If available, would you trade for Deshaun Watson?

[Spider-Dan]

This article about the Texans' front office is BRUTAL.

https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/01/16/texans-chaos-deshaun-watson-unhappy-how-jack-easterby-kept-his-job

On a related note, I thought Watson was dumb for signing a big deal with HOU last summer, but this shows why I'm not an agent.  Had he refused to sign that deal:

1) he would have less money in his pocket today
2) he would be getting franchised right now
3) he would have much less leverage than he currently enjoys

[EDGECRUSHER]

In the NFL, you have to take the money. Injuries happen and careers are short, just look at Dak Prescott.

Watson was smart and that front office is a disgrace. They have 1 good player and treat him like shit.

[Spider-Dan]

Watson at QB ain't going to fix any of that, if anything it makes the situation worse because the loss of picks and salary cap space robs us the ability to do it.

Do you think the Dolphins would be better off or worse off if they traded Tua+3 firsts for Patrick Mahomes this offseason?

[Downunder Dolphan]

Do you think the Dolphins would be better off or worse off if they traded Tua+3 firsts for Patrick Mahomes this offseason?

Interesting hypothetical. Mahomes has already achieved: Superbowl Championship (at least one), Superbowl MVP, NFL Player of the Year, NFL Offensive Player of the Year - that's rarified air already, in the realms of Rodgers, Manning, Brady in just three full seasons. That's truly Elite.

The way he marshals that Chiefs team, the fact that we have already seen how average they are without him. Admittedly it is a well coached roster with a fair amount of talent, and yeah, an explosive package called Tyreek Hill that we have absolutely nothing like.

Overall I think he would make our team better off, and yeah, I would at least think about it. Denver took the risk with Manning and that paid off. Tampa Bay ditto with Brady and that's looking good for them. They were both a lot older, but neither team had to give up any draft picks to get them either - on the flip side Denver were well and truly loaded with talent on the whole roster and Manning was the missing piece. I wouldn't have picked it at the beginning of the season, but Tampa is close to looking the same (I guess we will find out in two weeks). I think Miami has more significant deficiencies in their list in comparison.

Plus I still think it goes against the grain of what Flores and Grier are building, what they have done to date to put the team together.

[Spider-Dan]

The reason why I ask about Mahomes is: if you think MIA doesn't have enough supporting talent and they can't spare the picks or the cap hit, Mahomes doesn't solve any of those problems.  But I think most fans (and coaches, and GMs, and owners) would absolutely jump to get him on their team.

If you don't think Watson is a legitimate superstar, then fine; we can discuss that on the merits.  But if you don't think any QB is worth giving up cap space and picks... sorry, I can't agree.  The main reason you have draft picks is in the hope that every decade or two, you get a player as impactful as Watson.  MIA has thrown draft picks in the trash year after year due to poor selections, so I don't know that giving up draft picks for a proven player is much of a detriment.

Furthermore, even if we keep Tua and he turns out to be a superstar like Watson, he'll soon be taking up a big chunk of the cap for at least a decade, during which MIA would still be expected to compete.  Hell, KC just gave Mahomes the single biggest contract in pro sports, and they're back in the Super Bowl.

[Downunder Dolphan]

The reason why I ask about Mahomes is: if you think MIA doesn't have enough supporting talent and they can't spare the picks or the cap hit, Mahomes doesn't solve any of those problems.  But I think most fans (and coaches, and GMs, and owners) would absolutely jump to get him on their team.

Yeah, which is why I agonized over my reply. Yes I would love Mahomes on my team. Yes he would make it better. Would it make it us an instant Superbowl contender for next year? Given our deficiencies, I doubt it, but we would be a bit closer. Then comes the $64 question - how much better would we be if we fix our holes with the draft picks (and salary cap used) and if Tua improves rapidly?

If you don't think Watson is a legitimate superstar, then fine; we can discuss that on the merits.  

I think that's the main kicker for me. I just don't see him as being in the same league as Mahomes, Rodgers, or Manning/Brady in their prime. Throw in the cost by the way of draft picks and salary and to me it's not even worth thinking about.

Furthermore, even if we keep Tua and he turns out to be a superstar like Watson, he'll soon be taking up a big chunk of the cap for at least a decade, during which MIA would still be expected to compete.  Hell, KC just gave Mahomes the single biggest contract in pro sports, and they're back in the Super Bowl.

