Desmond Watson is poised to possibly be the heaviest player ever drafted in the NFL.
But the 6’6″, 450-pound-plus Florida Gators defensive lineman is not some oddity or freak show, he’s a legitimate prospect who’s drawing attention from scouts and draft analysts.
Desmond Watson is a Unicorn According to Billy Napier
Florida head coach Billy Napier was very complimentary of Watson during Florida’s Pro Day. “He’s a unicorn. He’s extremely intelligent. He has a good sense of humor,” he said.
Billy Napier on Desmond Watson:
“He’s a unicorn. He’s extremely intelligent. He has a good sense of humor.” pic.twitter.com/En9oyEzrKy
— Isaac Edelman (@IsaacEdelman)
Watson has always been known for being a big body, but he really shined at Florida’s Pro Day on March 27. He weighed in at 464 pounds, 15 more pounds than his listed weight at Florida, and still ran a 5.86 40-yard dash. On top of that, he set a Florida Pro Day record with 36 reps on the bench press. That would have broken the record at the NFL combine by three.
He would not be the first man over 400 pounds to end the league. Nate Newton, the long time Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman regularly played at an All Pro level tipping the scales at close to 400 pounds. Aaron Gibson was the 27th overall pick by the Detroit Lions in the 1999 NFL Draft. He spent six years with four teams in the league.
The closest comparison for Watson may be former New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. Like Wilfork, Watson is a big body, that not only clog the middle, but push smaller lineman around. Even the Eagles, the team with the heaviest O-line at an average of 338 pounds, would be dwarfed by someone of Watson’s size.
Admittedly, Watson’s skills will need work, including his technique. He’ll also need to maintain high levels of conditioning and nutrition, but as he showed on Night Cap with Chad Ochocinco, he’s got a realistic sense of humor about the subject.
However, some folks, like Warren Sharpe, point out that a player like Watson could negate the Tush Push without outlawing it.
the Super Bowl champs have the tush push
you’re telling me a 464 pound tugboat to clog the middle isn’t an appropriate response?
Desmond “Tush Push Terminator” Watson:
6’6, 464 pounds pic.twitter.com/OpGKwBT961
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball)
Regardless, whichever team decides to take a chance on Watson could find themselves molding a hulk of a man that could potentially anchor a defensive line.
