Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson - Legit alternative to Jared Goff in 2017?

Originally posted by TheBlueHell:
And how am I "disregarding" the OK game? It wasn't his best throwing performance, but he helped control the flow of the game and was a big reason why Clemson could sit on the ball and dominate the second half of that game. He ran all over the Sooners, and then Gallman did the same in the second half.

He is accurate with the ball whether rolling out or in the pocket. Joe Montana and Steve Young rolled out all the time and used their mobility as weapons while still being able to work the pocket. Some people are good enough to be adept all over the field.

Well you've stated before that Watson wasn't or isn't a running QB, I don't see you acknowledging that.



My opinion has been repeated MANY TIMES that I don't think he's a pocket QB but more of a runner. Nowhere am I saying he is awful QB, I just don't think his game will transfer all that well to the next level.

Originally posted by Kolohe:

I didn't say anything was wrong with his passing, I just don't think he's the pocket passer some are trying to make him out to be. He has a tendency to roll out and bail a lot from the pocket. Being able to throw from the pocket isn't the same as being a pocket passer.

Well we will agree to disagree on that also a lot of what the run requires him to move around but he's had plenty of solid in the pocket throws on tape as well....id be ecstatic if he was a Niner and I bet chip would be as well

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Well you've stated before that Watson wasn't or isn't a running QB, I don't see you acknowledging that.



My opinion has been repeated MANY TIMES that I don't think he's a pocket QB but more of a runner. Nowhere am I saying he is awful QB, I just don't think his game will transfer all that well to the next level.

I have said he isn't a "run-first" QB in the vein of several successful college QBs who didn't translate to the NFL. Yes, he is a very good runner. He is faster than you think and kind of glides while doing a great job of avoiding vicious shots. He supposedly has more explosion and is faster now than ever now that he is further removed from that ACL and been able to hit the weights hard. I certainly noticed that he had better and better acceleration as this season progressed. It's funny to think that we haven't come close to seeing him in peak physical form like we will hopefully see all season long this year.

I'm obviously not comparing him to these guys in terms of overall talent, but Joe Montana and John Elway were great pocket passers who happened to also be great runners. Most QBs don't hold both of those qualities obviously, and Steve Young had to learn to become more of a pocket guy considering he was an even better runner than the other two. The two qualities aren't always mutually exclusive, though.

Here's a very short video from last year only that breakdown his pocket accuracy (it literally captions a sequence of plays with this description), mobility, and rollout accuracy. One of the commentators (former QB and NFL player) makes the comment that Watson throws the most consistently accurate deep ball he's seen at any level.

I think the team is fine with Gabbert and Driskel at QB, and even more so if Kaepernick sticks around. They aren't going to waste a top pick at the position in 2017 any more than they did this year. I think they pick in the bottom half of the first round with Chris McCafferey a good possibility for Kelly's offense.

Originally posted by ethanraphael:

I think the team is fine with Gabbert and Driskel at QB, and even more so if Kaepernick sticks around. They aren't going to waste a top pick at the position in 2017 any more than they did this year. I think they pick in the bottom half of the first round with Chris McCafferey a good possibility for Kelly's offense.

Driskel was a 6th round pick. No clue why you're assuming he's a long term answer at the QB position. They didn't trade up to the #1 or #2 pick this year. That doesn't mean we'll pass on a QB and trade down if we have a top pick next year.

Gabbert is also a free agent after this year and it only took a 6th round pick to trade for him. He may not want to be a 49er after this season or we may not view him as a long term answer either.

If we see Watson as a franchise QB, I don't see anyone on our roster keeping us from drafting him.

Lol gotta love how the season hasn't started yet and it's already time to look for the next franchise QB. How about let's at least get midway through the regular season then come back to this scenario if it's really that bad.

Originally posted by ethanraphael:

I think the team is fine with Gabbert and Driskel at QB, and even more so if Kaepernick sticks around. They aren't going to waste a top pick at the position in 2017 any more than they did this year. I think they pick in the bottom half of the first round with Chris McCafferey a good possibility for Kelly's offense.

Driskel is 3rd string QB material at this point, nothing more. His presence onnthe roster certainly wouldnt stop any team from drafting a QB early. Gabbert has been a bust up to this point and Kaepernick had not shown that he can be a complete quarterback and consistently deliver from the pocket.

You have to be delusional to believe that this team is "fine" at the most important position on a football team. Every single quarterback on the roster is a giant question mark.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by ethanraphael:
I think the team is fine with Gabbert and Driskel at QB, and even more so if Kaepernick sticks around. They aren't going to waste a top pick at the position in 2017 any more than they did this year. I think they pick in the bottom half of the first round with Chris McCafferey a good possibility for Kelly's offense.

