Back in 2022, DeShaun Watson found his safe haven with the Cleveland Browns signing for a five-year $230M guaranteed contract. Despite the Browns’ unwavering commitment to Watson, some proficient names in the NFL world are still hopeful of backing him up.

While Watson enjoys the admiration of many established as well as up-and-coming talent, there is one particular draft prospect that intends on making a name for himself. Judging from the top picks for the 2023 draft, the Carolina Panthers and the Houston Texans are in an optimal position to grab the top prospects. However, DeShaun Watson being involved might throw a wrench in the Texans’ pursuit.

CJ Stroud to the Texans?

The general consensus around the NFL is one of C.J. Stroud going as either the first or the second pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, making the Houston Texans a likely candidate. But there is one significant hindrance for the Texans, David Mulugheta. David Mulugheta is the agent for both Stroud and DeShaun Watson, and let’s just say he hasn’t had a pleasant experience dealing with the Texans. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has similar concerns regarding Stroud’s representation and the impact it might have on the draft night.

“So you got the Texan, who had a very bad relationship with Deshaun Watson,” says Florio while weighing the possible outcomes.

Looking back on the friction between Deshaun Watson, his agent, and the Texans, Florio opines, “Now we’d have to know what’s going on behind the scenes to try to mend fences. But it was ugly. There’s reasons for the two sides to find, you know, some common ground and the fact that they both did come out of this with a victory, but it was an ugly, nasty process and who knows what was said, between executives and agents”

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Despite Deshaun Watson’s plea to be moved on from the roster, the Texans downright refused, forcing Mulugheta to step in. During this entire process, Watson was also facing countless allegations of sexual misconduct and had to sit out. Overall the back and forth with the Texans’ front office, left a bad taste in Mulugheta’s mouth and maybe that will play a role during Stroud’s big night.

Deshaun Watson inspires Stroud

An agent isn’t the only common thread between Deshaun Watson and the potential 2023 No. 1 pick, C.J. Stroud. Turns out Watson has been of the few to inspire Stroud, as the young phenom finds similarities within their playstyles. Speaking during the NFL Combine, Stroud said, “I looked up to Deshaun Watson a lot, as somebody I feel like I having a similar playing style to.”

Similar to Watson, Stroud exuberates a ton of confidence considering himself one of the best college players, “For me, if you put on my film, I think I’ve been the best player in college football two years in a row, Honestly, I haven’t touched my potential yet.” While the 2023 NFL Draft is something that is bound to attract a ton of attention, the impact Deshaun Watson and David Mulugheta have on his career will be equally thrilling to watch,

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