He has been working with a renowned QB guy for just two months and his mechanics have changed enough to create noticeably better ball velocity and accuracy. Imagine what he can accomplish with a steady coach in a system for a couple of seasons. Dude is a worker and winner and a respected leader. I think he has great upside.
Not a fan of this pick. If given the choice of getting a QB in the 1st rd one yr & a QB in the mid rounds the other yr. I most definitely go mid rounds this yr and move up to get a much better quality QB (imo) next yr. Now the Texans have no 1st & 2nd rounders next yr. I wanted to deal with Browns moving back into the 2nd round and get multiple picks as the draft happens; not mortgage the future for an interception happy guy. @liveguy I saw what you wrote in post #6 of this thread. The reverse is people high on D Watson have their franchise QB to train......I don't want to hear the same people telling me the Texans need to draft another QB next year.........or the next 3 yrs. You got your Geno Smith, Bridgewater, Ponder, Tannehill, Bortles, Osweiler, Mallett, Manziel, Goff, etc. The guy the media says can make all the throws.
image: http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/texansb_logo.gif Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson: C- Grade Yuck. This seems like a major panic move, as the Texans really wanted Pat Mahomes, but couldn't get him because of the Chiefs. Deshaun Watson was graded as a third-round prospect by some of the smartest front offices in the NFL. They didn't like his vision or his inability to progress through reads. He then measured in with the worst ball velocity at the combine, and his Wonderlic score was sub par. This is a major reach, and I hate that Houston surrendered its first-round pick in 2018 to get Watson. The 2018 class is going to be great, and now Houston won't have a pick in the first two rounds next April. That said, this isn't an "F" or even a "D" because the Texans had no other choice. They couldn't start Tom Savage. Read more at http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades.php#L5KmMJBGBHXPS3tQ.99
We'll see.... And when he becomes who i said he was, *salute. Texans had nothing to lose by the move. So when it ends up being a good...naw...GREAT move...then what? We gone seeeeeee!
We lost a first rounder Our next coach is gonna start off without a first and second pick in his first draft
Trying to get more info on the kid, looks like there's a lot of mix evaluations on him. Here's an older article from profootball focus. https://www.profootballfocus.com/college-what-makes-deshaun-watson-a-2016-heisman-front-runner/. Spoiler 2015 Heisman finalist quarterback Deshaun Watson carried the Clemson Tigers to within a score of the national championship. Although they fell just short in the big game, they enter 2016 as again one of the top title contenders, and Watson is the biggest reason for that positive outlook. The Tigers’ defense could realistically take a step backward next season, after the graduation of a number of starters. But a more experienced Watson should improve Clemson’s scoring unit. His form at the end of 2015 certainly suggests that a Heisman-caliber season is on the horizon. Let’s look at why Watson should have an excellent 2016 campaign: 1. He excels on downfield throws Watson’s late-season exploits included a number of long touchdown throws, with the QB consistently making big plays in the clutch. Overall, Watson was accurate on 47.5 percent of his deep targets, throwing for 1,196 yards and 18 touchdowns on passes of 20-plus yards. Only Bowling Green’s Matt Johnson found paydirt on more occasions in 2015. Watson was a little aggressive on occasion, throwing seven picks on deep targets, but he made many more positive plays than mistakes, especially late in the year. Watson’s arm talent is very impressive (more on that below), but he isn’t just a fastball thrower, as he shows impressive touch down the field. Clemson’s postseason run started in the ACC Championship game, with Watson leading the team over North Carolina in a shootout. The play below illustrates the type of plays he can make down the field. The location on this deep sideline throw is perfect. Watson flashed his downfield touch consistently over the final few games. He doesn’t try to throw the ball too hard, instead putting enough air under it to allow his receiver to get into position. He can also throw with touch to the intermediate level, particularly in the red zone, and at all levels he shows the ability to take heat off the ball when required. 2. He is very effective at throwing on the move Another of Watson’s key traits, highlighted by the above throw against North Carolina, is his ability to throw on the run. He’s moving to his strong side (the right) while throwing that touchdown strike, but he also shows the ability to throw with accuracy while moving to his left. Watson’s athleticism, and physical capabilities in general, are unmatched among FBS quarterbacks. The threat he poses on the ground, coupled with his accuracy on the move, makes Clemson’s quarterback an absolute nightmare to defend. 