When Shannon Sharpe curved Patrick Mahomes for Deshaun Watson
Quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson were a part of the 2017 NFL quarterback class. Both quarterbacks were standouts in college: Mahomes with Texas Tech and Watson with Clemson.
The NFL quarterback prospects were seen as potential franchise stars and Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe had a preference for one over the other.
Ahead of the 2017 draft, Sharpe shared his thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs drafting Mahomes with the 10th overall pick. The Hall of Famer was not a fan of the pick at the time. Here's what he said on "Undisputed:"
"The Kansas City Chiefs are also gonna take a quarterback but it's going to be a developmental quarterback and a great landing spot.
"The West Coast offense is very friendly to quarterbacks with basic shallow cross-checks. So Patrick Mahomes. I don't like it. I do not like this pick. I mean, like I said before, project quarterbacks are the only ones they'll take a project. They'll sit him and wait."
Sharpe added:
"I love the Deshaun Watson trade because they didn't have to give up a whole lot to get him. This is the best fit. He has the best team. He has the best pedigree. He has the best resume. That's good enough for me."
Sharpe was right about Patrick Mahomes as he started just one game for the Chiefs in his rookie season. Watson went 12th overall to the Houston Texans, starting six games for the team. The former Clemson star finished third in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting in the 2017 season.
However, Mahomes and Watson's careers took vastly different paths following their respective rookie seasons.
Patrick Mahomes' stock rose while Deshaun Watson's took a hit
In his second season, the Chiefs gave Mahomes the keys to the franchise as their starting quarterback. The Texas Tech star led the league in touchdowns (50) and finished second in yards (5,097) in the 2018 season. He won both NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Watson threw for 4,165 yards with 26 touchdowns that same season but was also sacked a league-high 62 times that season.
Patrick Mahomes reached and won his first Super Bowl in the 2019 season. In that campaign, Mahomes and the Chiefs defeated Watson and the Texans in the Divisional Round by a 51-31 score. They threw for a combined 709 yards and five touchdowns in the high-scoring matchup.
Watson played one final season with the Texans in 2020 before being traded to the Cleveland Browns last March. The Browns later gave him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. Mahomes is in his sixth season with the Chiefs and is arguably the best quarterback in the NFL.
After a lengthy suspension and a disappointing start with the Browns, we'll see if Watson can revive his career. Cleveland will certainly hope that he can match the success Mahomes has seen thus far.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Undisputed and H/T Sportskeeda.