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NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history

By Hans Themistode

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
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Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history: Houston Texans, QB Deshaun Watson

Pick: 2017 NFL Draft, 1st round number 12 overall

Stats:

  • 14,359 passing yards
  • 104 passing touchdowns
  • 67.8 completion percentage

Awards:

  • All-Rookie Team
  • 3 time Pro Bowl selection

Normally, a player who completed only his fourth year in the league wouldn’t be a candidate for the best draft pick in the history of a franchise. When it comes to the moribund Houston Texans, an exception will be made. Amongst the candidates for the best draft pick in Houston Texans history were DeAndre Hopkins and JJ Watt.

In the case of Watt, his injury history was simply too overwhelming for him to take the top spot and while DeShaun Watson is still fairly new to the franchise, what he’s been able to accomplish is simply too great to ignore.

Outside of his first year, where he missed roughly half the season, Watson has been amongst the league’s best, earning three straight trips to the Pro Bowl. Even with the Texans lacking in terms of weapons, Watson hasn’t disappointed. He led the league in passing yards in 2020 and continues to push fellow all-world quarterback Patrick Mahomes for best player in the league recognition.

The playoffs haven’t been exactly kind to him but in three games, he’s thrown for four touchdowns and only one interception while completing 63.5 percent of his passes. Watson is easily the greatest quarterback the franchise has ever had, beating out Matt Schaub by a landslide. He still has a ton more work to do if he wants to solidify himself in this position but at the moment, he’s done more than enough to be considered the best player the franchise has ever drafted.

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