NFL Draft: Deshaun Watson is headed to Texas
Last night, former Clemson football standout Deshaun Watson realized his dream of being drafted in the NFL, and he is now a Houston Texan. The Texans made him the 12th overall pick and the third quarterback selected in the first round.
Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett was selected first overall by the Cleveland Browns, as previously expected, but it got interesting at number two and specifically with the quarterback prospects in later selections.
The Chicago Bears traded up from No. 3 to No. 2 to get Tarheel Mitchell Trubisky by giving the San Francisco 49ers picks 67 and 111 and a third round 2018 selection. The trading continued when the Kansas City Chiefs traded their No. 27 and third round pick plus a first round 2018 selection to get Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes at 10.
So the most successful quarterback in the draft, who was projected to be a possible top ten pick and the first or second quarterback off the draft boards, was regulated to waiting in the green room until the 12th pick. Like Trubisky and Mahomes, Watson had a team move up to get him. Houston was able to move from 25th to 12th by giving the Cleveland Browns a 2018 first round selection.
Watson will join former Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins and defensive tackle D.J. Reader in Houston. Hopkins was selected 27th in 2013 and Reader, the 166th(fifth round) overall selection in 2016.
Thank you, @HoustonTexans. Blessed and ready to get to work. Loving this #NFLDraft #PaniniInstant card, go get https://t.co/63XlY6E7VO pic.twitter.com/twjq4lceHX
— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) April 28, 2017
Check out a few tweets from Watson’s big night.
ESPN’s Josina Anderson and Stephen A. Smith were definitely locked in on the draft and specifically on Watson.
QB Deshaun Watson has won a state chip in HS. He's won 2 ACC titles, lost only 3 games at Clemson and has a Nat'l championship. #StillWaits
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 28, 2017
I swear if DeShaun Watson isn't picked here by the @HoustonTexans I'm going to lose my mind.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 28, 2017
Jadar Johnson expressed his feelings about his teammate and a hint of displeasure with Watson’s place in the draft. Johnson will wait for his name to be called tonight.
Watson’s draft position was definitely a hot topic on Twitter, especially, since he was behind Trubisky and Mahomes.
I can’t wait to watch Deshaun Watson make all these fools live with their consequences.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) April 28, 2017
it's honestly blowing my mind still that Mitchell Trubisky and Patrick Mahomes were drafted before Deshaun Watson
— Kyle Kapper (@kkapper_) April 28, 2017
Clemson signee Tee Higgins could be the next great Clemson receiver and a future first round pick. His mom was “All in” with the draft.
Congratulations to @darealmike_dub & @DeshaunWatson4 on their 1st round draft pick #determination #motivation 🙏🏾's for ur future pic.twitter.com/FsGoEm0SRN
— TEEHIGGINSMOM #5 ✋🏽💫 (@adizlady) April 28, 2017
From one Tiger to another. Clemson fans will be adopted Texans’ fans.
Deshaun Watson is now going to be throwing passes to Nuk Hopkins
— Shakin the Southland (@STSouthland) April 28, 2017
Dreams do come true
Tom Savage is currently the starter in Houston.
Tom Savage will still be the starting QB, per O'Brien and Smith. Watson will come in and learn. #Texans
— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) April 28, 2017
.@DeshaunWatson4 has arrived in Houston! pic.twitter.com/wkK5ewJg9Y
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 28, 2017
Houston got their man!!!
O'Brien on Watson: "I think he'll be a great fit in our culture."
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 28, 2017
Deshaun Watson will get his first chance to impress the Texans coaching staff and players in training camp. The Houston Texans training camp date has not been determined, but it will be held at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, WV. Typically, most NFL camps start at the end of July.