Dolphins, Panthers trade finalists for Texans QB Deshaun Watson?

It has been known for a while that Deshaun Watson wants out of Houston, and now the Texans quarterback may be closer to getting his wish than ever. 

According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, there's "mounting chatter" that Watson will be traded in the coming days.

"The two finalists are believed to be the Panthers and the Dolphins. (The Broncos and Eagles also had been linked to Watson)," Florio writes. "If it happens, it would turn things upside down for whichever team gets Watson."

The Texans were initially looking for three first-round picks in exchange for Watson, but it's unclear if that's still the case. 

Even though Watson is unhappy in Houston and a deal appears to be on the horizon, any team interested in him must do its due diligence on the serious allegations the three-time Pro Bowler is facing. 

Watson is facing civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct against 22 women. Even though no criminal charges have been filed, he could still face an NFL suspension and possibly more. 

The Dolphins have been linked to Watson since it was revealed he wanted a move out of Houston. The Clemson product reportedly has Miami toward the top of his list of preferred destinations. If the Dolphins were to land Watson, they'd almost certainly have to include Tua Tagovailoa as part of any trade package, even though he's largely unproven at the NFL level. 

As for the Panthers, a follow-up report from Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports said Carolina is not pursuing Watson "at this time." However, the club's stance could change, pending the results of lawsuits Watson is facing.

The Panthers recently acquired Sam Darnold from the New York Jets and are prepared to enter the 2021 campaign with him as their starting quarterback. If he fails to impress, the franchise might be more inclined to seriously consider a move for Watson. 

Meanwhile, the Broncos named Teddy Bridgewater their starting quarterback and the Eagles, who traded for Gardner Minshew on Saturday, enter the season with Jalen Hurts as QB1. Watson would be an upgrade for either team, so even though they aren't considered finalists, keep an eye on both franchises as the regular season approaches.