The first domino on the expected QB carousel crashed. Matthew Stafford traded with the Rams for picks and Jared Goff. It’s an incredible way to start an off-season period before the 2020-21 season is over.
It was an interesting exchange because the immediate reaction among Jets fans revolved around what it means for Watson. If Stafford gives you a QB with two Pro Bowls to his name, 107 touchdown passes and 18,000 yards in 5 years, what will it take to make Watson a much better player?
There are many aspects to this Lions / Rams business. Goff’s contract, which is difficult in the short term, but can easily be terminated by Lions in the future, and the fact that the first two who are going to Detroit are likely to be among the 25-32 choices.
After a period of reflection, several analysts, including scriptwriters from Houston, said the Stafford deal did not really touch the needle in terms of Deshaun Watson’s cost.
John McClain of the Houston chronicle reiterated that the cost for Watson would be two first, two seconds and two defensive matches, at least, which made me think of Quinnen Williams.
I asked my Twitter followers if they would make a switch that consisted of the first two, a second and Quinnen Williams.
If Texans said they would take first 2, 1 second and Quinnen Williams, would you do that for a QB franchise?
– David Wyatt-Hupton (@DWyattHupton) January 31, 2021
As of this morning, 58% said yes, reluctantly that they would negotiate. However, 42% said they would not do this negotiation. Which means that, in essence, the inclusion of Quinnen Williams was an obstacle for many.
I waited to give my opinion on this to try to avoid influencing people in one way or another. However, I found it very interesting that a large part of the base would not part with a defensive tackle and three selections for a 25-year QB franchise that comes from an excellent season in a horrible team.
Let me start by saying that if I were a GM, I would do everything in my power to ensure that Quinnen Williams is not included in this business. It would be a last resort, where Houston said it’s Williams or we switched it elsewhere.
Williams is an excellent talent, with the potential to be a regular All-Pro. In 2020 he had 40 tackles, 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 23 QB hurries, 8 QB hits and 38 stops. He is 23 years old and the expectation is that he will only get better and better. In defense of Saleh, the expectation is that he will be an internal force of DT.
However, no matter how good a DT, you will let that stop you from acquiring a 25-year-old QB, coming from a season when he threw 4823 yards for 33 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, while also running for 444 yards and More 3 scores?
In my opinion, it all comes down to a simple question: is it easier to find a good defensive substitute or franchise QB? Consider the defensive lineman that the Jets have had in the past 10 years, and then consider how many appearances in the playoffs we’ve made.
Ideally, you have both. You can get Watson without giving up on Williams, that’s the perfect scenario. However, with that hypothesis, I found it interesting that many people were ready to switch from Watson to Williams (and the choices in the first round, of course).
If you’re Houston, you need all the help you can get. You have no space limit, no draft choices and no defense. I mean, their defense was historically bad last year. So Quinnen Williams and a few first ones can be very attractive to them.
I wanted to know your opinion about GGN members, would you change Williams, the first two (say the second and the first in Seattle next year) and a second round choice for Watson? There is no guarantee that Houston would accept this agreement, but let’s just say, for the sake of discussion, yes. You tried to get them to do the first one in Seattle this year to keep the valuable number 2, but they are not moving. You tried to include other players, but again they insist on Williams, do you make that deal?