With the 10th pick in the, 2017 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select…. Deshaun Watson? Sounds weird, right? Imagining a Kansas City-less, Patrick Mahomes. Yuck. But, it very well could have happened.
Three years later, the choice is clear, but it wasn’t always that way. Watson was coming off a comeback that, to the awe of most, took down the Goliath-like Crimson Tide for the National Championship. On the other hand, Patrick Mahomes was on a 5-7, Texas Tech team. While it is a team game, Watson was getting a lot more national spotlight. If we’re being honest, Patrick Mahomes was not an obvious choice for most heading into the draft.
What was obvious was that the Chiefs were taking a QB, the writing was on the wall. Let’s say the Chiefs ignored Brett Veach’s constant pleas to look at,Patrick Mahomes. What would life look like with, Deshaun Watson in Red and Yellow?
While Watson played in 2017, if he were drafted to the Chiefs, he wouldn’t have, so we’ll start with 2018. I think it’s safe to say Watson would’ve had more success. According to www.footballoutsiders.com, the Texans offensive line was ranked 27th, compared to the Chiefs 16th. It’s basic football, if you’re on the ground less and have more time to make decisions, you’re going to play better. Throw in Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Sammy Watkins, etc. and it’s hard to argue. I believe Watson would’ve been in the MVP talk, but falling short. Team-wise, the Chiefs make it to the AFC Championship and losing 35-20 to the dying dynasty, Patriots. So, yes 2018 would’ve been similar in my opinion. 2019 though…
The Chiefs get their first NFL MVP, Deshaun Watson. I know, Lamar Jackson still exists, and I truly believe Jackson had a great year but was also helped by injuries to key opponents. Deshaun Watson after two full years of learning Andy Reid’s playbook, makes that stride. Where do the Chiefs land though? The 2019 playoff run, Patrick Mahomes guided us through, isn’t something Deshaun Watson is capable of. I don’t think Deshaun Watson gets us to the Super Bowl in 2019. I know, I know, Watson is a proven winner, but Mahomes has arm talent that is incomparable, and it was crucial in this run. Chiefs lose in the AFC Championship for the second year in a row, to the Titans, 27-24.
It’s not all sour grapes for the Watson led, Chiefs. With the AFC having no real powerhouse, Kansas City gets aggressive. There’s no doubt in my mind Brett Veach would make a big move or two to get over the hump. The Mahomes led Texans would still be good, but we’ve seen how Bill O’Brien has handled his GM/HC role, and if you don’t know, it has not been great. Kansas City wins its first Super Bowl, since 1969, with Watson getting SB MVP honors. Sounding a bit familiar?
If you give Andy Reid a quality QB like Patrick Mahomes or Deshaun Watson he’s going to thrive. The difference, Mahomes gets us their faster, and he gets us there more often. That last part is still in the making, but I think it’s a fair bet, wouldn’t you?
Either QB with Reid like the article said would win the chip. The future Patrick, Deshaun, and Lamar are the future for the QB position.