Would Dan Orlovsky’s hypothetical Giants-Deshaun Watson trade work?

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky has an idea for what the Giants could give up in a potential trade for Texans superstar quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Deshaun Watson is in the news.

And if you’re the Texans organization or a Texans fan hoping for a sheer improvement from the four-win 2020 campaign, it’s nothing fantastic. The superstar quarterback requested a trade and is seemingly unhappy with the team that drafted him nearly four years ago.

Of course, now you hear of teams who could be in the mix to trade for the expensive but extremely talented quarterback. The Panthers, who may not be fully set on Teddy Bridgewater, might be in play. Same with the 49ers, Washington, and the Jets, who are potentially the favorites to land Watson.

But could the Giants find themselves in the conversation as well? Some suggest no and believe in the anticipated development of Daniel Jones, while others suggest there could actually be a possibility.

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky sits in the latter category, recently introducing the idea of the Giants sending Jones, Saquon Barkley, and three first-round picks to Houston for the 2020 passing-yard leader.

"If I was Dave Gettleman of the New York Giants, I would take Daniel Jones, I would take Saquon Barkley and I would take three first-round picks, and I would call Houston."

—@danorlovsky7 on Deshaun Watson pic.twitter.com/K5Ud2nCTb5

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 29, 2021

Now that’s an absolutely massive haul for Watson, one that would encompass not just three future picks but also two of the Giants’ most recent first-round selections as well.

Listen, Watson’s a superstar. Fans know this; teams know this; everyone knows this. That’s why the Texans aren’t exactly keen on moving off of him. His production level in 2020 amid a coaching change, no DeAndre Hopkins, a putrid offensive line, and instability/dysfunction in and around the organization was nothing short of remarkable.

But in that specific scenario, the Giants would simply be giving up too much, and it’s not something they could handle despite the fact they’d be acquiring a quarterback who’s lightyears ahead of Jones.

If the Giants were to snag Watson via this trade, they would be giving up their top offensive playmaker in Barkley, any near-future first-round pick to improve the roster, as well as the opportunity to re-sign Leonard Williams and Dalvin Tomlinson this offseason (either will be expensive, the former especially). Taking on Watson’s contract ($156 million deal with cap hits of $15.9 million, $40.4 million, and $42.4 million over the next three years) means the Giants would likely say goodbye to both of those dominant defensive linemen, which would decrease the talent level of the defensive roster as a whole.

The Giants also don’t possess multiple first-round picks over the next two years like the Jets do. At the moment, they just have one in each of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 drafts.

Moving off of three consecutive early picks, parting ways with two productive defensive players, and saying goodbye to a superb talent like Barkley while still rebuilding? For an extremely talented quarterback who may or may not increase the win total by a significant amount given the other organizational issues that would be outside of his control?

It’s a fun idea to introduce. However, not the correct one, nor one the Giants should consider in the coming weeks and/or months.