5 teams who should make a trade for Deshaun Watson

Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock can throw verbal bouquets at him all they want, and he may be a better quarterback than some people (raising my hand) think. But there’s no doubt the Raiders will move on from Derek Carr when the time is right, and in some way the patience Gruden and Mayock have shown on that front has to be admired.

The Raiders wanted Tom Brady, and things didn’t work out for multiple reasons (Brady’s desire to stay East, ultimately deciding to stick with Carr?). A looming big move for Rodgers, Russell Wilson or Watson can’t be ruled out at some point, and failing something like that drafting someone of high regard next April is possible.

Watson would accomplish two things for Las Vegas. He’s clearly a better quarterback than Carr, and as mentioned previously he’s a long-term answer at quarterback at (still) just 25-26 years old. Quarterbacks of Watson’s ilk are rarely available, regardless of broader circumstances.

Gruden has spoken highly of Watson in the past, as most have in terms of his talent level, as the cloud of his legal situation impacts everything. But if they hope to compete with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs for years down the line, Watson is the best option out there to push the Raiders to that level.