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San Francisco 49ers ‘monitoring’ Deshaun Watson trade ahead of NFL Draft

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The San Francisco 49ers are mere hours away from making a franchise-altering decision with the third pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. At least, that’s been the common sense belief since they traded away to future first-round picks and a 2022 third rounder to move up from 12 to three.

In truly stunning fashion, there’s now a chance that San Francisco doesn’t end up making that pick after all. Recent reports indicate that the 49ers put in a call about a trade for disgruntled Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. One report since conclude that San Francisco offered up the third pick and more assets for the reigning NFL MVP. Conflicting reports suggest that no trade offer was made.

Now, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the 49ers are also closely monitoring the Deshaun Watson situation with the Houston Texans ahead of the draft.

San Francisco was among the favorites to land Watson prior to over 20 women accusing him of sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct in civil cases. Obviously, things have died down regarding a potential trade with the Houston Police Department conducting a criminal investigation and the NFL doing its own investigation under the guise of the league’s personal conduct policy.

Right now, it would be hard for any team to justify trading for Watson ahead of the NFL Draft later on Thursday unless something unforeseeable breaks relating to his legal situation.

Read More: San Francisco 49ers mock draft: QB or tight end? What the Niners will do

What are the San Francisco 49ers doing?

Deshaun Watson, San Francisco 49ers
Dec 21, 2019; Tampa, Florida, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) walks in the tunnel prior to the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Reported interest in both Rodgers and Watson represents a stunning backdrop to what promises to be a drama-filled evening in Cleveland for the 49ers.

Ever since pulling off the blockbuster trade for the No. 3 pick, reports have linked San Francisco to quarterbacks Mac Jones, Trey Lance and Justin Fields in the NFL Draft. Obviously, general manager John Lynch and Co. would rather have a proven signal caller to lead the way a mere 15 months or so after the 49ers earned a surprising trip to the Super Bowl.

All the while, rumors suggest that the San Francisco 49ers are looking to trade Jimmy Garoppolo during the draft. It remains to be seen if that has to do with his unhappiness relating to the team trading up to the third pick for an eventual heir-apparent.

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