Deshaun Watson
28-Year-Old
Questionable
Injury Shoulder
Est. Return 5/1/2024
2023 Pass/Rush Stats
YDS
1115
TD
7
INT
4
YDS
142
TD
1
2024 Projections
2023 Fantasy Outlook
When Watson finally got back under center Week 13 last year, he looked like a quarterback who hadn’t played in a season and a half. Of 38 QBs with at least 170 attempts, Watson ranked 32nd in on-target percentage (68.2) and 36th in completion percentage (58.2). He failed to top 200 yards passing in four of his six games, with his 6.5 YPA ranking 32nd. Watson especially struggled throwing deep, completing only four of 17 attempts beyond 20 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. On a positive note, he rushed for 175 yards, showing at least part of his game was up to the task. Getting his arm back to his pre-suspension level is partly a matter of reps. Watson missed the offseason program last year and after participating in training camp and then was away from the team for three months. The long layoff from game action likely is responsible for his apparent slower processing -- Watson averaged a league-high 3.27 seconds before throwing -- and resulting struggles. Plus, last season he stepped into an offense that was tailored for QB Jacoby Brissett. This season, the scheme is his, and he'll have additional weapons after the Browns traded for Elijah Moore and drafted Cedric Tillman (Round 3) to join Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones at wide receiver. Nick Chubb returns after a 1,500-yard rushing season, and TE David Njoku is coming off a career-high 58 receptions. It doesn’t take much faith to believe Watson can return to a top-10 fantasy quarterback, if not the top-5 QB we saw from 2018-20. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Making 40-yard throws
Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Thursday that Watson (shoulder) has been making throws of up to 40 yards, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
ANALYSIS
While not quite willing to guarantee that Watson will be ready for the regular-season opener, Berry did confirm that's the expectation and said the Browns are "pretty optimistic" about the QB's rehab process so far. Watson spoke with reporters Tuesday, mentioning that the team medical staff favors a cautious approach that would see him wait until training camp before returning to full practice participation. The 28-year-old thus figures to be limited during OTAs, giving free-agent additions Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley more chances to throw to the team's top receivers. The Browns traded for WR Jerry Jeudy in March and still have WRs Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore as well as TE David Njoku. There's also a strong chance of improved blocking this season, after 2023 saw the Browns lose their top three OTs to season-ending knee injuries. Watson is the biggest variable though, perhaps more so because of his disappointing 2022-23 performance than the ongoing rehab from Nov. 21 surgery to repair a displaced glenoid fracture in his right shoulder.
While not quite willing to guarantee that Watson will be ready for the regular-season opener, Berry did confirm that's the expectation and said the Browns are "pretty optimistic" about the QB's rehab process so far. Watson spoke with reporters Tuesday, mentioning that the team medical staff favors a cautious approach that would see him wait until training camp before returning to full practice participation. The 28-year-old thus figures to be limited during OTAs, giving free-agent additions Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley more chances to throw to the team's top receivers. The Browns traded for WR Jerry Jeudy in March and still have WRs Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore as well as TE David Njoku. There's also a strong chance of improved blocking this season, after 2023 saw the Browns lose their top three OTs to season-ending knee injuries. Watson is the biggest variable though, perhaps more so because of his disappointing 2022-23 performance than the ongoing rehab from Nov. 21 surgery to repair a displaced glenoid fracture in his right shoulder.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Deshaun Watson's 2023 advanced stats compare to other quarterbacks?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Bad Pass %
18.7%Avg Target Depth
9.3 YdsSack Rate
9.0%Avg Receiver YAC
5.0 YdsReceiver Drop %
8.8%Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
2023 Deshaun Watson Split Stats
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Measurables Review
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How do Deshaun Watson's measurables compare to other quarterbacks?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 3"Weight
223 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.66 secShuttle Time
4.31 secCone Drill
6.95 secVertical Jump
32.5 inBroad Jump
119 inHand Length
9.75 inArm Length
33.00 in
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Clears key hurdle in recovery
Watson said Tuesday that he has resumed throwing full velocity, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
ANALYSIS
Watson hadn't resumed throwing as of the beginning of April, so this development is an indicator of further progress in his recovery from November shoulder surgery. The Browns may opt to take a cautious approach with their starting quarterback in OTAs and minicamp, but Watson remains on track to be fully healthy well before the 2024 season kicks off.
Watson hadn't resumed throwing as of the beginning of April, so this development is an indicator of further progress in his recovery from November shoulder surgery. The Browns may opt to take a cautious approach with their starting quarterback in OTAs and minicamp, but Watson remains on track to be fully healthy well before the 2024 season kicks off.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
After a year in purgatory in Houston, Watson is reborn in Cleveland - not exactly paradise, but $230 million fully guaranteed goes a long way. However, the QB's regular season debut with the franchise will be delayed by an 11-game suspension under the NFL's personal conduct policy. To add Watson, the Browns traded six draft picks, including three first-rounders, having finally given up on 2018 No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield, whom the team eventually dealt to the Panthers in July. What the Browns get in Watson is a dual-threat quarterback with a great arm and impressive accuracy downfield. Of course, he hasn't played in a year, but in 2020, he led the league in passing yards, finishing as a top-5 fantasy quarterback for the third consecutive season. The Browns signed wideout Amari Cooper, and Donovan Peoples-Jones looks poised for a bigger role as a downfield threat, but the WR corps is not deep. That never slowed Watson in Houston, though, even after DeAndre Hopkins left.
More Fantasy News
Throwing full speed
Watson (shoulder) said Tuesday he's already resumed "throwing full speed" but that he's uncertain how large a workload he'll handle during OTAs and minicamp, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
ANALYSIS
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Confident in Week 1 availability
Watson, who is bouncing back from shoulder surgery he underwent Nov. 21, noted Thursday he has no doubt that he'll be ready for the Browns' season opener, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
ANALYSIS
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Making good progress in recovery
Watson (shoulder) recently said on his QB Unplugged podcast that he's "in a great spot" and has "plenty of time to ramp up the throwing sessions," per Nick Shook of NFL.com.
ANALYSIS
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Could begin throwing Tuesday
Watson (shoulder) could begin light throwing as soon as Tuesday, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
ANALYSIS
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Almost ready to throw again
Watson (shoulder) is on track or slightly ahead in his rehab schedule and will begin throwing in March, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
ANALYSIS
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