How Reported Deshaun Watson Update Could Affect Patriots In Draft
The New England Patriots looked like they drew the short straw in the 2025 NFL Draft, but it might not be so bad for them.
Deshaun Watson had another surgery Thursday to repair his Achilles which ruptured again, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. Watson tore his Achilles in Week 7 this season and could miss the entire 2025 season.
The Cleveland Browns face the reality of signing a player to the worst contract in NFL history — Watson only played 19 games in the first three years of his five-year contract — and also the fact that they’re on the hunt for another franchise quarterback.
Cleveland always was going to add QB depth in the offseason, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. And Watson’s injury setback would strengthen the Browns’ case to draft a signal-caller with the No. 2 pick.
The Tennesee Titans and New York Giants also need quarterbacks, so it’s possible three QBs could get drafted with the first three picks in back-to-back drafts. That would leave the Patriots with their choice of Travis Hunter, an offensive lineman or Abdul Carter.
One problem with that scenario is that the 2025 draft class is one of the weaker quarterback classes in recent memory. That might not stop QB-needy teams from drafting one higher than they should, which is something New England should be rooting for.
Of course, having one of those top picks to trade to a team that needs a quarterback would have been an ideal scenario. The Watson news highlighted once again how much of a disaster losing the top pick in the draft is since a team like the Browns could have traded whatever assets they had left to move up.
Still, if you wanted to view the situation from a positive perspective, the Patriots likely won’t face competition to draft a player who fits dire team needs. They’ll get an opportunity to decide the best course of action for the No. 4 pick as the draft process continues to play out.