Houston traded up from No. 25 to No. 12 in 2017 for…
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.
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 2017 1st round pick (25th overall, Jabrill Peppers)
- pick 2018 1st round pick (4th overall, Denzel Ward)
Houston Texans Received
- pick 2017 1st round pick (12th overall, Deshaun Watson )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Houston moved from No. 25 to No. 12 in the 2017 first round and selected Deshaun Watson. Cleveland received No. 25, used on safety Jabrill Peppers, plus Houston's 2018 first-round pick. That future selection landed at No. 4, where the Browns drafted cornerback Denzel Ward. This was a premium quarterback trade in which both sides ultimately created substantial value.
Why Houston Gets the Edge
Watson became an elite on-field quarterback during his Houston tenure. He earned three Pro Bowl selections, helped the Texans win division titles and led the NFL with 4,823 passing yards in 2020. Just as important to the transaction's long-term value, Houston later traded Watson to Cleveland in 2022 for a package headlined by three first-round picks plus additional selections. That resale return extended the value of the original No. 12 pick far beyond Watson's starts in Houston.
How Cleveland Still Did Very Well
Cleveland's side deserves far more credit than a typical losing grade. Ward became a foundational cornerback and multiple-time Pro Bowler. Peppers started for the Browns and later became part of the package used to acquire Odell Beckham Jr. The Browns therefore converted Houston's move-up price into two real NFL assets, one of whom became a long-term star. In many draft trades, that would be enough to win comfortably.
Final Verdict
Houston earns an A and Cleveland an A-. The Browns extracted outstanding value from the two first-round selections, particularly Ward. Houston, however, acquired several seasons of high-end quarterback play and later transformed Watson into another massive haul of premium picks. The combination of peak production at the sport's most valuable position and exceptional residual trade value gives the Texans a narrow but meaningful advantage. Houston Texans Win.