AFC East news: Early odds suggest Deshaun Watson ends up in division
The Bills were slightly connected to the mess that is the Texans in recent weeks. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was a candidate for their head coaching job, however, he didn’t get it.
But the Texans could still hold one card that could affect the Bills.
Despite David Culley landing the Texans’ head coaching gig, quarterback Deshaun Watson still wants out. Per Texans Wire on Thursday, Watson has requested a trade despite the recent hire. It was previously reported that Watson had a good rapport with Culley… but evidently not good enough.
So with Watson requesting to be traded, where could he land? According to Odds Shark, the AFC East is looking like a mighty fine place.
In terms of those odds… legitimately every team in the division aside from the Bills has a pretty good look. The clubhouse leader is the Jets at +200, and they’re edging out another AFC East rival, the Dolphins, who have the second-best number at +400.
The fourth-best odds at landing him sit at +900. The Patriots, along with the Panthers, are handed those odds.
Here’s the full breakdown via Odds Shark:
Odds for what team Deshaun Watson will play for next (BetOnline):
Jets +200
Dolphins +400
Saints/49ers +800
Panthers/Patriots +900
Broncos/Colts/Rams +1000
Falcons/Washington/Bears/Jaguars +1200
Raiders/Cowboys +1400
Lions +1600
Eagles +2000
Steelers +2500
Giants/Vikings +2800— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) January 28, 2021
The reason for the Jets and Dolphins being favorites is pretty simple. It starts and ends with the 2021 NFL Draft. In trading for an elite quarterback such as Watson, it would cost a hefty price tag and in most cases in football, that means top draft picks. Not only is that a norm, but if the Texans are set to lose Watson, they’ll certainly want high picks because at the upcoming draft, they don’t have any in the first two rounds.
Ironically enough, the Dolphins hold two first-round picks in 2021, one of is the Texans’ from a previously trade which sits at No. 3. They also have the No. 18 pick. The Jets currently have the No. 2 pick and the Seahawks’ first rounder at No. 27.
In terms of the Bills, they naturally have no reason try to trade for Watson with Josh Allen’s emergence. However, after going 6-0 in the AFC East in 2020? The Bills would be certainly fine with their divisional rivals not acquiring a new quarterback.
