NFL Notes: Deshaun Watson, Draft, 49ers, Texans

Deshaun Watson

• Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com reports that NFL teams are split on Clemson QB Deshaun Watson and some believe he would be a “good late first- or early second-round pick, while others think he is a long-term project who should be a middle-round pick.“
• Jeremiah adds that the sources he spoke to still expect Watson to be selected much higher than they grade him, but believe it will be a mistake to take him that high.

Draft

• Daniel Jeremiah says he couldn’t find a scout or executive who was excited about either Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer or UNC QB Mitch Trubisky. Even so, Jeremiah expects at least one quarterback to pick up some steam as the draft draws closer.
•  According to Jeremiah, Temple LB Hasson Reddick generated the most buzz in personnel circles after putting together an outstanding week of a practice at the Senior Bowl. Jeremiah adds that Reddick could be in contention to be the No. 2 inside linebacker to come off the board.
• Bucky Brooks reports that two defensive backs — UConn’s Obi Melifonwu and Boston College’s John Johnson — earned rave reviews for their work at the Senior Bowl and could see their stock soar, depending on how things go in the coming months.

49ers

Soon-to-be 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said he has yet to examine the 2017 NFL Draft’s quarterback class.

“I’ve never paid attention to college football during the season,” Shanahan said, via Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. “Come March, you know everyone and you catch up to the rest of the world.”

Texans

Texans GM Rick Smith said the team must get “better production” out of their quarterbacks next season and they will continue to analyze their team.

“We’ve got to get better production from the quarterback position,” Smith said, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “We’ve got to get better production from all across our football team. We’ve got to do a good job of analyzing our football team, and that’s what we’re doing now, trying to figure out where we’re strong, where we’re weak and how we can go about improving.”

Regardless, Smith went on to say that he still has confidence in Osweiler going forward.

“Obviously, I have that confidence in him, and he’s got to have that confidence in him, and he’s got to go back to work,” Smith said. “In this league, part of playing that position is you’ve got to deal with the scrutiny and the stress.”