What is happening?
Deshaun Watson, the Texans’ 25-year-old star quarterback, has grown unhappy with management and requested a trade to get out of Houston. Ownership and management reportedly told Watson that he would have a say in the hiring process of the team’s general manager. Watson recommended two candidates and the Texans failed to “consider or consult” those candidates. This upset Watson, and consequently, he feels disrespected and wants out.
Despite having a four-win season in 2020, Watson had his best season as a pro, putting up a league-high 4,823 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns and just seven interceptions on 544 pass attempts.
A superstar quarterback, especially this young, almost never becomes available on the market. Houston is unwavering in their stance and won’t take offers for Watson, but the Clemson alum is adamant in his stance about getting out of Houston. With both sides unwilling to bend, there seems to be a holdout on the horizon.
With his trade request, Watson has named three teams that he would accept a trade to: the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins have their franchise guy in Tua Tagovailoa, but there is some skepticism in the organization due to their belief in him. Would it be worth it for the Dolphins to trade their future away for a top-tier quarterback?
Building around Tua
Loaded with draft capital, $37 million in salary cap space and 23-year-old quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins future has lots of potential. The Dolphins have four selections inside the top 50 picks, including picks three, 18, 36 and 50. The Dolphins’ front office has loved Tua Tagovailoa since he was in college at Alabama. Although his rookie season was a bit underwhelming, he didn’t have many offensive weapons around him.
Tagovailoa played in 10 games, starting nine of them, and had 1,1814 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns and just five interceptions. Tagovailoa led the team to a 6-3 record in his nine starts. The Dolphins skill position players struggled mightily with injuries and COVID-19 concerns and are the biggest needs to fill in the upcoming offseason.
Through the NFL Draft and free agency, the Dolphins will be addressing their skill positions.
With $37 million in salary cap, the Dolphins will be buyers in free agency. Wide receiver, running back and offensive line are the biggest needs. The WR free agents are as deep as ever. There is a top running back on the market. One of the best centers in the NFL will be available.
In the draft, the Dolphins will be addressing their needs after free agency and that will definitely have an impact on their selections. Much like free agency, the Dolphins will be filling holes at wide receiver, running back, offensive line and on the defensive side of the ball, too.
If they keep Tagovailoa, the team could for sure make a jump to the playoffs with their offseason additions, though it seems the young team may be a year or two away from its full potential. They are far from a lock to make the playoffs.
Trading for Watson
To trade for Deshaun Watson, Houston’s asking price is reportedly two first-round picks, two second-round picks and two defensive starters. The Dolphins would have to be willing to trade away their future for the star quarterback.
The team wouldn’t be able to address their skill positions as much as they would be able to if they didn’t do the trade. The Dolphins will have significantly less money than $37 million due to Watson’s expensive contract, though they may be able to afford a top-tier wide receiver in free agency. If the Dolphins could acquire Watson and sign a wide receiver in free agency, their offense would be one of the better ones in the league.
The Watson acquisition would eliminate the team’s early draft picks. The Dolphins would be using their later picks to help them win now, rather than a project like the Noah Igbinoghene selection from a year ago. Should the trade happen, the Dolphins would most likely keep one of their second-round picks in the 2021 Draft.
If the Dolphins choose to acquire Watson, they will become immediate Super Bowl contenders, though they would be sacrificing a youth movement and an expensive free agency. They would also be sacrificing a defensive starter or two. The Dolphins had the sixth ranked defense last season yet missed the playoffs due to an inconsistent offense. The Watson acquisition would elevate the team to a playoff lock.
What is the right decision?
The Dolphins decision should be based on a few things. Free agency will be a large telling. If they spend big money on free agents, they won’t be able to afford Watson. Consequently, any players that the Dolphins are targeting may get franchise tagged, preventing them from hitting the open market. Additionally, the Dolphins main trade assets are their 2021 NFL Draft selections. If the trade doesn’t happen by April 29 (draft day), it won’t happen at all.
When a quarterback like Watson becomes available, every team in the NFL that doesn’t have a top quarterback should be all over him. The Dolphins are lucky enough to have been named as a possible location for the star quarterback and will have a tough decision to make. If Houston changes their stance at any point and the Dolphins can make the trade happen, Watson will be wearing aqua and orange without question.
