Denver Broncos: What is the best trade scenario for Deshaun Watson?

As the Denver Broncos enter the 2021 offseason, many storylines have emerged from teams and players. However, one story to watch dominates the others: Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans.

Deshaun has made it clear that he is frustrated by the Texans’ front office and ownership, and wants to be traded away. On the other side, the Texans’ organization has made it clear that they have no intentions of trading their franchise player away.

While many assume that Watson will eventually be traded, a trade may come later than many expect. Watson’s no-trade clause gives the Texans limited say in where Watson can be traded.

While teams like the New York Jets have more compensation to send to the Texans in return for Watson, Deshaun has the final say in where he is willing to be traded to. This gives the Denver Broncos a glimmer of hope in acquiring a superstar like Watson.

As the offseason chugs along, the most likely scenario for Watson is that he will be traded late in the offseason, or potentially in the middle of the 2021 NFL Season. This would be the perfect scenario for the Denver Broncos to potentially acquire Deshaun Watson.

Here’s why:

1. Watson’s trade value will likely decrease the longer the standoff continues

While the Texans’ front office continues to claim that Watson isn’t available for trade, many have speculated that the price to acquire Watson would be substantial. The predominant idea is that the compensation to acquire Watson would likely include three or four 1st round picks, and at least two defensive starters.

This is a massive haul even for a player of Deshaun Watson’s caliber, but the standoff between the two parties may play into the Broncos’ favor. If the standoff continues into the 2021 regular season, the asking price for Watson may drop significantly as the Texans look to move on from Watson.

A good reference to look at would be the trade for Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Fransisco 49ers for a 2nd round pick by the New England Patriots. Many believed Garoppolo was unlikely to be moved, or that he would only be made available for a high asking price.

The Patriots finally relented after a talk between Tom Brady and ownership, and Garoppolo was eventually sent to the 49ers for a relatively small return. While Watson will inevitably fetch much more compensation, a similar scenario could happen in Houston.

If the asking price for Deshaun Watson comes into the area of two 1st round picks and a small package of players, the Denver Broncos should be all in on forming an attractive offer to Houston. Watson may ultimately force the Texans’ organization to send him elsewhere, but if the price is right, the Broncos should jump at the opportunity to acquire Deshaun Watson.