One thing is evident from NFL.com's feature examining the possible landing spots for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson — no one has a clue how this will turn out. Seven different contributors were asked to predict the outcome of the Texans-Watson saga, and it resulted in six different answers. The New York Jets, picked by Jeffri Chadiha and Marc Ross, were the only team named more than once.
The other teams mentioned were the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, and Miami Dolphins. The Colts, picked by Nate Burleson, are always an interesting option to hear. If you are the Texans, do you want to be forced to part ways with Watson only to have to face him twice a year?
Former NFL offensive lineman turned analyst Joe Thomas picked the San Francisco 49ers as a logical destination for Watson, and he doesn't believe it will be as costly as most are predicting.
"I see Watson landing in the Bay Area, as he'd be a perfect fit in Kyle Shanahan's offense, which utilizes athletic quarterbacks who can throw on the move and dynamic playmakers who stretch the field from sideline to sideline," wrote Thomas. "Generally, a quarterback of Watson's age (25) and talent would garner at least two first-round picks, but this year's free agency market offers an inordinate supply of good-to-very-good quarterbacks. With a pool like this, I believe trade values will be lower than the historical trend."
With Watson's addition, San Francisco would likely become an instant favorite to represent the NFC in next year's Super Bowl. We'll have to wait and see what the market for the quarterback ends up being, but most expect it to be highly competitive.
Watson, in his fourth season in the NFL, led the league with 4,823 passing yards while throwing a career-high 33 touchdowns, a career-low seven interceptions, and completing a career-best 70.2 percent of his passes.
"The 49ers don't have a surplus of draft picks to send to Houston, but I expect them to trade a first-round pick and QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who's quite familiar with new Texans general manager Nick Caserio," added Thomas.
Before being hired this month by the Texans, Caserio spent two decades with the New England Patriots. He was the director of player personnel when the Patriots drafted Garoppolo in 2014.
Of course, Garoppolo would have to approve a trade to the Texans — or any trade. He has a no-trade clause for this year within his contract.
"The Texans and Caserio would love to bring in Garoppolo to start rebuilding the franchise with a Patriots-looking team," noted Thomas, "which is what every New England disciple tries to do. No better way to do that than secure a former Pats quarterback."
