Originally Posted by :
Watson was an all-region receiver and also played cornerback at Lucy C. Laney High School in Augusta, Georgia, before moving across the country to play at Ventura College in California. He was a two-time junior college All-American cornerback there, signing with USC for 2019 but not enrolling in school. Watson went to Pullman instead for the 2020 season, earning honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors that fall (13 tackles, two pass breakups in three starts) as well as in 2021, when he posted 31 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups and ranked second in the FBS with four fumble recoveries in 12 starts. He opted out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. -- by Chad Reuter
Originally Posted by : Overview-- by Lance Zierlein
Watson is big and strong. He can be a physical presence when he's playing with patience from press coverage. With just two years of experience at the FBS level, he's predictably raw with his fundamentals, but the lack of agility and short-area quickness should be more than just short-term concerns. Currently, he's unable to stay in phase with quality route runners but does have physical traits that might warrant a practice squad stint for defenses reliant upon Cover 2 and/or Cover 3 schemes. Strengths
-Good size, strength and length.
-Fought through adversity to find an FBS home.
-Developmental traits for zone-heavy units.
-Displayed improved fundamentals in 2021.
-Very physical in bullying the release from press.
-Strong punch drives through wideout's shoulders.
-Overwhelms catch point on contested catches.
-Willing hitter with plus strength in run support. Weaknesses
-Impatient and often overextends in matching release in press.
-Lacks foot agility and quickness for man coverage.
-Footwork through transitions is sloppy and slow.
-Gets routed out of position fairly easily.
-Looked overmatched against USC wideouts.
-Doesn't trust his eyes just yet.
-Takes poor angles and lacks a credible burst to close on throws.
-Doesn't find the football in downfield route phase.
Originally Posted by xztop123:
We used to do just fine with late round low investment cb
It’s one reason we were able to have such a powerful offense. We didn’t spend heavy on defensive backs.
And for good reason. The nfl doesn’t allow a lot of room for them to flourish. They basically dictate (the refs) the entire game in terms of what they’re alllwed to do.
I get what you're saying. But cincy was an eye opener. And with the rush on WRs this year it's safe to say we can't have more Jamar chase games. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mecca:
Watson is a prime PS candidate. He'd 24 he's played less than a thousand snaps because academics.
Yup.
I don't think anyone's gonna bend over backwards to add an overaged 7th round rookie to their active roster. And he seems pumped about being with the Chiefs so he'd probably elect to sign with our PS over others.
I'd be shocked if he doesn't end up on the practice squad. There's just too many guys with more talent/experience ahead of him. He'd have to elbow past Baker AND Johnson. And hell, that's presuming we don't bring in another veteran. And he'd have to hold off the other CBs in the system who were here last year. [Reply]
This kid had to go back home when he was academically ineligible and work with his Mom who managed a Wendy’s. Dude was flipping burgers and mopping floors for year and said he (obviously) hated every minute of it.
Glad he made it back and got drafted. These are the types of hungry kids that you want to succeed. [Reply]
