Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL Draft: FanSided Targets Clemson QB Deshaun Watson as 49ers Biggest Need

By Peter Panacy

Mar 3, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The San Francisco 49ers do need a long-term quarterback and could look to the NFL Draft for an answer. And FanSided’s John Buhler suggests the Niners will go with Clemson QB Deshaun Watson in Round 1.

FanSided’s John Buhler just put together a 32-team NFL Draft breakdown of team needs and has the San Francisco 49ers going with Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Buhler told us what we already know — the Niners need talent. A lot of it. Armed with the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft, general manager John Lynch needs to make a splash capable of turning around the franchise.

But will it be Watson?

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

First, let’s look at what Buhler had to say about a potential Watson-to-49ers scenario:

"Watson doesn’t have to start in 2017. He can sit and learn behind new 49ers starting quarterback Brian Hoyer, a signal caller who thrived in Shanahan’s West Coast offense when they were together with the 2014 Browns. Watson projects as an NFL starting quarterback, but may not be entirely accurate enough or have the arm strength to be a star.That’s why San Francisco is the best landing spot for him. Watson will fit in fantastically in Shanahan’s West Coast system. If he overtakes Hoyer mid-season on the 49ers depth chart, so be it. It’s not like Hoyer has done much to assert himself as a great NFL quarterback once the weather changes."

Granted, Buhler did mention the Niners could go defense first with the pick, perhaps going after Stanford’s Solomon Thomas in a “best player available” mindset.

But do we here at Niner Noise agree?

Pros to the Argument

Watson certainly isn’t a polished product ready to take on life at the NFL level. But Buhler admits this and gives the Niners a chance to groom the young quarterback for one season.

While a number of draft experts have pegged North Carolina’s Mitchell Trubisky as the No. 1 quarterbacking prospect in this year’s draft, Watson is the one who tore up the NFL Scouting Combine. And Watson has certainly done more under the big lights.

Just ask the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Watson might take a while to adjust to a more pro-style offense. And it’s easy to question his NFL skill set, stating he’s little more than a one-read signal-caller.

But Watson has proven doubters wrong at every level. It wouldn’t be a shock to see him do so again.

Cons to the Argument

Watson in a 49ers uniform would be fine. The major issue is he’s not worth it at No. 2 overall. Later in Round 1, perhaps. But not that early.

OK, so the Niners can trade down and acquire more draft picks, right? Well, not so fast. That would imply another team is eager to move up. And there hasn’t been a lot of buzz around to support this lately.

More from Niner Noise

On top of that, Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan don’t have to feel rushed into drafting a quarterback. Both have six-year deals, and next year’s prospective quarterbacking class is supposed to be notably better than the 2017 bunch.

So even if Watson slips into Round 2 — he won’t — the Niners still won’t be pressed into acting.

Next: 2017 NFL Draft: Two-Round Mock for All 32 Teams

Honestly, it’s doubtful San Francisco goes this route. In all likelihood, Lynch wants to address the defense through the draft and will use the team’s first pick to address what was the league’s worst unit in 2017.