Trade 1
April 20, 2016
Cleveland Browns received 2017 1st round pick (12th overall, subsequently traded; Deshaun Watson selected).
NFL Trade History
Deshaun Watson NFL Trade History
TradeVerdicts connects Deshaun Watson to 3 exact public NFL transactions involving Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, and Houston Texans.
3 Recorded trades
3 Teams represented
2016–2022 Trade-history span
Player Transaction Context
Why Deshaun Watson Appears in the Trade Database
This profile follows Deshaun Watson across 3 recorded transactions from April 20, 2016 through March 18, 2022. Each connection below comes from the database relationship for that transaction rather than a name-only search.
Trade 2
April 27, 2017
Houston Texans received 2017 1st round pick (12th overall, Deshaun Watson).
Trade 3
March 18, 2022
Cleveland Browns received Deshaun Watson.
Across this profile, the recorded verdicts are Philadelphia Eagles Win; Houston Texans Win. The timeline spans 2016–2022 and 3 represented teams.
How to Read This Profile
Trade History Overview
Every transaction below comes from an explicit player-to-trade relationship in the TradeVerdicts database. Name-only substring matching is not used.
The cards summarize the date, teams, assets, grades, and verdict. Open the full trade page for the complete analysis and sourcing context. Grading standards are explained in the TradeVerdicts methodology.
Chronological Timeline
3 Recorded Trades
Trade 1 of 3
Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia paid a major multi-year package to move from No. 8 to No. 2 for Carson Wentz. Wentz produced an MVP-caliber 2017 season that helped secure home-field advantage for the Eagles' first Super Bowl title, then Philadelphia later recovered premium value in trading him. Cleveland collected extensive draft capital, but the conversion produced mixed long-term results.
Assets Received
Philadelphia Eagles
- Pick 2016 1st round pick (2nd overall, Carson Wentz)
- Pick 2017 4th round pick (139th overall, subsequently traded; Jehu Chesson selected)
Cleveland Browns
- Pick 2016 1st round pick (8th overall, subsequently traded; Jack Conklin selected)
- Pick 2016 3rd round pick (77th overall, subsequently traded; Daryl Worley selected)
- Pick 2016 4th round pick (100th overall, subsequently traded; Connor Cook selected)
- Pick 2017 1st round pick (12th overall, subsequently traded; Deshaun Watson selected)
- Pick 2018 2nd round pick (64th overall, subsequently traded; Tyquan Lewis selected)
Team Grades
Trade 2 of 3
Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans
Houston traded up from No. 25 to No. 12 in 2017 for quarterback Deshaun Watson, sending Cleveland the 25th pick plus its 2018 first-rounder. Cleveland turned those selections into Jabrill Peppers and Denzel Ward, with Ward becoming a perennial Pro Bowl cornerback. Watson became a three-time Pro Bowler in Houston, led the NFL in passing yards in 2020, and later generated an enormous trade return for the Texans.
Assets Received
Cleveland Browns
- Pick 2017 1st round pick (25th overall, Jabrill Peppers)
- Pick 2018 1st round pick (4th overall, Denzel Ward)
Houston Texans
- Pick 2017 1st round pick (12th overall, Deshaun Watson)
Team Grades
Trade 3 of 3
Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans
Cleveland's trade for Deshaun Watson became one of the most damaging modern blockbuster deals. The Browns surrendered a massive pick package and handed Watson a fully guaranteed contract, while Houston escaped the situation and rebuilt with premium assets. The Texans won decisively because Cleveland absorbed nearly all of the risk. It is one of the clearest modern examples of a team paying franchise-quarterback prices without receiving franchise-quarterback stability.
Assets Received
Cleveland Browns
- Player Deshaun Watson
- Pick 2024 6th round pick (203rd overall, subsequently traded)
Houston Texans
- Pick 2022 1st round pick (13th overall, subsequently traded)
- Pick 2023 1st round pick (12th overall, subsequently traded)
- Pick 2024 1st round pick (23rd overall, subsequently traded)
- Pick 2023 3rd round pick (73rd overall, subsequently traded)
- Pick 2022 4th round pick (107th overall, Dameon Pierce)
- Pick 2024 4th round pick (123rd overall, Cade Stover)