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 mobility stands out most — the 82nd 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
2022 ScoutIndex Rating · QB
Methodology23th percentile among QBs
6 games · 190 dropbacks
2022 attribute card
click a row to see the formulagroup averages
Athleticism
Speed77▶
Percentile of 40-yard dash time among QBs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.
Burst73▶
Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine QBs.
Agility74▶
Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine QBs (faster = higher).
Size66▶
Height/weight z-score vs. the QB cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).
Passing
Arm Strength24▶
Average depth of target on all attempts (air yards ÷ attempts) — a proxy for arm strength; true velocity needs radar-tracked data.
Accuracy23▶
Completion % over expected (CPOE), attempt-weighted across the season.
Ball Security33▶
Interceptions ÷ dropback (fewer is better).
Decisions & Mobility
Sack Avoidance7▶
Sacks ÷ dropback (fewer is better) — pocket movement and quick decisions, as far as box-score data can show it.
Mobility82▶
Rushing EPA plus rushing yardage per game, from scrambles and designed runs.
Impact
Efficiency29▶
(Passing EPA + rushing EPA) ÷ dropback — the Rating's largest component.
Volume58▶
Total dropbacks (attempts + sacks) this season.
Conversion28▶
(Passing first downs + ½ passing TD) ÷ dropback.
Career (regular season)
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)
- Most passing yards in a game426, 5 TD vs ATL, 2019 Week 5
- Most rushing yards in a game70, 1 TD vs TEN, 2018 Week 12
- Most receiving yards in a game6 on 1 catches, 1 TD vs NE, 2019 Week 13
2022 splits
regular season| Split | G | Pass yds | Pass TD | INT | Rush yds | Rush TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 2 | 296 148/g | 1 | 1 | 46 23/g | 1 |
| Away | 4 | 806 202/g | 6 | 4 | 129 32/g | 0 |
| In division | 3 | 667 222/g | 4 | 3 | 99 33/g | 0 |
| Out of division | 3 | 435 145/g | 3 | 2 | 76 25/g | 1 |
| In wins | 3 | 461 154/g | 4 | 1 | 74 25/g | 0 |
| In losses | 3 | 641 214/g | 3 | 4 | 101 34/g | 1 |
| On grass | 4 | 695 174/g | 6 | 3 | 121 30/g | 1 |
| On turf | 2 | 407 204/g | 1 | 2 | 54 27/g | 0 |
| Indoors | 1 | 131 131/g | 0 | 1 | 21 21/g | 0 |
| Outdoors | 5 | 971 194/g | 7 | 4 | 154 31/g | 1 |
2022 game log
| Wk | Opp | Line | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 13 | HOU | 131 pass yds, 0 TD, 1 INT · 21 rush yds, 0 TD | 33.8 |
| Week 14 | CIN | 276 pass yds, 1 TD, 1 INT · 33 rush yds, 0 TD | 52.9 |
| Week 15 | BAL | 161 pass yds, 1 TD, 0 INT · 22 rush yds, 0 TD | 46.1 |
| Week 16 | NO | 135 pass yds, 0 TD, 1 INT · 24 rush yds, 1 TD | 33.5 |
| Week 17 | WAS | 169 pass yds, 3 TD, 0 INT · 31 rush yds, 0 TD | 59.2 |
| Week 18 | PIT | 230 pass yds, 2 TD, 2 INT · 44 rush yds, 0 TD | 50.3 |
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
- Denzel BostonWR · 2026
- Quinshon JudkinsRB · 2026
- KC ConcepcionWR · 2026
- Harold Fannin Jr.TE · 2026
- Jerry JeudyWR · 2026
- Raheim SandersRB · 2026
- Isaiah BondWR · 2026
- Jaleel McLaughlinRB · 2026
Drafted in round 1, 2017
- Myles GarrettLB · pick 1
- Mitchell TrubiskyQB · pick 2
- Solomon ThomasDT · pick 3
- Leonard FournetteRB · pick 4
- Corey DavisWR · pick 5
- Jamal AdamsLB · pick 6
- Mike WilliamsWR · pick 7
- Christian McCaffreyRB · pick 8
Also from Clemson
- Avieon TerrellCB · 2026–2026
- Antonio WilliamsWR · 2026–2026
- Adam RandallRB · 2026–2026
- Blake MillerOT · 2026–2026
- Cade KlubnikQB · 2026–2026
- DeMonte CapehartDT · 2026–2026
- TJ ParkerLB · 2026–2026
- Wade WoodazLB · 2026–2026