Dan Orlovsky has some optimistic advice for Dave Gettleman.
With the expectation that several organizations will throw their hats in the ring for Deshaun Watson’s draw, Orlovsky says the Giants must be the team to go all-in.
“If I were Dave Gettleman of the New York Giants, I would take Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley and three choices in the first round, and call Houston and not let them talk to me,” The retired Lions quarterback who became an NFL analyst said on ESPN’s “Get Up” program on Friday.
The disaffected Watson has caused quite a stir recently amid the erosion of internal relations with Texans. He formally requested an exchange on Thursday, after months of frustration with the team’s management over the decision to exchange receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the ineptitude of former coach Bill O’Brien and his lack of participation in hiring the new general manager Nick Caserio and head coach David Culley.
Watson, 25, was selected 12th overall in Clemson by the Texans in 2017. He completed 67.8% of his passes for 14,539 yards, 104 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in 54 regular season games and would be a coveted asset for many teams across the league.
“As a general manager right now, if you were going to hit it, that’s the right shot,” said Orlovsky. “As a general manager, the last thing you want to do is look back with regret that we didn’t try hard enough, because we didn’t put in an extra player in the first round, that’s the type of player and person you are going to be with Deshaun Watson. “
The Texans exercised Watson’s fifth year option and awarded him a four-year extension, $ 177.5 million with a banning trading clause before the 2020 NFL season that links him to Houston until 2025. He carries a limit maximum of $ 15.94 million in 2021 with an astronomical limit of $ 67.14 million killed according to Spotrac.
On Friday, the Texans expressed their unwavering interest in keeping Watson in Houston, despite the chaos around them.
“Organizationally, we want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson,” said Caserio. “We have no interest in changing the player.”
“He’s a Houston Texan,” Culley said at his first press conference as head coach. “I want him to be a Houston Texan. The reason I am in this position today is because I know that he will be a Houston Texan. “
Orlovsky acknowledges that a team may have to think outside the box to keep Watson away from the Texans, especially in light of the team competition in the market for a new caller. The Falcons, Bears, Cowboys, Lions, Saints, Eagles, 49ers, Washington, Broncos, Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Patriots, Jets and Steelers have question marks in the quarterback heading for the off-season of 2021.
“What I’m looking at is who, as the general manager, will be creative? How are they going to get one of the best NFL players? ”, Added Orlovsky. “This is the time when you can make your career as a general manager.”
The hypothetical scenario presented would mean to pass Barkley and Jones, who were the Giants’ choices in the first round in consecutive years. These two, plus additional recruiting capital, would be a price that many in the league do not believe the Giants would be willing to pay.
Barkley, 23, has lost 17 games since joining the team in 2018 as the second overall choice. He has 2,344 career yards for 17 touchdowns, as well as 149 receptions for 1,219 reception yards and six reception touchdowns. Jones, also 23, completed 62.2 percent of his passes for 5,970 yards, 35 touchdowns and 22 interceptions in 27 appearances over two seasons.