DeShaun Watson on Lamar Jackson: 'He can do the things I've done (as an NFL rookie)'

Gentry Estes | Courier Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Going Pro: Lamar Jackson's Career at U of L A look at some highlights of Jackson's career with the University of Louisville Cardinals.

One of the more depressing storylines of this past NFL season had to do with former Clemson quarterback DeShaun Watson's injury.

Watson tore his ACL in a practice a few days into November, ended what had been an electrically entertaining rookie season with the Houston Texans. In only seven games, Watson threw for 1,699 yards and 19 touchdowns (compared to eight interceptions). He had 12 passing touchdowns in his final three games (yes, that's a whopping four per game) and torched the Seattle Seahawks' defense for 402 passing yards in the game before the season-ending knee injury.

Watson also ran for 269 yards, demonstrating an ability to extend plays and cause problems for defenses, much like he did at Clemson. Had he continued on that overall statistical pace, Watson would have cruised to the NFL's offensive rookie of the year award despite being the third quarterback drafted in 2017 behind Mitch Trubisky (Chicago) and Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City).

Morning Coffee: Hey NFL, when it comes to Lamar Jackson and the draft, don't overthink it

You may like: What a guy! Lamar Jackson's autograph signing events raise $29,000 for charity

See also: Relive Lamar Jackson's 10 best moments as a Louisville Cardinal

Now recovering from the knee injury, Watson appeared Wednesday night on "Super Bowl Prime," an NFL Network show filmed live with hosts Deion Sanders and LaDainian Tomlinson.

"Ain't it a trip?" Sanders said to Watson. "They build you up in college to be that guy, and rightfully so. You were that guy. Then they tear you down right before the draft. But then you go into the pros and then the thing that they tear you down for, they're praising you for doing, making something happen when the play breaks down."

As a follow up on the same topic, Tomlinson then asked Watson about former Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, whose own NFL draft stock is perceived as being behind several other quarterbacks at this part of the process.

"I think he can come into the league and produce," said Watson of Jackson. "If he gets around the right coach that's going to buy time and be patient with teaching him the offense, teaching him the things to be very productive at this level, I mean, he can do the things I've done. He's shifty, has a strong arm, makes good decisions, quick decisions, quick release."

Watson, of course, finished second to Jackson in the 2016 Heisman Trophy voting before leading Clemson past Alabama to the national championship.

Sanders mentioned that Jackson could end up with the Jacksonville Jaguars, one of Houston's divisional rivals in the AFC South. Watson wasn't a fan of that idea.

"I don't want him to go to the Jacksonville," Watson said. "Send him to the North."