Add veteran NFL reporter Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com to list of writers who heard that Texans QB Deshaun Watson is not giving in to his desire to be traded, and that he continues to ignore every call from Houston Brass. Of course, Watson has a no-trade clause he could use to help dictate where he’s going – assuming the Texans will give in and deal with him, which they’ve insisted they won’t – and we recently heard that the 49ers and Broncos are on his destination list.
Dunne’s source indicates that the Dolphins – who have been considered one of the front runners for Watson since trade speculation began to swirl – and the Niners are Watson’s top two clubs. According to Dunne, a trade to Miami is too logical not to happen, and he believes the ‘Fins and Texans could strike a deal that will send Watson to South Beach in exchange for the No. 3 and No. 18 overall picks in this draft. years along with Miami’s 2022 first-rounder.
Now for more rumors from the AFC East:
- Recent reports have indicated that Raiders QB Marcus Mariota generates legitimate trading interests, and ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss believes the Patriots could be in the mix. New England clearly needs a quarterback, and Mariota is committed to a reasonable $ 10.6 million salary for 2021 and shouldn’t take much to acquire in terms of design capital. While he could demand a pay raise if hired to serve as a starter, his current salary doesn’t stop the team from continuing to explore other options such as Jimmy Garoppolo – if it 49ers land another QB and release Garoppolo – or a collegiate passer.
- Reiss doesn’t expect it Patriots to strike a deal with the divisional rival Jets for Gang Green QB Sam Darnold, although what the Jets are doing with Darnold could certainly have a big impact on New England (for example, if New York trades Darnold to San Francisco, Garoppolo could become available).
- The Jets have some of the most cap space in the league at just $ 70 million, and they can easily create even more flexibility, giving them a huge advantage in what could be a buyer’s market given the reduced salary cap. Connor Hughes of The Athletic thinks New York will release DE Henry Anderson, which jibes with a report from December. That move will save the club $ 8.2 million in cap space, and Hughes suggests that guards Greg Van Roten and Alex Lewis maybe goners too (their releases would save $ 3.4 million and $ 5.1 million respectively).
- Meanwhile, the Jets don’t have too many of their own free agents to keep. Hughes expects safety Marcus Maye be re-signed, and he also says OL Pat Elflein – who played well in 2020 after being claimed from the Vikings’ waivers – is a logical candidate to return, especially if the team departs from Van Roten and / or Lewis.
- Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News does not provide the Accounts this off season, big free agents deposit dollars. Instead, he expects the club to spend most of his money on an extension for QB Josh Allen, which means that the bills are likely to allow LB Matt Milano to test the open market – unlike GM Brandon Beanethe claim that a franchise tag could be in play – and won’t be in the running for a top pass rusher like Shaquil Barrett or Bud Dupree