Ranking the 10 best NFL trades from a wild, crazy 2022 offseason

Best NFL trade no. 4: Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns

I’m sure any Cleveland Browns fan reading this is going to wonder why this move is all the way down at number four overall, and it’s certainly worth an explanation.

Purely speaking in terms of the potential on-field impact, this trade should be no lower than number two on this list.

With that being said, off-the-field factors simply cannot be ignored in what will go down as one of the most historic trades in league history.

Watson was sent to the Browns for three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks.

The Browns provided the Texans with a ton of ammunition to rebuild their roster and the Texans provided the Browns with a potential long-term solution at the quarterback position.

However, as good as Watson is, his team won only four games the last time he was actually on the field. Regardless of the dysfunction of the coaching staff or front office in Houston, how does that happen?

Watson has been a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback and borderline MVP candidate since he came into the league in 2017. He’s a true difference-maker at the position but we also don’t know exactly how he’s going to look after a year of not playing.

We also have no idea what kind of toll the last year off the field will have taken on him as a player.

Will Deshaun Watson be able to go out and still throw a bunch of touchdown passes? Probably so. He has a great running game and offensive line in Cleveland and the Browns added some help at receiver this offseason by trading for Amari Cooper and drafting David Bell.

Even considering the circumstances and supporting cast in Cleveland, it’s just hard to call this trade the best when considering the off-field issues lingering for Watson.

Football-wise, it’s certainly a good trade for both sides.