Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson against the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 13, 2024. Credit: AP/Chris Szagola
The Giants’ hopes of drafting a quarterback took a hit on Friday as the Browns announced that quarterback Deshaun Watson reinjured his right Achilles tendon.
The Browns said in a statement that Watson had another surgery on Thursday to repair the tendon. Watson initially tore it during the Browns’ Week 7 game against the Bengals on Oct. 20 and had surgery on Oct. 25.
The Browns said Friday that Watson felt discomfort in his leg after “rolling” his ankle while in Miami. He informed the team during a season-ending exit interview on Sunday and an MRI revealed a re-rupture.
That news could impact the Giants’ chances of finding a quarterback with the No. 3 pick in April’s NFL Draft. The Browns have the No. 2 pick behind the Titans, and with Watson expected to “miss significant time” next season, according to the team’s statement, Cleveland is now in the market for a quarterback.
Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders are the top two quarterback prospects. The Titans could very well look to find a replacement for their 2023 second-round pick, Will Levis, who was benched at the end of this season.
The Browns can draft a quarterback or go hunting in free agency. Watson is owed $46 million next season, so that limits whom they can go after. Cleveland could consider drafting a younger and/or cheaper quarterback even if Watson is expected to return at some point.
Barring a trade, it makes it harder for the Giants to dream of drafting their franchise quarterback. It also puts pressure on the front office to be more active in free agency or consider drafting a quarterback in later rounds, which seems tougher in a draft light on promising talent.
Giants general manager Joe Schoen touted the team’s financial flexibility — $53.4 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap.
“Our hands aren’t tied behind our back,” Schoen said Monday. “Financially, we’re in good shape. We’re in a good salary-cap situation. We have draft capital to make changes.”
