NFL standards.