Browns’ Deshaun Watson trade looks even worse after Texans add Stefon Diggs
When the Cleveland Browns traded for quarterback Deshaun Watson in March 2022, they were criticized for the steep price they paid to acquire the troubled passer.
Two years later, that criticism has been more than justified after what the Texans have done with the haul of draft picks the Browns gave them.
Here’s a summary of the deal: Cleveland got Watson and a 2024 sixth-round pick while Houston received first- and fourth-round picks in 2022, first- and third-round picks in 2023 and first- and fourth-round picks in 2024.
With their two 2022 picks, the Texans drafted guard Kenyon Green and running back Dameon Pierce. Green started 14 games as a rookie (allowing four sacks on 823 offensive snaps) before missing the 2023 season with an injury. Pierce rushed for 923 yards as a rookie and had 416 yards in 2023 playing as Devin Singletary’s backup.
Both 2023 picks were traded to acquire building-block pieces in edge-rusher Will Anderson and receiver Tank Dell.
Anderson led the Texans with 68 pressures, 45 hurries and 15 QB hits, per Pro Football Focus, and he ranked second on the team with seven sacks. Dell quickly emerged as a go-to option for QB C.J. Stroud, catching 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury and missing Houston’s final six games.
The Texans also flipped Cleveland’s 2024 first-rounder (No. 23 overall) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for two second-round picks, then used one of those second-rounders to acquire receiver Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills.
To recap: Houston flipped a polarizing QB who had worn out his welcome with everyone in the organization for a starting left guard, a solid No. 2 running back, the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, a playmaking wide receiver who was well on his way to a 1,000-yard season before getting injured plus another stud WR who’s scored 52 touchdowns with six straight 1,000-yard seasons since 2018.
Oh, and the Texans still have second- and fourth-round picks in the 2024 draft. Meanwhile, Watson has delivered Cleveland eight wins, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions across 12 starts in two seasons.
The Browns front office has taken its share of lumps over the years for poor drafting and asset management, but the Watson deal may be one the franchise will never live down.