Driskel is 3rd string QB material at this point, nothing more. His presence onnthe roster certainly wouldnt stop any team from drafting a QB early. Gabbert has been a bust up to this point and Kaepernick had not shown that he can be a complete quarterback and consistently deliver from the pocket.

You have to be delusional to believe that this team is "fine" at the most important position on a football team. Every single quarterback on the roster is a giant question mark.

I think it's entirely possible that one of the QBs plays well enough to win Kelly's confidence going forward, but I also absolutely agree that no one's done it yet. Kap has been impressive in spurts, especially in the playoffs, but he hasn't ben asked to get the ball out like he will be in Kelly's offense. It'd be great if he or Gabbert can be the guy. I think Watson is going 1 or 2 when it's all said and done, and I really hope we aren't in a position to be discussing what to do with a top 2 pick.

Originally posted by ethanraphael:
I think the team is fine with Gabbert and Driskel at QB, and even more so if Kaepernick sticks around. They aren't going to waste a top pick at the position in 2017 any more than they did this year. I think they pick in the bottom half of the first round with Chris McCafferey a good possibility for Kelly's offense.

What you smoking man? Gabbert has done zero since being in the league, I mean nothing. Driskel is a 6th RD draft pick lol. There's no such thing as "wasting" a top pick on the most important position in sports, especially when you have crap at the currently.

Not sure how you think we'll be picking in the bottom half of the first round lol.

Originally posted by TheBlueHell:
I have said he isn't a "run-first" QB in the vein of several successful college QBs who didn't translate to the NFL. Yes, he is a very good runner. He is faster than you think and kind of glides while doing a great job of avoiding vicious shots. He supposedly has more explosion and is faster now than ever now that he is further removed from that ACL and been able to hit the weights hard. I certainly noticed that he had better and better acceleration as this season progressed. It's funny to think that we haven't come close to seeing him in peak physical form like we will hopefully see all season long this year.

I'm obviously not comparing him to these guys in terms of overall talent, but Joe Montana and John Elway were great pocket passers who happened to also be great runners. Most QBs don't hold both of those qualities obviously, and Steve Young had to learn to become more of a pocket guy considering he was an even better runner than the other two. The two qualities aren't always mutually exclusive, though.

Here's a very short video from last year only that breakdown his pocket accuracy (it literally captions a sequence of plays with this description), mobility, and rollout accuracy. One of the commentators (former QB and NFL player) makes the comment that Watson throws the most consistently accurate deep ball he's seen at any level.

Well I'll tell you what Watson is no pocket QB, he's a more athletic type-option QB, with more of a one-read system from the three games I've watched.

Athletic QB



Pocket QB



One can past from the pocket, and the other STAYS in the pocket.

Give me the one who stays in the pocket and utilizes the field, makes smart and quick decisions.

And lol at the Russell Wilson comparisons. Wilson lined up under center and ran a more Pro Style offense, IMO Watson looks a lot like Pat White in college.

Originally posted by Kolohe:

Well I'll tell you what Watson is no pocket QB, he's a more athletic type-option QB, with more of a one-read system from the three games I've watched.

Athletic QB



Pocket QB



One can past from the pocket, and the other STAYS in the pocket.

Give me the one who stays in the pocket and utilizes the field, makes smart and quick decisions.

And lol at the Russell Wilson comparisons. Wilson lined up under center and ran a more Pro Style offense, IMO Watson looks a lot like Pat White in college.

Well I'll disagree with Wilson lining up in center a ton but whatever...got to understand our HC isn't having our QB line up under center ever. Watson's athletic ability and accurate arm (quick release) are perfect for chips offense. He's got a lot of similarities to Marcus Mariota as well

Faulk is mildly exciting. I'm skeptical, but maybe he proves me wrong. Seems like a Matt-Ryan-caliber prospect at best (and Matt Ryan sucks IMO).

Good lord, now you're talking s**t about Watson and his ability to translate to the NFL while hyping a Mike Leach QB?

Faulk kinda reminds me of Foles.

Originally posted by TheBlueHell:
Good lord, now you're talking s**t about Watson and his ability to translate to the NFL while hyping a Mike Leach QB?

People said the same thing about Jeff Tedford QBs unitl Aaron Rodgers shut that line of reasoning up. You can't necessarily dismiss a QB prospect because of his coach.