The Denver Broncos are expected to aggressively pursue Deshaun Watson if the Houston Texans grant the quarterback’s trade request this offseason. Denver will have plenty of competition if Watson hits the trade market.
The Carolina Panthers will make a “strong run” at Watson if he becomes available and the Miami Dolphins “expect to be in the mix” as well.
The New York Jets are also believed to be interested in Watson but they are “probably not” among the teams he is intrigued by. Watson knows that if the Jets trade for him, it would hurt their chances of building a talented roster around him. That seems to suggest that Watson wants to go to a team with an established core in place.
The Broncos’ core on offense includes wide receivers Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick and KJ Hamler and tight ends Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam. Denver also has two talented running backs in Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay (assuming Lindsay is tendered).
In addition to the Panthers, Dolphins and Jets, a fourth team might also give the Broncos competition in potential Watson trade talks.
The San Francisco 49ers are well-positioned to wait out the Texans because they have a fallback quarterback option in Jimmy Garoppolo. Denver has a similar fallback QB in Drew Lock. If Houston does not trade Watson before or during the NFL draft, that might leave the 49ers and Broncos as the favorites because New York and Carolina will likely make QB moves in the draft if they don’t land Watson.
Miami also has a fallback QB in Tua Tagovailoa, but they would become a less intriguing trade partner for the Texans if the Dolphins use their two first-round draft picks in April. The draft will be a key date to watch in the Watson saga this offseason.
If Watson is still on Houston’s roster in May, that might improve Denver’s chances of landing the three-time Pro Bowler. San Francisco would be another team to watch after the draft.
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