NFL.com: Deshaun Watson to replace Tom Brady in 'superstar club'

Watson was recently in Clemson for a camp. He is seen as an NFL superstar going into his third season.

Brandon Rink · Assoc. Editor / Staff Writer · Monday, July 15 2019

An NFL.com ranking of the top players in pro football has Deshaun Watson going into the 'superstar club' this season.

NFL.com's Dan Hanzus replaced reigning Super Bowl-winner Tom Brady to make room for the national-championship-winning QB:

"Before the 2017 NFL Draft, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney warned franchises against passing on Watson, saying they'd be remembered like the NBA teams that passed on Michael Jordan. Two years in, Watson has all the look of the transformative presence the Texans believed they were getting with the 12th overall pick. Watson was a stud in his first full season as starter in 2018, accounting for 31 of Houston's 38 offensive touchdowns and showing no ill-effects from the knee injury that prematurely ended his rookie season."

Other NFL QBs in the tier include Drew Brees, Andrew Luck, Patrick Mahomes, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz and Russell Wilson.

Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins, who was one of four Madden 20 players to get the maximum rating, of course holds a spot among the superstar wide receivers as well.

The NFL.com superstar description: "What is a superstar? Well, it's hardly scientific. There's no hard statistical markers one must cross to earn the distinction. Production is obviously a big part of it, but charisma counts, too. It matters how the player carries himself. How he represents his team and the city he plays for. How he is viewed by his contemporaries. When he walks in the door, does he change the temperature of the room? He better."