ScoutIndex

CLE CLE

Deshaun Watson

QB

A 1st-round pick (12th overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Clemson, Deshaun Watson has built an NFL career since. He's currently with CLE, in his 10th season in the league. He graded out among the best QBs in the league last season — a 84.0 ScoutIndex Rating, the 96th percentile at the position. His arm strength stands out most — the 98th percentile at the position. Across 8 NFL seasons, he has totaled 19,078 passing yards and 130 touchdowns.

Size

6'3", 223#

College

Clemson

Draft

Rd 1, 12th overall (2017)

Seasons

2017–2026

2020 ScoutIndex Rating · QB

Methodology
84

96th percentile among QBs

16 games · 593 dropbacks

Volume×0.1+1.57
Total EPA×0.24+2.33
Conversion×0.08+1.42
Dropback EPA×0.34+1.83
Accuracy (CPOE)×0.12+2.54
Ball security×0.12+1.62

2020 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismPassingDecisions & Impact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed77▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among QBs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burst76▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine QBs.

Agility62▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine QBs (faster = higher).

Size62▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the QB cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Passing

Arm Strength98▶

Average depth of target on all attempts (air yards ÷ attempts) — a proxy for arm strength; true velocity needs radar-tracked data.

Accuracy96▶

Completion % over expected (CPOE), attempt-weighted across the season.

Ball Security95▶

Interceptions ÷ dropback (fewer is better).

Decisions & Mobility

Sack Avoidance6▶

Sacks ÷ dropback (fewer is better) — pocket movement and quick decisions, as far as box-score data can show it.

Mobility83▶

Rushing EPA plus rushing yardage per game, from scrambles and designed runs.

Impact

Efficiency95▶

(Passing EPA + rushing EPA) ÷ dropback — the Rating's largest component.

Volume91▶

Total dropbacks (attempts + sacks) this season.

Conversion90▶

(Passing first downs + ½ passing TD) ÷ dropback.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026CLE45.9611747196
2024CLE28.87114851481
2023CLE48.36111571421
2022CLE416110271751
2020HOU84164823334443
2019HOU72.2153852264137161
2018HOU68.1164165265515
2017HOU63.971699192692

Career profile

Deshaun Watson has appeared in 79 regular-season games across 8 NFL seasons on file, playing for 2 teams: HOU (2017–2020), CLE (2022–2026).

As a passer he has thrown for 19,078 yards and 130 touchdowns with 50 interceptions. He has rushed for 2,338 yards and 20 touchdowns. As a receiver he has caught 1 pass for 6 yards and 1 touchdown. His most productive passing season was 2020 with HOU: 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns in 16 games.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2020: a 84.0, in the 96th percentile among QBs that year.

Career highs (regular season)

2020 splits

regular season
SplitGPass ydsPass TDINTRush ydsRush TD
Home8
2,617
327/g
16
5
213
27/g
2
Away8
2,206
276/g
17
2
231
29/g
1
In division6
2,054
342/g
14
4
176
29/g
1
Out of division10
2,769
277/g
19
3
268
27/g
2
In wins4
1,302
326/g
11
2
135
34/g
1
In losses12
3,521
293/g
22
5
309
26/g
2
On grass14
4,132
295/g
27
7
395
28/g
3
On turf2
691
346/g
6
0
49
25/g
0
Indoors10
3,308
331/g
22
5
262
26/g
2
Outdoors6
1,515
253/g
11
2
182
30/g
1

2020 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1KC253 pass yds, 1 TD, 1 INT · 27 rush yds, 1 TD50.5
Week 2BAL275 pass yds, 1 TD, 1 INT · 17 rush yds, 0 TD45.6
Week 3PIT264 pass yds, 2 TD, 1 INT · 5 rush yds, 0 TD56.2
Week 4MIN300 pass yds, 2 TD, 0 INT · 9 rush yds, 0 TD46.3
Week 5JAX359 pass yds, 3 TD, 2 INT · 25 rush yds, 0 TD62.9
Week 6TEN335 pass yds, 4 TD, 0 INT · 26 rush yds, 0 TD82.7
Week 7GB309 pass yds, 2 TD, 0 INT · 38 rush yds, 0 TD56.5
Week 9JAX281 pass yds, 2 TD, 0 INT · 50 rush yds, 0 TD58.3
Week 10CLE163 pass yds, 1 TD, 0 INT · 36 rush yds, 0 TD52.7
Week 11NE344 pass yds, 2 TD, 0 INT · 36 rush yds, 1 TD77.3
Week 12DET318 pass yds, 4 TD, 0 INT · 24 rush yds, 0 TD78.3
Week 13IND341 pass yds, 0 TD, 1 INT · 38 rush yds, 1 TD48.2
Week 14CHI219 pass yds, 1 TD, 0 INT · 38 rush yds, 0 TD55.4
Week 15IND373 pass yds, 2 TD, 0 INT · 25 rush yds, 0 TD71.5
Week 16CIN324 pass yds, 3 TD, 0 INT · 38 rush yds, 0 TD62.2
Week 17TEN365 pass yds, 3 TD, 1 INT · 12 rush yds, 0 TD62.2

Deshaun Watson — common questions

What position does Deshaun Watson play?
Deshaun Watson is listed as a QB.
Which teams has Deshaun Watson played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Deshaun Watson has played for HOU (2017–2020), CLE (2022–2026).
Where did Deshaun Watson go to college?
Deshaun Watson played college football at Clemson.
When was Deshaun Watson drafted?
Deshaun Watson was selected in round 1, 12th overall, of the 2017 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Deshaun Watson scored?
Deshaun Watson has 151 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (130 passing, 20 rushing, 1 receiving).
What is Deshaun Watson's ScoutIndex Rating?
Deshaun Watson rated 45.9 for 2026, the 43rd percentile among QBs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 1, 2017

Also from Clemson