The San Francisco 49ers will be hosting Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson this week, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The 49ers are permitted to host up to 30 players for visits at the team's headquarters in Santa Clara, California. Visitors to the team's headquarters are not allowed to work out for the team unless they are local prospects.
Big week for #Clemson QB Deshaun Watson: He's visiting the #49ers (No. 2) today and tomorrow, then has #AZCardinals on Wednesday, per source
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 10, 2017
UPDATE:
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan informed the media that the team's meeting with Watson will actually take place on Tuesday, April 11. Shanahan met with North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky last week.
The 49ers held a semi-private workout with Watson and one other NFL team on March 22. It took place during a trip by 49ers general manager John Lynch as he traveled to observe North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky and Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer at their respective schools' pro days.
The 49ers are in need of a quarterback of the future. The team signed former Chicago Bears quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley during the first two days of free agency but neither are seen as long-term solutions. The 49ers did not re-sign any of the quarterbacks who were with the team in 2016 and it is very unlikely that they will do so this offseason.
Watson ended his collegiate career winning a National Championship in the final seconds of the game with a game-winning touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow. He finished the game completing 36 of his 56 passes and throwing three touchdowns. Watson did not throw an interception against the defending champion Alabama Crimson Tide.
In two games against the Crimson Tide, both national title matchups, Watson has amassed 941 yards of total offense, thrown seven touchdowns, and just one interception against an Alabama defense that was in the discussion as one of the best ever.
In 2016, Watson completed 67.6-percent of his passes for 3,914 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. He has a career completion percentage of 68.4-percent.
Lance Zierlein of NFL Media, who compares Watson to Marcus Mariota, had the following to say in his scouting report:
"Teams will have to weigh the inconsistent field vision and decision-making against his size, athleticism, leadership and production. While not perfect, teams can add checks to both arm and accuracy boxes for Watson. However, discussions about whether or not his areas of improvement can be corrected will likely determine whether a team will view him as a high-upside prospect or a franchise quarterback. Watson's transition from Clemson's offense to a pro-style attack will obviously take time, but his combination of intangibles and athletic ability make him worth a first-round selection."
Measurables
Height: 6-2
Weight: 221 lbs.
Arm length: 33 inches
Hand length: 9 3/4 inches
NFL Scouting Combine
40-time: 4.66 seconds
Vertical: 32.5 inches
Broad jump: 119 inches
3-cone drill: 6.95 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.31 seconds
College Statistics
Year | G | Comp | Att | Yds | Pct | TD | Int |
2014 | 8 | 93 | 137 | 1,466 | 67.9% | 14 | 2 |
2015 | 15 | 333 | 491 | 4,104 | 67.8% | 35 | 13 |
2016 | 15 | 388 | 579 | 4,593 | 67.0% | 41 | 17 |
Totals | 38 | 814 | 1,207 | 10,163 | 67.4% | 90 | 32 |