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Matthew Stafford’s hit trade that sent the 12-year veteran to the Los Angeles Rams is unlikely to be the biggest trade involving a quarterback this offseason. Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson wants out, and his market is likely to be strong enough that the Texans can’t afford to play the waiting game with him.
In the event that Watson was dealt, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle offered a picture of what it might take to keep the three-time Pro Bowler away from the Texans. He noted that the deal between the Lions and Rams would not play a role in establishing the market for Watson, but the two first-round picks, a third-round pick and the starting quarterback that landed Stafford in Los Angeles don’t touch McClain’s guess. during a Watson agreement:
Two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a pair of young defensive starters are a hefty price tag for a player. Some teams would say, however, that no price is too high for a 24-year-old franchise quarterback.
One of the possible hurdles San Francisco would have to overcome to acquire Watson is simply the number of assets it could take. They have their own first-round picks to work with and their own second-round picks, so clearing the draft wouldn’t be difficult.
Where things could get potentially interesting and tricky for San Francisco are the players the Texans might want in return.
The 49ers have a number of young players that a team can covet in a trade, but given the nature of the situation with a QB franchise on the other end of the deal, the starting point for the Texans negotiations would begin. probably by Nick Bosa and Fred. Warner.
It’s hard to imagine San Francisco would treat the defensive cornerstones of their franchise with all the choices. A quarterback is important, but treating Bosa and Warner would effectively mean a full rebuild for a defense San Francisco has already spent three years rebuilding. Watson is awesome and the quarterback is the most important position on the field, but blasting the foundation of the defense that led a Super Bowl run just a season ago seems radical.
The 49ers might be ready to deal with one of those two and a few picks in Houston, but giving away several game-changing All-Pro-caliber players of an already formidable forward seven is contrary to everything GM John Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan have been doing it from a team spirit standpoint for the past four years.
Certainly, the whole nature of this deal runs counter to Lynch and Shanahan’s previous offseason. They have shown a willingness to move draft picks when done at relatively low cost. Their trades have never involved a first-round pick, except for their trade in the 2020 draft from No.31 to No.25.
If San Francisco decides to wade through those waters, they could end up displacing DL Javon Kinlaw and LB Dre Greenlaw, for example. Two young defensive starters with the qualities to become true stars of the NFL. They’re also the type of players the 49ers could more easily replace than Bosa and Warner. Kinlaw was the 14th pick overall, but hunting down starting caliber defensive tackles is easier than hunting down game-destroying rushers.
Arik Armstead is another player Houston might want to face. He’s got a pretty big contract, but a versatile defensive lineman who can stay on the pitch and be efficient for three tries could be attractive for a young rebuilding defense.
Any movement the 49ers make in the Watson draw will be outside of their comfort zone, and to end a trade of this magnitude, it will hurt San Francisco a bit. They won’t be able to squeeze in with a good deal, even in the universe where Watson makes his way to the Bay Area.
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