Texans fined, stripped of fifth-round pick for salary-cap violation

The Texans’ decision to give then-quarterback Deshaun Watson accommodations outside their team facility in 2020 has resulted in league discipline being handed down. The NFL announced on Thursday that Houston has been docked their fifth-round pick in this year’s draft and fined $175K for a salary cap violation.

The Texans gave Watson $26,777 for membership at the Houstonian Hotel, because COVID-19 protocols prevented him from being allowed to workout at the team’s facility. That move, in the league’s eyes, constitutes player compensation rather than a player benefits cost as the Texans categorized it, and has thus been deemed a CBA violation.

“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 said in a statement.

“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.”

Even with the forfeited fifth-rounder, Houston still boasts the most draft picks in 2023 (11 in total). That figure includes the Browns’ top selection this year, one of the three first-round picks acquired as part of the Watson trade last offseason. 

Houston is in an interesting situation as it currently holds the second overall pick – the highest slot amongst teams knowing they will be selecting a signal-caller, though movement in the top 10 is expected to take place. The Texans now have six Day 3 picks, but none in Round 5, as a result of this discipline.