Week 15 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Deshaun Watson shook off some of the rust as he doubled his yardage from his Week 13 return, throwing for 276 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals. Early on, as expected, Watson has shown he can work in the pocket and get you rushing yards as well, averaging 27 rushing yards in his first two games as a Brown. This week, Watson faces the Ravens, a top-ten passing defense in DVOA. Watson is getting better as he starts getting the rust off, but he should still be considered a QB2 for the time-being, but one with upside.
Week 14 at Cincinnati Bengals
The rust clearly showed for Deshaun Watson after playing in his first NFL game in over 700 days. He went 12/22 for just 131 yards but did rush 7 times for 21 yards. We'll see how much of the rust he was able to shake off after the game, as this week brings a major step up from the Houston Texans. Watson gets the Cincinnati Bengals, who just beat Patrick Mahomes yet again. Until we see more rust shaken off, Watson is a QB2 at best, but has upside thanks to his rushing ability.
Week 13 at Houston Texans
Deshaun Watson is set to make his 2022 debut after serving an 11-game suspension after being accused by over 20 women of sexual misconduct while in massage sessions. As evidenced by his press conference this week -- his first since August -- Watson is trying to focus on football and his first game as Browns quarterback. It's almost fitting that his first game is against his former team, the Houston Texans. As far as on the field, Watson gives the Browns offense more upside than Jacoby Brissett and has Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones building more confidence in the offense. Watson has QB1 upside. But you have every right not to start him for personal reasons.
2022 Fantasy Upside
Now that the NFL has decided to appeal the six-game suspension given to Deshaun Watson, who knows what the status of Watson will be. But if we currently base this on his six-game suspension, 11 games of Watson still provides plenty of upside. We've seen how effective the Browns' offense was even with Baker Mayfield at quarterback. Watson expands on that potential. Not to mention, he has Amari Cooper to throw to and Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt out of the backfield. The Browns also like rookie David Bell and just extended TE David Njoku. There's excitement on the field if Watson plays.
2022 Fantasy Downside
Obviously, that is a huge "if". The NFL is appealing the suspension and there are still so many questions. Will the suspension stick at six games? Will it be extended? Will Watson even play at all? And since the league will now have control over the suspension, there is a very good chance the suspension at least, say, doubles to 12 games, if not the entire season.
2022 Bottom Line
You had to figure the NFL would appeal the suspension. They pushed for a season-long suspension. How quickly the appeals process takes will play a factor. If the appeal lingers into the regular season, Watson would be able to play. But the NFL is expected to expedite the process, so we should get an answer before the season starts. And there's no doubt many of you will not draft Watson out of personal beliefs, which is absolutely understandable. At this point, we probably shouldn't expect to see Watson in a game for at least a few months, if not more.
Week 17 vs. Tennessee Titans
Another loss by the Texans, another big game from Deshaun Watson. In the defeat to the Bengals last week, he threw for 324 yards and three TDs despite injuring his arm in the fourth quarter. This season Watson has thrown for at least 300 yards nine times and has accounted for 33 scores. In the overtime loss at Tennessee in October, he passed for over 330 yards and four touchdowns.
Week 16 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
In the one-score loss at Indianapolis last week, Deshaun Watson threw for a season-high 373 yards and two scores. With the Texans unable to run the ball with any consistency Watson has passed for over 300 yards in four of the last five contests and has posted a career-high 27 TD tosses. Has a good matchup versus a below-average Cincy pass defense on Sunday.
Week 15 at Indianapolis Colts
Without many of their weapons, Deshaun Watson and the Texans' offense struggled at Chicago last week, scoring only seven points and totaling just over 260 yards. David Johnson (COVID) and Brandin Cooks (foot/neck) should both return for much-needed help on Sunday. In the loss to the Colts a couple of weeks ago Watson threw for 341 yards and ran for 38 yards and a score.
Week 14 at Chicago Bears
Although the Texans lost to the Colts last week, Deshaun Watson again posted a 300-yard performance. It was his first game this season without a passing TD, but he finished with 341 yards through the air and 38 yards and a score on the ground. Watson has thrown for at least 300 yards seven times this season, including three in a row. The Bears just allowed Matthew Stafford a 400-yard outing last week so expect another solid performance from Watson.
Week 13 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Deshaun Watson has put up big numbers the last two games, throwing for over 660 yards, rushing for 60 yards and accounting for seven TDs without an interception. The Lions defense had no answer for Watson on Thanksgiving Day, as he reached 300 yards through the air for the sixth time this season, tossing for four scores for the second time in ’20. While he’s always a must-start, things may be a bit tougher on Sunday versus the league’s No. 5 overall defense and without his top WR Will Fuller who's been suspended through the rest of the regular season due to PEDs.
Week 12 at Detroit Lions
At home last Sunday, Deshaun Watson put on another show versus the Patriots, throwing for 344 yards, rushing for another 36 yards, and combining for three scores. It was the first time this season he’d avoided a sack and the third time he accounted for at least three touchdowns. The Lions have the sixth-worst defense in the league and don’t have much time to prepare for the Houston offense, so keep on starting Watson.