3. His running ability makes him a genuine dual-threat Some quarterbacks pose a hindrance with their ability to scramble. Watson’s talent in the open field makes him an even more problematic opponent. He can easily break off long runs when his receivers are covered, as well as pose a threat on designed quarterback runs. Quarterbacks are traditionally at an athletic disadvantage in the open-field, but Watson defies convention. He has the vision, speed and ankle-breaking agility to thrive as a pure runner. Watson’s rushing grade ranked fourth in the nation among returning QBs, after he posted over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground in 2016. 4. He has the arm strength to fit throws into tight windows As much as Watson relies on his ability to put touch on the football, his complete skill set makes him a dominant quarterback. He can avoid the risk involved in tight windows with the kind of heat most quarterbacks are unable to achieve, and it allows him to throw late against zone coverage on occasion. Most passers would end up with multiple interceptions on those types of high-risk passes, but Watson’s physical gifts bail him out regularly. The below example, even though the pass was dropped, makes his prodigious arm talent evident. 5. He has room to get even better As should be clear by now, Watson has plenty of positive traits. His main negative to this point in his career has been a dramatic drop-off in performance under pressure. He ranked 68th of 70 qualifiers in adjusted completion percentage against the rush, throwing with precision on a lowly 47.6 percent of passes. Watson recorded a relatively disappointing -10.6 grade, and a QB rating of only 68.0. In addition to the six interceptions he threw against pressure, the Clemson standout missed some easy throws when disrupted in the pocket. If he can improve in that area, Watson will be unstoppable in 2016. He was so far advanced that it’s remarkable to imagine him in only his second college season. He may well end up as the first overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, especially if he’s able to iron out the minor flaws in his game. His physical profile, athletic talent and passing skills make Watson one of college football’s best players, and make Clemson a national title contender. Mike Mayock also has him rated as top rated qb of this class, if you care for his opinion.
I will be the first to admit I'm wrong if and when that day comes. You have one thing correct. The Texans have this yr to burn since nobody will beat the Patriots this yr. Lets see if D Watson can stay healthy where Bridgewater, Geno Smith, and Mariota have not. I defend Rick Smith most often than not. If at the end of the season and it comes down to firing O'Brien or Rick Smith. I would fire Rick Smith over this move and continue with O'Brien. I feel this was a Rick Smith move. Just my opinion. Take care @liveguy.
That lost 1st is actually a second round pick in disguise...which they already (also) lost trading away Brock. Gotta pay to play. Don't sweat it. Texans have *almost* everything they need. Just need a safety in round 2 and stack up on OL. Mix in a TE while they at it. That 1st next season will be negligible assuming they improve on 2016 season, which they will. Key thing everyone needs to understand.... Brock was an OBVIOUS mistake.... Watson will be an OBVIOUS win.... Book it.
Can't judge right away, let him develop and maybe he'll reward you like another South Carolina product who had a rough start to his Texans career.
It's exciting but I'll reserve judgement until training camp when you begin to see the writing on the wall (Wilson, Russell) or if they're terrible (Osweiler, Brock). I really liked how last year the media folks would say "QBs played poorly" which meant Osweiler sucked even from the get go.
Cool. As will i, if i'm wrong... But i have a strong feeling about this kid. Karma. Texans finally did something to cleanse it. It was a good move. You will see.
He was in the conversation for the No.1 pick at the beginning of the season. He's inconsistent but so are a lot of young players(QBs especially). The velocity on his throws is the biggest concern IMO but I have faith in him, and faith in Rick Smith on 1st round picks. Deshaun has the winning gene and the clutch gene. He has a lot to work on and I pray that Savage is the starter game 1, but I'm more optimistic now than I was last year. The trade in a vacuum is a good trade. As long as he allows himself to be coached, which I think he will, I think he'll be alright. Reminder: he doesn't have to be great right now. If he's just ok, the Texans are a Super Bowl contender.
they moved up 13 slots.... That takes more than a little bit... And they didn't give up anything other than speculation, as next year's first could be a bust... Could be a pro bowler too, but who cares...what's done is done. Wish DW and the home team the best and keep it moving.
I would rate Watson as the top QB in this draft as well. But I would give him a grade of about 87 (98 being perfect) Mahomes about 85......Peterman about 83. If you watch the Pitt vs Clemson game on you tube. Both QB's played evenly. Both missed open receivers, both hit open receivers, both threw TD's, both moved their teams....but Watson has Mike Williams and Leggett and Renfro and Cain with Gallman coming out of the backfield. Peterman has ??? Put Peterman on the Clemson team and Watson on the Pitt team and the results may be a whole lot different. Watson was going against one of the worst passing defenses in the game vs Pitt (3 interceptions). Sorry a grade of 87 needs to be in the 2nd round and not rushed in to action year one. Fans are going to demand that Watson plays just like the fans for the Rams were demanding Goff play last year. He is not ready.
