The Jets may be facing a conundrum in a potential pursuit of Deshaun Watson.
While at least one report has tabbed the Jets as Watson’s preferred destination in a trade, the Texans’ disgruntled star quarterback reportedly knows the haul of draft picks they could give up to land him might be a double-edged sword.
“… [Watson] is aware that any trade with New York would limit the Jets’ ability to build a quality roster around him,” The Athletic reported on Thursday as part of a deep dive on how Watson’s time in Houston soured.
While the Texans have insisted they do not intend to trade Watson, despite his request, the Houston Chronicle previously reported that their asking price for him would be at least two first-round picks, two second-round picks and two young defensive starters.
The Jets have two first-round picks in each of the next two drafts — including the No. 2 and No. 23 picks this April — but the package that it might take to trade for Watson could certainly be costly for a team coming off a 2-14 season that is not stocked with talent and has plenty of holes to fill.
Watson has a no-trade clause that could give him some say where he goes when and if the Texans move forward with negotiations.
In the meantime, Watson and his circle are still waiting for a trade as the NFL’s quarterback carousel continues to spin — with the Eagles’ trade of Carson Wentz to the Colts on Thursday the latest deal to go down.
“What’s the criteria for a quarterback asking to get traded, then actually getting traded?” Quincy Avery, Watson’s personal quarterback coach, tweeted shortly after Wentz got his reported trade wish fulfilled. “Asking for a friend.”