Big Board ranking: #57

Positional ranking: #8

 

Overview

Position: WR

College: North Dakota State

Class: Senior (RS)

Age: 22

 

Measurables

Height: 6’4 1/8”

Weight: 208 lbs.

Arm length: 32 1/2″

Hand size: 10 1/8”

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.36 sec.

Vertical jump: 38.5”

Broad jump: 136.0”

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Elite combination of size and speed. Top-tier athleticism. Very fluid for a bigger player. Dangerous vertical threat. Able to track the deep ball at a high level over his shoulder. Very effective stutter-and-go double move. Great acceleration. Excellent ability to high point the ball in single coverage on the outside. Strong hands along the boundary. Able to get his hands up late to make the catch. Impressive separation quickness on in-breaking routes. Big target for the quarterback on intermediate throws. Can get vertical from the slot. Used on end arounds and jet sweeps to get the ball in his hands. Has experience as a kick returner. Very good overall run blocker. Will sprint downfield to help make a block.

 

Weaknesses

Will hear footsteps over the middle and drop passes. Dropped too many passes with defenders close in general. Release can be slow and needs to be more efficient (too looping). Slower in and out of breaks underneath. Needs to leave himself more space along the boundary. Lacks shiftiness with the ball.

 

NFL comparison

D.J. Chark

 

Conclusion

Overall, Watson is a big, fast, and athletic wide receiver with high upside as a vertical threat on the outside. He will need to add some physicality to his game and prove he can contend with top cornerbacks, but Watson brings an exciting element to an NFL offense.