Texans: Jets continue to be frontrunner in Deshaun Watson sweepstakes

Quarterback quandaries are beginning to solve themselves across the league, as the likes of Matthew Stafford and Carson Wentz have ben dealt away from uncomfortable situations. For the Houston Texans, however, their controversy with superstar quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to rage on.

There is, however, more clarity forming day-by-day thanks to the boots on the ground near the organization. As always, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle brings his insight into the case. As the Texans and Watson continue to be at a standoff, it appears one common destination continues to rise to the top of the list: The New York Jets. McClain stated:

"“They don’t want the eighth, ninth, or 12th pick. They don’t want [Jimmy] Garoppolo, [Teddy] Bridgewater or [Drew] Lock. They want the opportunity to pick the second best quarterback in the draft.”"

This clearly points directly towards the Jets as they currently hold the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Watson to Jets beginning to align

First it was Watson’s marketing agent who advocated for the move to the Big Apple, then the rumors that Watson was a big fan of the Jets’ new head coach in Robert Saleh, and now McClain continuing to harp on New York as the likely landing spot for the star quarterback.

The Jets certainly have the ammunition to make the move, holding two first rounders and two third rounders in the 2021 NFL Draft. With the asking price sitting at three first round picks for Watson, they clearly have the most enticing package to offer the Texans in hopes of landing a new star quarterback.

Who would Texans look to take with second overall pick?

If the Texans want the chance to take the second best quarterback in this class, then it is certainly not Clemson gunslinger Trevor Lawrence. The Jacksonville Jaguars have had their minds made up for months now, and by the time April rolls around, it will be scotch and cigars for that front office. That leaves Ohio State’s Justin Fields, BYU’s Zach Wilson, or North Dakota State’s Trey Lance as the next options for Houston should they land the pick.

Reading between the lines, it seems highly unlikely Fields ends up in the same organization that Watson is departing. Not only do Fields and Watson have the same quarterback coach and train together, but they both have the same agent in David Mulugheta as well. This leaves Wilson or Lance for the Texans.

Regardless of the decisions the Texans continue to make, it looks like Watson’s days in the organization are numbered. At least it would be in the best interest of the team to not draw this out in hopes of keeping the trade market sky-high. Can this all end yet?