If they decide not to trade Watson before the draft, we should seriously consider trading down from #2 and getting more draft capital next season. I could see the Texans being stubborn and testing Watson's resolve. And if that's the case, getting a 3rd 1st-round pick next year makes us the favorites for Watson next season.
It's a risk, but if they believe in Darnold, that's another potential option. Let Darnold be the guy, and then if Watson becomes truly available, we can push him aside later.
I want us to keep Sam this year and then if he doesn't make the jump I believe he can, draft Spencer Rattler next year. I want to see how far Heismanberg's patience can be pushed.
In all seriousness, I can see the logic to your idea. If Saleh and Lafleur want to see what they can do with Sam for a year while the rest of the roster gets a big rebuild, then trading out of #2 to include a first next year gives us serious firepower in the next offseason to either swing for Watson, or trade up to wherever we need to be to get whoever they want. And if Sam does work out, then they have a ton of picks with which to build around him.
I'd love Watson at the Jets, but I'm increasingly nervous that the price to get him will be high enough that it will hamper our ability to fix the other problems.