NFL Futures Betting Preview: Deshaun Watson

Just 27 days removed from the first Sunday of the new NFL season, time is at a minimum when it comes to ramping things up and getting ready for Week 1. 

As we all know, the Cleveland Browns will host the Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns stadium on Septeber 10th, for what should be an electric divisional matchup to kick off the new season. 

By now, we all know that the success for the Cleveland Browns solely depends on their new franchise quarterback in Deshaun Watson. If he goes, the Browns go. If he doesn't go, the Browns don't go. 

The last time the Browns had a 4,000+ yard passer was Brian Sipe in 1980. Yes, that was 42 years ago. 

For Watson, however, he has thrown for 4,000+ yards in two of his five NFL seasons.

Can Watson hit the 4,000 yard mark this year? What about his over/under for total touchdowns this year? Interceptions? 

Let's take a look at my top three futures bets centered around the Browns franchise quarterback. 

Bet #1: Over 25.5 Passing Touchdowns (+100)

As mentioned before, the only way the Browns succeed this year is if Watson succeeds as well. 

In three of his first five NFL seasons, he has thrown 26+ touchdowns, throwing 33 in his best year as a pro (2020). 

We've already heard about Nick Chubb being more of a pass-catching running back this season, and we have already seen new weapon Elijah Moore catch passes out of the backfield several times in camp. 

The Browns have so many weapons on offense, with most of them being in the receiver room. With a stacked tight end room as well as a deep receiever room, coupled with the Browns already prepping Chubb to become more of a pass-catching back, I expect this number to soar over, finishing the season somewhere around 30 passing touchdowns for Watson. 

Bet #2: Over 3,650.5 Passing Yards (-112)

Even with Nick Chubb on the Browns roster, the Browns are going to have to be a pass-heavy offense to find success. 

As mentioned above, Watson has the best supporting cast today than he ever has in his entire NFL career, including his offensive line in Cleveland. 

We know head coach Kevin Stefanski also likes to implement the screen pass quite frequently, and if they can cook up some schemes to get Chubb out in space off of a dump off from Watson, he could rack up some pretty easy "passing yards" here. 

With the addition of Elijah Moore, I expect some deep ball connections between those two, leading to even more chunk yardage for Watson. I expect Watson to become the first Browns 4,000+ yard passer since 1980, and I expect him to hit that mark this season, leading me to hammer the over here.

Bet #3: Total Interceptions Over 11.5 (+100)

Do I think Watson will have a great year based on the two futures above? Yes, absolutsly. 

Watson is going to be ripping it this year, throwing the football all across the field. In 2019, Watson hit this over, tossing 12 interceptions. Every other season for Watson he was floating around the 8 or 9 mark.

For perspective, in Patrick Mahomes' last two NFL seasons, he has tossed 13 and 12 interceptions, respectively. 

This season, I see Watson floating around that same 12 or 13 mark, while throwing for around 30 passing touchdowns at the same time. 

Browns fans should be in for a very fun season this year, led by number four in brown and orange. 

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