49ers: 3 available quarterbacks better than Jimmy Garoppolo

1. Deshaun Watson

The 49ers may only move on from Garoppolo if they can take a “big swing” to replace him, and Watson is easily the biggest swing out there. Watson may even welcome a trade to San Francisco, and who would blame if it means working with Shanahan.

To this point, the Houston Texans have remained pretty steadfast publicly that they aren’t trading Watson. But the next time we fully believe public comments from general managers, coaches and the like on matters like these should be the first time, and Watson can make things harder on the Texans at some point if he wants to by not showing up for work or becoming more outward with his desire to leave. And as teams keep calling, it will become harder and harder for GM Nick Caserio (or Jack Easterby pulling the strings) to keep hanging up the phone.

Elsewhere in the NFC West, the Seahawks (as long as Russell Wilson stays), Cardinals and Rams arguably will have one of the top 10-12 quarterbacks in the league for the next couple years. The 49ers don’t have a quarterback in that class as long as Garoppolo is their guy, and Watson is the clearest and most substantial upgrade that’s out there.