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
Could begin throwing Tuesday
Watson (shoulder) could begin light throwing as soon as Tuesday, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
ANALYSIS
Watson will have limitations this spring after underdoing surgery Nov. 21 to repair a displaced fracture in his right shoulder socket, but the Browns expect him to be ready for training camp in late July. He's been rehabbing in Los Angeles, with private QBs coach Quincy Avery and Browns TE David Njoku flying out Monday to join him. While a fully guaranteed contract ensures Watson will get another chance as the starting QB after two disappointing seasons in Cleveland, the team has much better depth at his position for 2024 after signing Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley earlier in March.
Watson will have limitations this spring after underdoing surgery Nov. 21 to repair a displaced fracture in his right shoulder socket, but the Browns expect him to be ready for training camp in late July. He's been rehabbing in Los Angeles, with private QBs coach Quincy Avery and Browns TE David Njoku flying out Monday to join him. While a fully guaranteed contract ensures Watson will get another chance as the starting QB after two disappointing seasons in Cleveland, the team has much better depth at his position for 2024 after signing Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley earlier in March.
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
View College Player Page
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
Likely getting wideout help
Watson is likely to see the Browns' receiver room reinforced via both free agency and the draft this offseason, Zac Jackson of The Athletic suggests.
ANALYSIS
Watson's season-ending shoulder surgery in November was a disappointing end to what was supposed to be his first full season in Cleveland, but the highly paid signal-caller should be healthy by OTAs. When he does return to the practice field, Jackson fully expects Watson will have noteworthy weaponry to work with beyond just Amari Cooper and David Njoku, both of whom, incidentally, played much better with veteran Joe Flacco down the stretch than they did with Watson prior to the latter's injury.
Watson's season-ending shoulder surgery in November was a disappointing end to what was supposed to be his first full season in Cleveland, but the highly paid signal-caller should be healthy by OTAs. When he does return to the practice field, Jackson fully expects Watson will have noteworthy weaponry to work with beyond just Amari Cooper and David Njoku, both of whom, incidentally, played much better with veteran Joe Flacco down the stretch than they did with Watson prior to the latter's injury.
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
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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Expected back by spring
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Sunday that Watson (shoulder) is expected be fully recovered from shoulder surgery by the spring, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports. "He's doing great in rehab," Stefanski said. "I'm confident he'll be ready to roll [for OTAs]."
ANALYSIS
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Recovery going well
Watson said Saturday that his recovery from November shoulder surgery is "right on track," Scott Petrak of The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
ANALYSIS
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Gets shoulder surgery
Watson underwent surgery on the displaced fracture in his right throwing shoulder Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
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Officially placed on IR
The Browns placed Watson (shoulder) on injured reserve Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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