NFL quarterback dominoes could fall furiously this offseason with Matthew Stafford on the trading block in Detroit, Deshaun Watson demanding out of Houston and numerous other veteran players at the position facing uncertain futures. The 49ers factor prominently among the teams with big decisions to make.
One question requires immediate attention. Would quarterbacks such as Watson and Stafford represent significant enough upgrades from incumbent 49ers starter Jimmy Garoppolo to justify the acquisition costs? Five coaches and evaluators from around the league answered that question for this analysis, raising a couple of counterpoints to the prevailing narratives. We supplement their input with statistical analysis to set the table for an offseason that could be pivotal for coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.
The 25-year-old Watson would count as the ultimate prize, a star on the rise who could command a bounty in return. Stafford, who turns 33 on Super…
