Deshaun Watson — 2026 Fantasy Outlook

Watson's final three seasons in Houston (2019–2021) were quietly excellent (a 25-22 record with two winning campaigns, a 68.7% completion rate, and 8.3 yards per attempt), even if the pass volume (32.9 attempts per game) sat below league average. His peak fantasy value arrived in 2020, when he led the NFL in passing yards (4,823) and accounted for 36 combined touchdowns. He was a legitimate rushing threat from 2018 to 2020, though an alarming sack total (62, 44, and 49 over those three seasons) was always the shadow over his game.

The Cleveland era was a slow-motion decline. In his 2022 return from suspension, Watson never found his footing (31 or fewer pass attempts in five of six starts), sub-170 passing yards in four games, and only two multi-touchdown outings. His completion rate dropped to 58.2%, and yards per attempt fell to 6.5, both significant regressions from his Houston benchmarks. 2023 was worse. Outside of one serviceable outing (305 yards and two touchdowns), Watson struggled to generate anything through the air, averaged just 5.6 yards per attempt over his first two starts, and eventually underwent shoulder surgery in late November after missing most of four games.

The 2024 season was his last starting chapter. Watson went 1-6 over seven games, failed to crack 200 passing yards in any matchup, and absorbed 33 sacks while averaging a diminished 5.3 yards per attempt. A torn Achilles in Week 7 (requiring two surgeries) ended his season and, in all likelihood, his relevance as an NFL starter.

Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Guardians

Sanders built his college foundation at Jackson State, going 23-3 over two seasons with 6,963 passing yards, 70 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He contributed nine rushing touchdowns on 188 carries, though his net rushing yards (156) were held down by how college football accounts for sack yardage against a quarterback's rushing totals.

The step up to Power Five competition at Colorado in 2023 came with growing pains (a 4-7 record and 3,230 passing yards), but 27 touchdowns against just three interceptions showed the decision-making held up under the increased scrutiny. He took a major leap in 2024, going 9-4 with a 74.0% completion rate, 4,134 passing yards, and a school-record 37 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. The sack totals remained a persistent issue (94 over two seasons in Boulder, including 42 in 2024), and his net rushing production across both years went negative once sack yardage was factored in.

The numbers are impressive, but context is worth examining. Sanders frequently targeted tight windows downfield and leaned heavily on his receivers to make difficult plays. Travis Hunter, Heisman winner, was the engine behind much of that production, accounting for 32.2% of Sanders' completions, 30.4% of his passing yards, and 40.5% of his touchdown throws. Replacing that dynamic at the next level won't be straightforward.

As a prospect, Sanders profiles as a pocket passer with enough athleticism to extend plays and pick up first downs with his legs. The arm strength is adequate but not elite, and there's a noticeable lag in his release when he drops back, a habit that NFL pass rushers will look to exploit. He'll also need to rein in his downfield aggression, as the tighter coverage and compressed throwing windows in the pros will demand a more disciplined, take-what-the-defense-gives-you approach.

Over his seven starts in his rookie season, Sanders went 3-4 with a dismal completion rate (56.6%) while gaining 6.6 yards per pass attempt. His winning game (364/3 with three rushing 29 yards and a score) came in Week 14 vs. the Titans. He passed for 209 yards or fewer in his other six matchups, with four touchdowns and seven interceptions. Over this span, Sanders made bigger-than-expected plays with his legs (15/124/0 – 8.3 YPC). Defenses sacked him 23 times over 212 pass attempts.