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5 NFL teams that should draft Deshaun Watson

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws the ball in the second half against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Clemson Tigers won 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws the ball in the second half against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Clemson Tigers won 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Matt Barkley (12) warms-up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Matt Barkley (12) warms-up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Chicago Bears

The Jay Cutler era in Chicago looks like it’s over. He’s done for the season with an injured shoulder and has probably taken his last snap with the Bears. This has led to Matt Barkley getting an extended look, and he has looked a bit erratic with 51.7 completion percentage. He’ll start for the rest of the season, but isn’t likely a long-term fixture in the Windy City.

It would be an upset to see the Bears not walk out of the 2016 NFL Draft with a quarterback, especially in the first round. They have no one with upside to develop as a future face of the franchise, so they could be the first team to take a quarterback next spring. If Deshaun Watson ends up becoming the highest-ranked player at this position in the draft, then he could head to Chicago, who sits at 3-9 as of the first week of December.

Watson would be the first sign of hope that the Bears have had at quarterback in years. It reverts from the Cutler perception that he always gets hurt, doesn’t care as much and isn’t reaching the potential that he supposedly had all those years ago. Watson is far from a guarantee to succeed himself, but it’s a fresh start for a team that has looked the same for years. This has all been while not making the playoffs in most years of the Cutler era.

Next: Every NFL Team's Best Draft Pick Of All-Time

Plenty of pressure would be placed on the 21-year-old’s back, who would start right away. He’d be under scrutiny from Chicago fans, the media and some of the fierce defenses of the NFC. But, it’s worth the shot to see what he can do and if he can be the next quarterback that leads this team into the future.

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