Relatively risk-free midseason move gives Watson another weapon to use
The biggest winner of the NFL trade deadline? Deshaun Watson. Providing Demaryius Thomas can discover an older version of his Super Bowl self.
This was a move the Texans absolutely had to make. Downfield artist Will Fuller went down on the same night Watson brilliantly threw for five touchdowns and torched the Miami Dolphins on national TV, leaving DeAndre Hopkins alone again as a one-man show.
Five days later, first-year general manager Brian Gaine backed up his young franchise quarterback and surging 5-3 team in a single deadline move.
Thomas (665 career catches for 9,055 yards and 60 TDs) for a 2019 fourth-round pick.
John Elway’s Denver Broncos also received a future seventh-rounder, and the Texans got one back. But if this deal is ultimately defined by who won the battle of sevenths, you’ll know it wasn’t worth the buzzing, breaking-news hype.
Yes, Thomas’ numbers are on the decline. Sure, he’s 30 years old and nine years into a five-time Pro Bowl career that technically already has topped out.
But Gaine didn’t pull the trigger for Thomas to be Watson’s No. 1. Rookie slot receiver Keke Coutee should soon return from injury. Lamar Miller, Alfred Blue, Jordan Thomas and Jordan Akins already were at Watson’s disposal. Then there’s the simple fact that the Texans —winners of five consecutive games and owners of first place in the AFC South — just added a proven, respected No. 2 receiver who has 53 receptions for 759 yards and six TDs in 10 playoff games.
Thomas also hasn’t been catching spirals from Peyton Manning the last few years. Since the Broncos won Super Bowl 50 under Gary Kubiak as Denver’s version of Texans North, Elway has rolled out Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Case Keenum and someone named Brock Osweiler at QB.
And you thought Bill O’Brien perfected the NFL quarterback carousel from 2014-17.
I dig everything about this move (as long as Thomas brings it weekly and connects with Watson between the lines).
The Texans refused to settle. Gaine made a deal his predecessor, Rick Smith, too often passed on. The players who fought for those five wins after that horrible 0-3 start were rewarded for their grit, sweat and daily dedication.
Two other critical positives: The Texans kept their precious high-round picks, and Thomas has only one year left on his contract.
If it doesn't work, simply move on and keep building.
Hopkins was a double team waiting to happen if he was forced to go solo at Mile High on Sunday. Watson is still recovering from multiple injuries and could be running in circles again against the Broncos.
Now, the key to the Texans’ future has another weapon to turn to, while Hopkins won’t be forced to carry all the receiving weight.
The first thing you heard from Denver was how much Thomas would be missed. As much in the locker room and off the field as on game day.
He stands 6-3, weighs 229 and can run the opposition over. He’s a former first-round pick (No. 22 overall in 2010 out of Georgia Tech) and has some old-school Andre Johnson in his game.
Thomas doesn’t have to return to his 2012-15 self, when he recorded at least 92 receptions and 1,304 yards per season. But if he increases his yards per catch, grabs multiple redzone TDs and makes opponents pay when they lock in on Hopkins, the Texans will have gotten what they needed out of a relatively risk-free midseason acquisition.
Thomas’ red-and-blue debut also will take place against the squad he spent the last nine seasons playing for. Extra personal motivation should not be required.
The good news for the Texans if it takes Thomas a couple weeks to learn a new system: an open week follows the Broncos. Weeks 11-17 are all winnable on paper — a visit to Washington (5-2) looms as the toughest remaining test — so it’s not like the Texans are in desperate need of instant 100-yard outings.
Be there for Watson. Let Hopkins keep doing serious damage. Haul in the tough, tight ones and open up extra ground for one of the best receivers in the sport. Thomas should be able to accomplish all that, even if his best days are behind him.
He hasn’t missed a regular-season game since 2011. He’s joining a promising, explosive team that needs and wants him — not a rebuilding franchise that probably will be looking for another starting QB as soon as 2018 expires.
The Texans did what they needed to, backing up the franchise quarterback so many already believe in.
Now it’s on Thomas to make Houston his new football home.