How To Treat Deshaun Watson as Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Target

Deshaun Watson’s Browns debut is officially looming, as the controversial quarterback is expected to start Week 13 against his former team, the Texans. Needless to say, that profiles as both a plus matchup and a “revenge” game for Watson.

That being said, the guy hasn’t played in a game that matters since the 2020 season. To expect him to come in and play like the three-time Pro Bowler we remember might be a little much.

Action Network’s fantasy football experts chime in below on what to expect from Watson.

Sea Koerner: Watson is eligible to return in Week 13, but there is a chance it’ll take him a game or two to shake off the rust. He looked pretty bad in the preseason and he wasn’t able to return to practice until last week, so it’s hard to imagine him returning to top-five status immediately.

However, if you are in desperate need of a potential top-10 QB, especially for the playoffs, you should be aggressive trying to acquire him.

Samantha Previte: Watson practiced with his new squad last week and is expected to make his first NFL start since Week 17 of the 2020 season just after Thanksgiving on the road in Houston.

Backup Jacoby Brissett has been serviceable, but you cannot expect a $230 million player to ride the bench once his suspension is over. Watson was the QB5 in 2018, QB2 in ’19 and QB6 in ’20 — all with limited depth on the Texans.

I expect him to put up at least top-12 numbers with the Browns, who have Amari Cooper, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Harrison Bryant and Donovan Peoples-Jones leading their offensive depth chart. Watson is worth adding prior to Week 13 — especially if you are lean at quarterback and in playoff contention.