Tua's on a four year rookie contract - if he blossoms into a bona fide superstar I don't think anyone will be complaining about the next contract. We've got him cheap until then.

[Spider-Dan]

Just to address an earlier point:

DEN's record in the five years before Peyton arrived:
7-9, 8-8, 8-8, 4-12, 8-8 (35-45)

TB's record in the five years before Brady arrived:
6-10, 9-7, 5-11, 5-11, 7-9 (32-48)

And just for good measure...
NO's record in the five years before Brees arrived:
7-9, 9-7, 8-8, 8-8, 3-13 (35-45)

For comparison, MIA's record over the last five seasons:
10-6, 6-10, 7-9, 5-11, 10-6 (38-42)

A great QB can immediately solve a lot of problems on your team.  You don't need to have a pre-built contender before they arrive.

[Downunder Dolphan]

Just to clarify an earlier point:

DEN's record in the five years before Peyton arrived:
7-9, 8-8, 8-8, 4-12, 8-8

TB's record in the five years before Brady arrived:
6-10, 9-7, 5-11, 5-11, 7-9

And just for good measure...
NO's record in the five years before Brees arrived:
7-9, 9-7, 8-8, 8-8, 3-13

A great QB can immediately solve a lot of problems on your team.  You don't need to have a contender before they arrive.

Denver won a wildcard game against the Steelers the year before Peyton arrived: like I said they had a lot of pieces already in place, but Peyton was a hell of an upgrade on Tebow!

Tampa & New Orleans not only got new QBs, they got quality new head coaches that year too.  I do get your point though.

[Spider-Dan]

Minor correction there:
TB didn't get a new coach in TB. Bruce Arians went 7-9 in TB last year with Jameis Winston as his QB. 

[CF DolFan]

Chris Mortensen reports that no matter who Houston hires as head coach, Watson still wants out. If he is even considering the Jets, then he is using his emotions over his brain and I don't think that will play well with Flores and our team.

Today it comes out that according to sources the Jets are NOT his first choice. I can't help but hear people like Joe Rose saying ... "Don't forget, Watson hasn't actually said anything about wanting to be traded etc." ... LMAO. He could stay with Houston never having said anything negative about them publicly with a lot of reporters with egg on their face.  

[EDGECRUSHER]

Today it comes out that according to sources the Jets are NOT his first choice. I can't help but hear people like Joe Rose saying ... "Don't forget, Watson hasn't actually said anything about wanting to be traded etc." ... LMAO. He could stay with Houston never having said anything negative about them publicly with a lot of reporters with egg on their face.  

I feel like this is just Houston leaking stuff to jack up a potential trade package for him, especially from Miami. Yes, he hates management and doesn't want to lose but he probably doesn't want to go to an even worse team. Only a few logical landing spots and Miami is far and away #1.

To me, this is controlled leaking to the media by ownership and his own agent. If Watson had no intention of leaving Houston and wants to stay, he would've said so by now. There is smoke because there is a fire.

[Seafort]

Watson is definitely that big of an upgrade over Tua, at least the 2020 version of Tua. I am not giving up on the kid and I expect much better play in 2021, but we just went 10-6 and have a lot of young talent. Watson is the type of guy that makes us Superbowl contenders right now. Not saying we need to make the trade but it would absolutely improve us in the next few seasons.

It would not improve the Jets to the point of contention so that would be a stupid trade for them.

I would rather have an army of new weapons around Tua than Watson with no weapons to throw to.

[ArtieChokePhin]

I would rather have an army of new weapons around Tua than Watson with no weapons to throw to.

If you can trade for Watson without giving up your #3 pick, you'll have a shot at getting some weapons for him to throw to.

[EDGECRUSHER]

The Texans have hired David Culley to be their head coach. He has been in the league since 1994 and basically has not had great success recently in his various roles. He has also never called plays but he appears to be a nice guy that people like.

Basically, a garbage hire from a garbage organization. This will probably make Watson want to leave even more now so we get a few more months of trade rumors. I still say trading Watson and finally doing a full rebuild is what this franchise needs but I don't care about them or their ability to make the right decision so *shoulder shrug*.

[EDGECRUSHER]

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Watson has officially requsted a trade. Not a surprise based off of the moves they have done recently to piss him off and disrespect him.

Now, we see how much he wants out of Houston and how much he wants to win. There are only a few legit suitors for him in terms of winning teams with cap space and draft capital. If he is willing to go to another joke franchise like the Jets then all bets are off and we shouldn't even bother bidding.