The Atlanta Falcons’ management group accomplished a gathering with Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson on Wednesday in Atlanta and have submitted a commerce proposal for the three-time Professional Bowl choice, in response to league sources not approved to talk publicly.
Particulars of the Falcons’ assembly with Deshaun Watson
The Falcons rolled out the proverbial “crimson carpet” for the Georgia native at their Flowery Department headquarters, making a powerful presentation about their imaginative and prescient for him as their potential franchise quarterback.
It’s a robust draw for Watson — enjoying close to his hometown of Gainesville, Ga. for the franchise he grew up working for as a ball boy and idolizing his buddy and mentor, former star quarterback Michael Vick.
Whether or not Watson in the end chooses the Falcons or opts for the group considered a pacesetter for his providers — the New Orleans Saints — stays the largest plotline of the NFL offseason. Watson is likely one of the most dynamic gamers within the sport no matter place and is the highest participant out there through a commerce within the league.
The Falcons’ assembly adopted earlier conferences and commerce proposals from the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and Carolina Panthers with the three earlier ones carried out in Houston, in response to league sources.
No commerce is imminent right now as Watson continues to ponder which group he would waive his no-trade clause for, per league sources.
Perception into the Falcons’ commerce curiosity
The Texans need three first-round draft picks, further draft capital, and maybe a participant or two. The Falcons maintain the eighth general decide of the primary spherical along with a pair of second-round choices: No. 43 general and No. 58 general. One participant league sources theorize that may very well be a part of a potential commerce with the Texans is Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, a tall exterior nook.
The Falcons entered the Watson sweepstakes a bit late however are an intriguing possibility given their proximity to household in his hometown and the presence of assistant coach T.J. Yates, who performed and coached for the Texans. Falcons senior director of soccer administration Chris Olsen was with the Texans when former basic supervisor Rick Smith orchestrated a commerce to land the previous Clemson star. The presence of tight finish Kyle Pitts can also be among the many pluses of the Falcons’ roster.
The Falcons’ state of affairs is sophisticated as a result of presence of veteran quarterback Matt Ryan. Ryan’s contract has been agreed upon for a restructure to decrease his wage cap determine from $48.7 million to $36.7 million, nevertheless it hasn’t been processed with the league. Ryan may very well be traded, however he does have a no-trade clause, so it might get dicey.
Moreover the Falcons, different groups are within the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes?
There’s now an offseason NFC South competitors between the Saints, Panthers, and Falcons to attempt to purchase Watson, the NFL’s passing yardage chief from two seasons in the past. The Browns and Panthers are additionally within the combine.
The Texans wouldn’t grant permission for any group to satisfy with Deshaun Watson except they’ve submitted a commerce proposal. That’s so time isn’t wasted in case Watson didn’t need to waive his no-trade clause if he didn’t just like the group Houston was negotiating with. Thus, all of it quantities to a collaborative course of.
Coming into the method, Watson was anticipated to prioritize groups which can be finest positioned to win a Tremendous Bowl, share his imaginative and prescient for how one can orchestrate an offense, have gifted personnel, and are a tradition match, in response to league sources. Watson is anticipated to conduct his due diligence, simply because the groups are with him.
New Orleans Saints
Particularly, the Saints are a sexy vacation spot with the presence of huge receiver Michael Thomas, working again Alvin Kamara, and a stable offensive line. Many sources have characterised the Saints as a number one candidate for Watson, with others calling it a wide-open course of.
One commerce proposal that might unfold, if a deal is labored out with the Saints, can be three first-round draft picks, different draft capital, and doubtlessly a participant. One participant that may very well be a part of a Watson commerce that league sources characterised as a doubtlessly sturdy match is offensive guard Cesar Ruiz, a former first-round draft decide from Michigan.
One other participant that sources predict can be a part of a possible Saints commerce is offensive deal with Ryan Ramczyk. Defensive finish Marcus Davenport, defensive deal with David Onyemata, and middle Erik McCoy are additionally different logical gamers that bear watching in a possible commerce, sources stated.
As a result of the Saints’ first-round draft decide in 2022 is 18th general, the Texans would need that choice together with 2023 and 2024 first-round picks along with second-rounders.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers stay firmly within the combine and have made aggressive commerce gives, per sources. The Panthers are in determined want of a quarterback improve. Panthers proprietor David Tepper has executed vital work personally on this example and is “all-in” on Watson, in response to league sources not approved to talk publicly.
The Panthers have been enamored with Watson, who handed for a league-high 4,833 yards with 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2020, for over a 12 months. Tepper even employed an investigator to come back to Houston to do an intensive look into his authorized points, per sources.
Apart from the Eagles, whose basic supervisor, Howie Roseman, contacted Watson’s legal professional Rusty Hardin final 12 months and despatched an investigator to Houston earlier than transferring on from the state of affairs when it grew to become identified that Watson wasn’t inclined to waive his no-trade clause for the NFC East franchise, no NFL group has carried out as a lot due diligence because the Panthers.
The Panthers have the sixth general decide in 2022, and the Texans personal the third general choice. Sources say the Panthers can be unlikely to commerce Brian Burns or Jeremy Chinn, however different gamers that may very well be concerned in a possible Watson deal are huge receiver DJ Moore and working again Christian McCaffrey.
Cleveland Browns
If the Texans traded Watson to the Browns, which isn’t considered the almost certainly situation, sources stated they wouldn’t need Cleveland beginning quarterback Baker Mayfield as a part of the deal.
The Browns aren’t offered on Mayfield as their starter and will look to commerce him to a different group even when they don’t purchase Watson.
Grand jury determination has elevated commerce talks
Since Watson’s authorized victory final Friday when a grand jury declined to cost him after 9 felony complaints alleging sexual misconduct and inappropriate habits throughout his therapeutic massage remedy periods, his commerce market has skyrocketed.
That authorized readability set a quick pathway for Watson to maneuver on along with his profession in one other NFL metropolis. In return, the Texans will acquire the mandatory draft capital and gamers to speed up their rebuilding efforts.
“A complete game-changer,” a supply stated. “It’s a victory for Deshaun. It’s a win for the Texans, and it’s a win for the NFL groups that need him. That is big. There are a ton of groups .”
