Deshaun Watson First Round Pick

Lore & Background

Watson's performance peaked in 2020 when he led the league in passing yards with 4,823 yards despite the Texans' 4-12 record. He had the 3rd best touchdown-to-interception ratio at 33:7 and the 2nd highest passer rating in the NFL at 112.4. Watson sat out the 2021 season amidst sexual misconduct allegations and a trade request. On March 18, 2022, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns for multiple draft picks, including first-round selections that the Texans later used to draft several Pro Bowlers and starting players, including Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson.

Reader's Guide

Watson's final game as a Texan was on January 3, 2021, a 38–41 loss to the Tennessee Titans. After the trade, Watson signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract. He was suspended for 11 games in 2022 due to the sexual assault allegations. His play from 2022 onward was marred by a lack of efficiency and back-to-back season-ending injuries in 2023 and 2024. In January 2025, he suffered a second rupture to his right Achilles tendon and missed the entire 2025 NFL season.

Did You Know?

• The trade included the Texans receiving Cleveland's 2022 first and fourth round picks, 2023 first and third round picks, and 2024 first and fourth round picks, plus a Texans 2024 sixth round selection.
• Baker Mayfield, the Browns' previous starting quarterback, was traded to the Carolina Panthers after the Watson trade and later led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to consecutive division titles in 2023 and 2024.
• Browns owner Jimmy Haslam called the trade 'a big swing and miss' in 2025.