The first domino in the expected QB carousel has fallen. Matthew Stafford traded the Rams for picks and Jared Goff. It’s a great way to start an off-season before the 2020-21 season even ends.
It was an interesting trade because the immediate reaction among Jets fans focused on what it means to Watson. If Stafford gets you a QB who has two Pro Bowls to his credit, 107 touchdowns and 18,000 yards in 5 years, what does it take to get Watson, a much better player?
There are many aspects that Lions / Rams cover. The Goff contract, which is short-lived but can be abandoned quite easily by the Lions on the road, and the fact that the two firsts heading to Detroit are likely to be between points 25-32.
After a cooling off period, several analysts, including Houston beat writers, said the Stafford deal did not really turn the needle on Deshaun Watson’s costs.
The Houston Chronicle’s John McClain reiterated that the charge for Watson would be two firsts, two seconds and two defensive starters, which got me thinking about Quinnen Williams.
I asked my Twitter followers if they would like to make a transaction consisting of two firsts, a second and Quinnen Williams.
If the Texans said they would accept 2 scoops, 1 second and Quinnen Williams, would you do that for a franchise QB?
– David Wyatt-Hupton (@DWyattHupton) January 31, 2021
As of this morning, 58% said yes, reluctantly they would make that transaction. However, 42% said they wouldn’t make that transaction. This means that the inclusion of Quinnen Williams was essentially a deal-breaker for many.
I waited to give my opinion on this to try not to get people swinging in some way. However, I found it very interesting that much of the base wouldn’t give up with a defensive tackle and three selections for a 25-year-old franchise QB who has had a fantastic season in a terrible team.
Let me preface this by saying that if I were GM I would do everything I could to make sure that Quinnen Williams was not involved in this deal. It would be a last resort where Houston said it’s Williams or we’re trading him elsewhere.
Williams is a great talent, with the potential to become a regular All-Pro. In 2020, he had 40 tackles, 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 23 QB rush, 8 QB hits and 38 stops. He is 23 years old and it is expected that he will only get better and better. In Saleh’s defense, he is expected to be a force inside at DT.
But no matter how good a DT is, don’t let that stop you from acquiring a QB that’s 25, there comes a season where he threw 4,823 yards for 33 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, while also rushing for 444 yards and Still 3 scores?
I think it boils down to a simple question: is it easier to find a very good replacement defensive gear or a franchise QB? Consider the defensive lineman the Jets have had for the past 10 years, then consider how many playoff appearances we’ve made.
Ideally, you have both. If you manage to catch Watson without giving up Williams, that’s the perfect scenario. However, with this hypothetical aspect, I found it interesting that many people were willing to give up Watson for Williams (and the first round, of course).
If you are Houston, you need all the help you can get. You have no cap space, you have no draft picks, and you have no defense. I mean, their defense was historically bad last year. So Quinnen Williams and a few scoops may really appeal to them.
I wanted to hear your thoughts on these GGN members, would you like to relocate Williams, two firsts (say # 2 and Seattle’s first next year) and a 2nd round pick for Watson? There is no guarantee that Houston would accept that deal, but let’s just say, for the sake of discussion, they would. You’ve tried to get them to take the first from Seattle this year to keep the # 2 valuable, but they don’t budge. You’ve tried to get other players involved, but again they’re pushing Williams, are you making that deal?