The Offseason Menu

The Deshaun Watson Sweepstakes

Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images

The 5 Teams Most Likely to Land the Texans QB in Offseason Mega-Trade

Matthew Stafford is a Ram. Jared Goff is a Lion. Carson Wentz is a Colt. J.J. is ordering delivery, and everyone and their brother wants to land Deshaun Watson. The NFL offseason is only just beginning, but the rumor tornadoes are swirling. From Russell Wilson in Seattle to Tua Tagovailoa in Miami, everyone is getting calls about QB trades. Watson is the biggest offseason prize, and the projected offers are getting ridiculous. Here’s our take on the top-five teams in the race for the Watson sweepstakes, based on multiple reports and rumors from various NFL sources.

The Deshaun Watson Sweepstakes

1. Carolina Panthers

The new regime in Carolina appears to be cutting players left and right to free-up cap space. New head coach Matt Rhule got a feel for what he has in Charlotte last year, and what he has is a 5-11 football team. He also has assets to move with RB Christian McCaffrey and the No. 8 overall pick.

2. New York Jets

The most exciting trade rumor centers around New York where the Jets have struggled for more than a decade. Gang green holds picks No. 2 and 23, as well as a potential gap-QB in Sam Darnold that Houston could utilize for the short term.

3. Miami Dolphins

It’s hard to fathom Miami shelling out QB Tua Tagovailoa so early, but their draft capital is substantial. The Dolphins have the No. 3 and 18 picks, as well as two more in the second round. They could be the only team poised to scrap this year’s draft for Watson while saving future first-rounders in the process.

4. New England Patriots

If Bill Belichick can return the New England defense to its old ways, this move would be a home run. Give Watson the ball and let him play-make with a franchise that knows how to win. I just can’t see the Pats giving up that much for one player — it doesn’t seem like “the Patriot Way.”

5. Chicago Bears

Watson in Chicago could be a success story in the making. The Bears have always been a defense-first football team, but the quarterback position has held them back ever since… Jim McMahon? Mitch Trubisky did make the pro bowl, but it’s unlikely that he’s Chicago’s long-term solution.

Other Rumored Teams: Broncos, 49ers, Washington

With all the rumors circling Watson, we do know one thing that isn’t conjecture — he holds the keys to his future. His no-trade clause with the Texans means he can dictate where he goes. Sit tight. The saga continues…

Where Do You Think Watson Will End Up? Reply to today’s newsletter and share your thoughts. Best responses may be included in tomorrow’s edition.

Additional Storylines

Yahoo! Sports: The Wildest NFL Rumors We Want to Believe: Riding the QB Carousel

The Athletic: Shattered Trust: How Deshaun Watson Lost Faith in the Houston Texans

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Men: It’s Gonzaga, Baylor & A Big Ten Dogfight for the 1-Seeds

Another week, another unchanged top of the men’s college basketball rankings. Gonzaga and Baylor are closing in on undefeated regular seasons. The Zags have two cakewalks left before the conference tournament. Baylor — a team that’s seen the five recent games postponed due to COVID-19 — has three left, with two against ranked Big 12 opponents. There’s also a Big Ten brawl between Michigan, Ohio State and Illinois for claims on the other two No. 1 seeds come tourney time.

Men’s Top-10

1. Gonzaga (22-0) | —

2. Baylor (17-0) | —

3. Michigan (16-1) | —

4. Ohio State (18-5) | —

5. Illinois (16-5) | —

6. Alabama (18-5) | ↑2

7. Oklahoma (14-5) | ↑2

8. Villanova (14-3) | ↑2

9. Iowa (17-6) | ↑2

10. West Virginia (15-6) | ↑3

Men’s Top-25 AP Poll

Women: Huskies Look Poised for Another Run at NCAA Title as Two of the Top-3 Fall

A big shake-up in the women’s basketball rankings ensued after No. 2 South Carolina and No. 3 Louisville suffered losses over the weekend. They got bumped while NC State, Texas A&M and Stanford crawled back into the top-four (potential 1-seed line). As we near the end of the regular season, it’s a familiar face on top; UConn. The Huskies have won eight straight, and their lone loss this season came by just three points. Could a 12th National Championship be unfolding?

Women’s Top-10

1. UConn (18-1) | —

2. NC State (15-2) | ↑2

3. Texas A&M (20-1) | ↑2

4. Stanford (20-2) | ↑2

5. South Carolina (18-3) | ↓3

6. Louisville (20-2) | ↓3

7. Baylor (17-2) | —

8. Maryland (16-2) | ↑1

9. Arizona (15-2) | ↑1

10. UCLA (13-4) | ↓2

Women’s Top-25 AP Poll

Additional Storylines

Fansided: Sleeper Teams Poised for a Potential Deep Run in March Madness 2021

FiveThirtyEight: Can Anybody Stop Gonzaga & Baylor’s Championship Collision Course?

*The Sportsletter will have extensive coverage of college basketball, March Madness previews and more in the coming weeks.

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