Bucs take a closer look at local draft prospect that could help them become the ultimate kryptonite to the 'tush push'
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting an up-close look at someone who could be a big help for them – literally and figuratively. The Bucs are meeting with Florida Gators DL Desmond Watson on Thursday, per his Instagram account. Watson is truly one of one in this draft – or pretty much another other one. […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting an up-close look at someone who could be a big help for them – literally and figuratively.
The Bucs are meeting with Florida Gators DL Desmond Watson on Thursday, per his Instagram account.
Watson is truly one of one in this draft – or pretty much another other one. At 464 pounds, he's one of the heaviest players in the sport's history and would be the heaviest player ever drafted if he hears his name called. Naturally, that makes him a very interesting prospect for the purposes of lining up in short yardage and preventing a push up the middle. That has obvious advantages in stopping the Philadelphia Eagles "tush push" play and other inside short yardage plays by teams.
However, it's not just the sheer size and mass that makes him an interesting prospect. He put on a show at Florida's Pro Day with 36 reps of 225 bench, showcasing the strength to go with that frame. His 40-yard dash was poor -5.93 seconds – but he moves a lot better on the field than one would expect with that 40 time. He also got involved in a limited fashion on offense for Florida, taking a handoff and bowling forward for a first down in the Gators' 33-8 win against Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl in December.
Watson projects by many experts as a Day Three pick, and a late one at that. But at the end of the draft, you're looking for players with unique traits who could provide useful in at least some circumstances, whether as a returner, situational player, etc. Watson certainly could have situational usefulness as short yardage stalwart not just with the Bucs, but on any roster.
He'll need to shed some weight – he's risen from 415 pounds his sophomore year – but there's little doubt that he and Vita Vea lined up next to each other would be a pair of basically immovable objects.
It appears the Bucs might agree with that.
A simple stat shows why Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Jason Licht has been the best in the NFL Draft over the last decade
The Bucs’ GM has been as good as anyone in the league
