Texans used Deshaun Watson trade to shift from dysfunction to dominant defense

In a pivotal transaction four years ago, the Cleveland Browns traded for quarterback Deshaun Watson, signing him to a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract despite his ongoing legal issues and a pending suspension. This move allowed the Houston Texans, who were dealing with Watson's dissatisfaction and 20 civil lawsuits against him, to offload the quarterback. Houston General Manager Nick Caserio secured three first-round picks, two third-round picks, and a fourth-round pick in the trade, which he strategically used in subsequent deals.

The Texans leveraged these assets to acquire at least 10 new players, significantly bolstering their defense with key additions such as defensive end Will Anderson Jr., cornerback Kamari Lassiter, and safety Calen Bullock. The trade, while not the sole factor, played a crucial role in the Texans' resurgence, helping them to assemble a competitive team under the leadership of DeMeco Ryans, after previous coaching changes. Meanwhile, the Browns continue to navigate the aftermath of