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There is no substantial report that the Houston Texans intend on trading Deshaun Watson. Nor is there any substantial reporting that Watson has or will request a trade. However, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Thursday reported Watson is not happy with the Texans after some of their offseason maneuvering and hasn’t spoken with the club over the last few days. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the same.
Watson is an impactful enough player that any word of his possible movement is something the 49ers should be keeping tabs on.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has expressed support for Jimmy Garoppolo and intends on him being the starter unless a massive upgrade is on the table.
In the event Watson goes on the trading block, he jumps immediately to the top of a short list of potentially available quarterbacks who represent that massive upgrade. He may actually be the only player on the list depending on how the team feels about some other veteran quarterbacks around the league.
San Francisco passed on Watson when they picked third in the 2017 draft, opting instead to bolster their defensive line with Solomon Thomas. A chance to also wind up with Watson while he’s still in his mid-20s would help alleviate the ramifications of the significant swing and miss that launched John Lynch’s tenure as general manager.
One barrier to a 49ers-Watson connection would be the cost of acquiring such a significant quarterback in his prime. There aren’t many teams that wouldn’t place a call about the Pro Bowler. It’s not unthinkable that his price would involve three or more first-round picks, multiple Day 2 picks and a quality starter. It’s steep, but securing a franchise signal caller while he’s 25-years old would be well worth that price tag for a team like San Francisco that’s still in search of its long-term answer under center.
It’s worth emphasizing that Watson isn’t on the trading block, but Rapoport’s reports represent the first signs of smoke. And the 49ers would be wise to keep a close eye out for a potential fire.