NFL strips Houston Texans of draft pick, assesses fine for salary cap violation regarding Deshaun Watson

The Houston Texans are still dealing with issues stemming from their time with former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson. The NFL announced on Thursday that the Texans must forfeit a fifth-round draft pick this year, as well as $175,000 in fines, for a salary cap reporting violation.

“Following a review, the NFL determined that the club provided then Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson with undisclosed compensation in the form of a membership at an alternative athletic facility in 2020,” the NFL’s announcement reads. “Pursuant to the salary cap requirements in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, clubs must report any player compensation or benefit.”

The Texans still have two first-round picks, including No. 2 overall, two third-round picks, a pick in rounds 3-5 and four sixth-round picks.

Sources: NFL is taking a fifth-round pick from the Texans and fining them $175,000 for what the league believes is a salary-cap violation and what Houston believes is an accounting error that dates back Deshaun Watson’s training during COVID.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2023

Watson’s membership at The Houstonian, an upscale hotel and health club, which the Texans provided, was under scrutiny throughout his ordeal in 2021. The former Texans quarterback eventually settled with several sexual harassment/misconduct accusers.

Watson agreed to an unpaid suspension for 11 games and paid a $5 million fine. He eventually took a five-year, $230 million deal to go to the Browns and leave Houston.

Texans respond to loss of draft pick

Following the NFL’s announcement, the Houston Texans released a statement claiming full cooperation with the league.

“During the 2020 league year and while its facilities were closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Club absorbed $26,777 in costs for player benefits for the use of alternate athletic facilities, which it understands should have been charged instead to player salaries,” the Texans shared.

“The Club has fully cooperated with the League in its investigation of these matters and maintains that it had no intention to circumvent any salary cap rules or gain any sort of competitive advantage. While we disagree with the League’s ruling, we will accept the imposed discipline and move forward.”