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I’ve typed these words multiple times. You’ve read these words multiple times. Here they are once again: The Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans are once again talking and working on a Deshaun Watson trade. This time, there are deadlines surrounding it. Before, they were rumors, using words like ‘working on’, ‘feeling out’, and ‘in talks.’ Now a deal could get done as early as this week. The major Texans beat reporters are all on the same page.
Texans, Dolphins could have Deshaun Watson deal done this week https://t.co/yhBcVi26Ds via @houstonchron
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) October 20, 2021
Texans are continuing to discuss potential trade of Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson to the Miami Dolphins and are maintaining hope of hammering out a deal with AFC East franchise, according to league sources. Nothing done yet, though, and other moving parts involved.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 20, 2021
#Texans are working toward a potential deal that would send Deshaun Watson to the Miami Dolphins that could get done this week. If not this week they still hope they can get it done before the Nov 2 trade deadline.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) October 20, 2021
The Dolphins are 1-5. They suffered through Jacoby Brissett after another Tua Tagovailoa injury. Their offensive line is still a mess. They still can’t run the ball. Their defense has fallen from a top ten unit, especially against the pass, to one of the worst ones in the NFL as they traded their blitz-heavy attack for more two high shells.
That being said, Miami does have assets. They have young defensive players in Christian Wilkins, Jaelen Phillips, Andrew Van Grinkel, and Jevon Holland. The Texans could acquire Xavien Howard, or Byron Jones, or Emmanuel Ogbah and flip them to a contender who needs talent for a playoff push. Miami of course also has aria Tagovailoa, who has shown some ability to throw the ball down the sideline this season before he got crushed by A.J. Epenesa.
Miami has draft capital to boot. Although they traded their 2022 first to the Eagles in the Jaylen Waddle trade, they have San Francisco’s first round picks in 2022 and 2023. The 49ers are 2-3 at the moment, and those picks, especially the 2022 one, could be worth something more than late round fodder.
I don’t know what a Watson trade to Miami would look like, or the players who could be involved, or the picks that could move. Miami seems more desperate than Houston at the moment. Playoff expectations and empty seats can do that to a team. With Watson’s legal status in question, and with the QB armed with a no-trade clause, there’s a chance something can get done.
As we’ve learned over the years with the Jadeveon Clowney, Laremy Tunsil, and DeAndre Hopkins trades, where there’s smoke there’s usually fire. The embers have been red all summer. Maybe this time they finally combust.
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