Why the 49ers Must Avoid QB Deshaun Watson in the NFL Draft

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Yes, Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garoppolo are likely off the market. Still, the San Francisco 49ers must not fall into the trap of drafting a quarterback too early. Deshaun Watson has potential star power but he’s a poor fit for the red and gold.

Quarterback is king in today’s NFL.

Matt Ryan and Tom Brady were the two best QBs in the NFL last season. It was no wonder that they met up in the Super Bowl.

Brady has shown time and again that an elite signal-caller can help cover a team’s deficiencies. Just check his trophy cabinet. For a team like the San Francisco 49ers, who have needs at almost every position, getting the right QB can stabilize a rocky franchise.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

That’s the challenge that GM John Lynch and new head coach Kyle Shanahan face as they head towards the draft.

They have to select the “right” QB. Armed with the No. 2 overall pick, the 49ers will have their choice of rookie QB, if they decide to go that route.

The Cleveland Browns will likely go with Texas A&M stud linebacker Myles Garrett with the first pick of draft.

Per NFL.com, there are at least eight different franchises that need a QB.

That inflates the value of what is considered a relatively weak quarterback class. Among those with the most inflated value is Clemson’s Deshaun Watson.

While the 49ers will have the opportunity to take him at No. 2, they must avoid him at all costs in the upcoming NFL Draft.