Texans Odds to Draft Trevor Lawrence Skyrocketing

Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence is the heavy favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. And after locking up the first overall selection, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the overwhelming favorite (-9000) to draft the QB.

However, the recent trade request by Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has caused Houston's odds as the team to draft Lawrence to skyrocket in recent days.

Fun little hypothetical question: Would the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars be willing to trade Deshaun Watson for the No. 1 pick? Watson to Jacksonville, Trevor Lawrence to Houston. Fair?
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2021

Despite not currently having a first-round pick, the Texans are now second in the odds to draft Lawrence at +900, per FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL futures. Houston's ascension seems crazy on its own, but given the context of Watson's trade request, it makes sense.

Jacksonville could decide that they'd rather take on a proven star than draft Lawrence and hope he turns into one, so they have the option to offer a trade package for Watson centered around the No. 1 pick. With Watson gone in that deal, it opens the door for the Texans to select their new franchise quarterback in Lawrence.

If Jacksonville needs a QB, why not offer the biggest trade bait available in the No. 1 pick? Because having Lawrence, who could be an immediate star, on a rookie-scale contract, will give the Jaguars flexibility to add weapons around him.

Watson isn't overpaid, but his cap hit explodes to $40-plus million after next season, and that's not what a rebuilding Jags team needs on their books right now, so Jacksonville is still the likely team to select Lawrence. The potential for a deal, though, is certainly there.

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