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2021 NFL Draft: Deshaun Watson on the move in latest NFL mock draft

By A.J. Fagerlin

Nov 26, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4), who could be traded prior to the 2021 NFL Draft, smiles in the huddle during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4), who could be traded prior to the 2021 NFL Draft, smiles in the huddle during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Deshaun Watson, New York Jets, Houston Texans, 2021 NFL Draft
Dec 15, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4), a possible trade target of the New York Jets heading into the 2021 NFL Draft, points at the line of scrimmage against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Surprise! It doesn’t take long in this 2021 NFL Draft mock to find our first and our biggest blockbuster trade. Here, Joe Douglas and the New York Jets take out a slight mortgage on the future of their franchise in hopes of securing the quarterback that they’ve been searching for for years.

Watson, who is just 25 years old, has already proven to be one of the absolute best quarterbacks in the National Football League. Even though his team struggled this season, Watson still led the league in passing and when he had more sufficient support around him in the past, he has led his team to the playoffs on multiple occasions, even winning a playoff game.

The New York Jets have not had much luck when trying to find a franchise quarterback. Draft after draft, player after player, the Jets just have not found someone that has really clicked. Sam Darnold certainly still has some potential, but I think it would be best for both sides to get a fresh start.

Starting with a proven, yet promising young player like Watson would be an incredible opportunity for the Jets and new head coach Robert Saleh. Sure, giving up three total first-round picks is never an easy thing to do for a GM, but I think Watson is well worth it. Especially when you are still left with a first-rounder in each of the next two drafts from Seattle.

Quarterback. Zach Wilson. 10. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. BYU. 2. player

With the first pick acquired from the New York Jets, the Houston Texans try to find their replacement for Deshaun Watson in Zach Wilson. No player in the 2021 NFL Draft can immediately fill the shoes of a player like Deshaun Watson, but Wilson has the potential to work his way to that level.

The sky is the ceiling for a player like Zach Wilson. He has pretty clearly the most live and talented arm in the 2021 NFL Draft and shows flashes of pure greatness that few before him possess.

Wilson has an absolute cannon for an arm, launching deep balls down the field with ease. He also excels on the move, evading pressuring, buying time and making a spectacular play.

While Wilson will need time to improve his processing and consistency, his upside is something that will have teams salivating over. If you can buy some time to allow Wilson to sit back and learn, he could develop into something really special.

Even if you end up playing him right away, I’m confident that Wilson will find a way to succeed. He plays and leads with a certain swagger that is just hard to doubt. Pair Wilson with a creative offensive coaching staff and maybe let him learn behind a savvy veteran for a year or so and he could end up being one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, like Deshaun Watson.

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