Why Joe Thomas believes 49ers are best spot for Watson

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Hold your breath, 49ers fans. Another prolific member in the NFL believes Deshaun Watson's best landing spot (if the star quarterback is traded) is indeed San Francisco.

Joe Thomas, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection who now works as an analyst for NFL Network, says the 49ers are the ideal team for Watson, should the Houston Texans grant his reported wish to be traded.

"He'd be a perfect fit in Kyle Shanahan's offense, which utilizes athletic quarterbacks who can throw on the move and dynamic playmakers who stretch the field from sideline to sideline," Thomas said. 

Watson's reportedly ever-growing discontent with the Texans reached a boiling point when Houston hired Nick Caserio as their new general manager. The team also hired David Culley as their new head coach this week, but that won't change Watson's mind. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday that Watson officially requested to be traded, meaning the 25-year-old's time in Houston is likely over. 

The 49ers have long been speculated as a possible landing point for Watson, but San Francisco obviously would have to give up a lot in order to land the three-time Pro Bowl pick. However, according to Thomas, a considerably low amount of free-agent quarterbacks are available this offseason, which could bode well to the 49ers.

"Generally, a quarterback of Watson's age (25) and talent would garner at least two first-round picks, but this year's free agency market offers an inordinate supply of good-to-very-good quarterbacks," Thomas said. "With a pool like this, I believe trade values will be lower than the historical trend."

RELATED: Why 49ers should go all in for Watson

Thomas also suggests the 49ers and Texans swap quarterbacks, with San Francisco providing at least an additional first-round pick. This would make sense for both organizations, as any team would benefit in landing Watson, while Jimmy Garoppolo would fit in well with a rebuilding Houston team. Plus, Caserio -- who previously served as the New England Patriots director of player personnel, obviously knows the former Patriots quarterback well. 

Plenty of roadblocks remain should the 49ers actually land Watson, with the biggest being where he prefers to play. Watson reportedly wants to play on the East Coast, with the New York Jets being his first option and the Miami Dolphins following. Secondly, San Francisco would clearly still have to pay a whopping price for Watson. A hefty trade package is likely worth it for a 25-year-old quarterback who is just beginning to approach his prime, but it remains unclear how much the 49ers are willing to depart with. Also, Caserio stressed in a press conference Thursday the organization has "zero interest" in trading Watson.

Still, plenty of offseason remains, and it's a safe bet the Watson speculation is far from over. 

Will the 49ers end up securing one of the league's best quarterbacks? Stay tuned. 

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