The Atlanta Falcons’ management workforce 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 licensed to talk publicly.
Particulars of the Falcons’ assembly with Deshaun Watson
The Falcons rolled out the proverbial “purple 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 — taking part in close to his hometown of Gainesville, Ga. for the franchise he grew up working for as a ball boy and idolizing his good friend and mentor, former star quarterback Michael Vick.
Whether or not Watson finally chooses the Falcons or opts for the workforce thought to be a frontrunner for his providers — the New Orleans Saints — stays the most important plotline of the NFL offseason. Watson is without doubt one of the most dynamic gamers within the recreation no matter place and is the highest participant out there through a commerce within the league.
The Falcons’ conferences adopted earlier conferences and commerce proposals from the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and Carolina Panthers with the three earlier ones performed in Houston, in response to league sources.
No commerce is imminent right now as Watson continues to ponder which workforce he would waive his no-trade clause for, per league sources.
The Atlanta assembly marked Watson’s fourth this week and adopted the Saints and Panthers assembly with him Monday, and the Browns touring to Houston to fulfill with him on Tuesday, per sources.
Perception into the Falcons’ commerce curiosity
The Texans need three first-round draft picks, extra draft capital, and maybe a participant or two. The Falcons maintain the eighth total decide of the primary spherical along with a pair of second-round picks: No. 43 total and No. 58 total. One participant league sources theorize that might be a part of a potential commerce with the Texans is Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, a tall outdoors 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 common supervisor Rick Smith orchestrated a commerce to land the previous Clemson star. The presence of tight finish Kyle Pitts can be among the many pluses of the Falcons’ roster.
The Falcons’ scenario is difficult because of the 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, however it hasn’t been processed with the league. Ryan might be traded, however he does have a no-trade clause, so it might get dicey.
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.
Moreover the Falcons, different groups are within the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes?
The Texans wouldn’t grant permission for any workforce to fulfill with Deshaun Watson until they’ve submitted a commerce proposal. That’s so time isn’t wasted in case Watson waives his no-trade clause, which Watson must log off. Thus, all of it quantities to a collaborative course of.
Watson is predicted to prioritize groups which can be greatest positioned to win a Tremendous Bowl, share his imaginative and prescient for the way to orchestrate an offense, have proficient personnel, and are a tradition match, in response to league sources. Watson is predicted to conduct his due diligence, simply because the groups are with him.
New Orleans Saints
Specifically, the Saints are a horny vacation spot with the presence of broad receiver Michael Thomas, operating 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 would unfold, if a deal is labored out with the Saints, could be three first-round draft picks, different draft capital, and probably a participant. One participant that might be a part of a Watson commerce that league sources characterised as a probably robust match is offensive guard Cesar Ruiz, a former first-round draft decide from Michigan.
One other participant that sources predict could be a part of a possible Saints commerce is offensive sort out Ryan Ramczyk. Defensive finish Marcus Davenport, defensive sort out David Onyemata, and middle Erik McCoy are additionally different logical gamers that bear watching in a possible commerce, sources mentioned.
As a result of the Saints’ first-round draft decide in 2022 is 18th total, 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 provides, per sources. The Panthers are in determined want of a quarterback improve. Panthers proprietor David Tepper has accomplished important work personally on this case and is “all-in” on Watson, in response to league sources not licensed 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 return to Houston to do an intensive look into his authorized points, per sources.
Aside from the Eagles, whose common supervisor, Howie Roseman, contacted Watson’s legal professional Rusty Hardin final 12 months and despatched an investigator to Houston earlier than shifting on from the scenario when it grew to become identified that Watson wasn’t inclined to waive his no-trade clause for the NFC East franchise, no NFL workforce has performed as a lot due diligence because the Panthers.
The Panthers have the sixth total decide in 2022, and the Texans personal the third total choice. Sources say the Panthers could be unlikely to commerce Brian Burns or Jeremy Chinn, however different gamers that might be concerned in a possible Watson deal are broad receiver DJ Moore and operating again Christian McCaffrey.
Cleveland Browns
If the Texans traded Watson to the Browns, which isn’t thought to be the probably situation, sources mentioned they wouldn’t need Cleveland beginning quarterback Baker Mayfield as a part of the deal.
The Browns aren’t bought on Mayfield as their starter and will look to commerce him to a different workforce 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 conduct throughout his therapeutic massage remedy classes, his commerce market has skyrocketed.
That authorized readability set a quick pathway for Watson to maneuver on together with his profession in one other NFL metropolis. In return, the Texans will acquire the required draft capital and gamers to speed up their rebuilding efforts.
“A complete game-changer,” a supply mentioned. “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 .”
