Inside The Star
In the 2025 NFL Draft, defensive tackle Desmond Watson is a prospect to watch.
This young man is the ultimate run-stopping defensive tackle, which is exactly what this defense has been missing for several years.
The defense currently has a great pass-rushing tackle in Osa Odighizuwa and a solid veteran in Solomon Thomas, but Thomas is getting older and should see limited snaps.
That leaves the defensive front with one glaring need: stopping the run. Mazi Smith could have a breakout year in year three, but some insurance would be nice.
One thing that pops out with Desmond Watson on tape is that he rarely gets moved backward.
Desmond Watson is a big fat run stopper who simply CAN’T BE MOVED.
6’6, 464lbs(‼️) with an 83” wingspan and a 5.95 40 yard dash.
I have a hard time believing nobody takes a chance on him on day 3. The ultimate gap plugger with highlight potential. pic.twitter.com/aap9ypI2al
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 15, 2025
He stops opposing blockers in their tracks and, in most cases, works them into the backfield.
His overwhelming size and strength create pressure in the backfield against the run, and he collapses the pocket with sheer force.
Watson could be the premier run-stopping defensive tackle in this class, but he is being overlooked due to his massive size and conditioning concerns.
Conditioning concerns aside, this young man is a run-stopping monster at the nose tackle position.
According to PFF.com’s premium statistics, Watson has graded out in run defense with a 72.5 over four years at Florida. Last year and in 2022, he graded out with 80.4 and 80.9, respectively.
Desmond Watson started his collegiate career weighing in at 385 lbs, but that ballooned to 464 lbs.
He stands 6’6″tall, but that is still too much weight to carry to be a significant threat in the NFL.
He has come to terms with this problem and sees his weight issues as an addiction to snack foods and other unhealthy foods.
Even at this size, Desmond Watson is a great athlete.
He had a vertical leap of 25 inches, outperforming some defensive tackles in this draft class who weigh much less.
25” vertical for 464-pound Florida DT Desmond Watson. pic.twitter.com/SMyjX2SBtc
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) March 27, 2025
In the bench press, he completed 36 repetitions at 225 pounds, which is three more reps than any of the 300-plus participants at the NFL Combine workouts.
These numbers stand out for a player his size, but he has said the issue is not stopping while driving and getting snacks.
He shared this with Fox Sports:
“Stopping while driving,” Watson said when asked about bad habits he’s tried to shed. “My biggest thing is keep going, get to where I need to get. There are stores and a lot of temptations. That’s helped me immensely:...
