Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is viewed by some as the top prospect for the 2017 NFL draft. If an injury changes that, he’s financially protected.
Clemson has paid for a pair of $5 million insurance policies for Watson, ESPN reports. One of the policies would pay out of Watson suffered a career-ending injury, while the other policy would pay Watson if an injury forces his draft stock to plunge.
“It gives me peace of mind,” Watson told ESPN.
Several college players have bought insurance policies to protect them in such situations, although those policies typically pay far less than a player loses when he suffers a serious injury. Cowboys second-round pick Jaylon Smith, for instance, will reportedly collect $900,000 on his injury policy. The severe injury he suffered in the Fiesta Bowl this year, however, likely cost him nearly $20 million on his rookie contract. And Jaguars second-round pick Myles Jack, who also dropped in the draft because of a knee injury, did not collect anything from his injury policy because it would only make a payment if he fell below the 45th overall pick, and Jack went 36th.
So while an injury policy is a good thing for Watson to have, a much better thing to have will be a healthy 2016 season.