Both Deshaun Watson and Matthew Stafford could be available to trade, and Watson is a better quarterback than Stafford. We know that.
But to get Watson, the 49ers would have to send the Houston Texans at least three first-round choices and three second-round choices. And that would probably not be enough. Because 49ers have 12th choice this year – not very well – and would compete for Watson with teams that have much higher choices in the draft, teams like Jets and Dolphins, who have the second and third choices in the next draft, respectively.
So 49ers probably can’t even catch Watson. And if they somehow managed to get it, they would have to pay him $ 35 million a season starting in 2022. And that’s a lot for him.
Stafford will be much cheaper.
Stafford would cost 49ers perhaps a choice in the first round and a choice in the second round. And then, if they acquired it, they would have to pay him only $ 20 million in 2021 and only $ 23 million in 2022. That means it would be cheaper than Jimmy Garoppolo. And significantly better.
Hypothetically, the 49ers could send Garoppolo back to the Patriots, probably for a second round pick, and then send that pick to Detroit in a Stafford package.
And Detroit can accept that offer. The new Lions general manager, Brad Holmes, was recently asked about Stafford and did not guarantee him a place on the Lions 2021 list.
“It is my job to evaluate the entire list,” said Holmes, “and through that process, I have had no argument with Matt or any other player. So, you know, I just want to be fair in the process of making sure we evaluate that carefully, but obviously, Matt, an excellent football player. “
Yes, obviously. And very achievable, it seems. Much more than Watson.
Answer the phone, Kyle Shanahan. Call Holmes. See what he wants for Stafford.
It couldn’t hurt.