Baker Mayfield hints at potential Browns farewell, plus latest buzz on where Deshaun Watson will land

Well hello there, and welcome to the official start of the 2022 NFL offseason. John Breech is doing cartwheels over the Bengals' decision to give Joe Burrow some more protection, but apparently he's been doing too many, because he called out, leaving today's newsletter duties to yours truly, Cody Benjamin.

Anyway, we've got plenty to get to around the busy NFL in today's Pick Six newsletter. So let's get to it. (And please, do yourself a favor and make sure you're signed up to receive this newsletter every day! You don't want to miss our daily offerings of everything you need to know around the NFL.)

We've got free agency:

Today's show: Projecting Deshaun Watson's landing spot

Ryan Wilson and John Breech joined Will Brinson on Wednesday's "Pick Six NFL Podcast," and their biggest topic of discussion was Deshaun Watson, who still faces 22 civil lawsuits but has reportedly drawn a strong trade market this week. Some highlights:

Wilson is convinced the Falcons, a reported late suitor, can't make a Watson deal work financially (and even if they could, he suggested, they'd be "immeasurably worse" by adding him to a depleted supporting cast)
Brinson thinks the Texans shouldn't have instantly denied the Colts permission to speak with Watson, as was reported, mainly because of the chance to rob a division rival of premium draft picks
Breech believes the Panthers will ultimately land Watson, while Wilson likes the Browns as the team with the "most to offer," both financially and personnel-wise, and Brinson, despite a strong belief Panthers owner David Tepper will go all in to secure a deal, predicts the Saints will come through to land the QB

Catch the entire discussion (and subscribe for all kinds of daily NFL talk) right here.

2. Free agency grades: Buccaneers, Chargers among early winners

Technically, free agency doesn't actually begin until 4 p.m. ET today. But with over two days of legal tampering in the books, we've already seen dozens of big names come off the market. That's why we've assigned grades for all 32 teams after the first wave of veteran additions. The early winners? Here's a look at some of the best-graded teams so far:

Broncos (A): Hard not to call them a winner after adding one of the best QBs in the game in Russell Wilson.
Buccaneers (A): Not only did they get Tom Brady back, but they retained Ryan Jensen and improved at WR.
Chargers (A): Retaining Mike Williams was huge for Justin Herbert. But their defensive additions are big, too.
Jets: (A-): Beefing up the line with Laken Tomlinson was smart, and they also got two rising defensive backs.
Eagles (A-): Haason Reddick is an underrated get at a premium position (pass rusher) for their defense.

3. Insider notes: Deshaun Watson iffy on Browns, Panthers

When it comes to the Watson sweepstakes, the QB may well prefer the destination that's most unlikely: Atlanta. That's according to CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora, who believes the embattled Texans star is more hesitant to sign off on other clubs as he looks to find his next home:

The sense among many executives I spoke to this week was that the Falcons were fine with driving up the price on fellow NFC South teams New Orleans and Carolina for Watson, but that it would be difficult for them to pull off the trade themselves. We'll likely find out in the coming days, but for as much as Watson's heart might be in the ATL, and for as iffy as he is on Carolina or Cleveland, from what I'm told, the Falcons will have a lot of work to do to make this happen.

The Saints seem like the best trade match from a personnel standpoint. If Watson lands in Atlanta, especially without (potential trade chip Kyle) Pitts, he will be devoid of any weapons and with a shoddy offensive line and joining a team that will be short on draft picks for years to come to fill those absences. Be careful what you wish for.

4. Baker Mayfield posts potential farewell to Browns fans

Amid reports of Cleveland's pursuit of Watson, the Browns' current QB is reflecting on his time with the AFC North contenders, indirectly hinting his days with the team are coming to a close. Here's a snippet of what he wrote on Twitter late Tuesday:

"I have no clue what happens next, which is the meaning behind the silence I have had during the duration of this process. I can only control what I can, which is trusting in God's plan throughout this process. I have given this franchise everything I have ... And that will not change wherever I take my next snap. Whatever happens, I just want to say thank you to the fans who truly embraced who I am and the mentality that aligned so well with the city's hard-working people."