Falcons linked to Deshaun Watson

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Atlanta Falcons join in pursuit of Texans QB Deshaun Watson



The Atlanta Falcons have emerged as a sleeper team in pursuit of Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, league sources told ESPN.

The Falcons join the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns as teams that have met with or are interested in trading for Watson.

"All options are open, but it's not going to be easy," a Falcons source said regarding a potential Watson trade.

Another source described the Falcons as a "long shot" to land Watson. However, the team still has not met with Watson but could have the chance to persuade him in person.

The Falcons have been committed to veteran quarterback Matt Ryan, but owner Arthur Blank has talked about eventually finding his successor and resetting the franchise's future. That task has been given to second-year general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith. If Atlanta acquires Watson, it could seek to ship out Ryan, who has a no-trade clause, according to sources. If the Falcons trade Ryan after June 1, they could free up $8.75 million worth of salary-cap space.

...a source said Blank is fond of Watson from the days when the former Gainesville (Georgia) High quarterback worked multiple years as a Falcons ball boy and developed a relationship with Blank's family. Atlanta assistant T.J. Yates also has a connection to Watson, as Yates was an assistant quarterbacks coach in Houston.

Watson already has met with other teams and is said to be impressed with the Panthers, Saints and Browns. Every team that has been in discussions with Watson also has been in simultaneous talks with the Texans. Trade compensation is not expected to hold up any potential trade, as parameters of any trade that would involve the quarterback are already in place, league sources said.

The last piece of any potential trade would be Watson agreeing to waive his no-trade clause so that he could be dealt to another team and resume his NFL career.

ESPN.com

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Talk about irony...

How Matt Ryan Helped Make Deshaun Watson a Superstar

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HMFFL, feel free to merge these topics if you like.

Insider notes: Deshaun Watson iffy on Browns, Panthers

When it comes to the Watson sweepstakes, the QB may well prefer the destination that's most unlikely: Atlanta. That's according to CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora, who believes the embattled Texans star is more hesitant to sign off on other clubs as he looks to find his next home:

The sense among many executives I spoke to this week was that the Falcons were fine with driving up the price on fellow NFC South teams New Orleans and Carolina for Watson, but that it would be difficult for them to pull off the trade themselves. We'll likely find out in the coming days, but for as much as Watson's heart might be in the ATL, and for as iffy as he is on Carolina or Cleveland, from what I'm told, the Falcons will have a lot of work to do to make this happen.

The Saints seem like the best trade match from a personnel standpoint. If Watson lands in Atlanta, especially without (potential trade chip Kyle) Pitts, he will be devoid of any weapons and with a shoddy offensive line and joining a team that will be short on draft picks for years to come to fill those absences. Be careful what you wish for.

CBS Sports