We’ve seen some pretty massive players in the NFL before, many of whom are specifically remembered for their size. But one player could make history as the heaviest player to hear his name called at the NFL Draft podium.
Though he wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Florida Gators defensive tackle Desmond Watson turned some heads at the Florida pro day this week. Watson won few accolades at Florida but appeared in 51 games and finished his career with 63 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks along with a forced fumble.
At his pro day, he showed off some incredible strength with 36 reps of a 225 pounds on the bench press. He had a 25-inch vertical jump and ran the 40-yard dash is 5.93 seconds.
Yet the most interesting stat by far is the one Watson showed on the scale. He weighed in at 464 pounds at the pro day, a a mark that (aside from being dangerously unhealthy) would also allow him to make history at the NFL Draft.
According to the Associated Press, the heaviest players ever drafted are offensive linemen Trent Brown (2015) and Daniel Faalele (2022), who weighed in at 380 pounds.
At 464 pounds, Watson outweighs the both of them by over 80 pounds
James Gilbert/Getty Images
For what it’s worth, his head coach Billy Napier spoke glowingly about him, and believes that the weight is partially a by-product of his natural size.
“He’s had numerous nutritionists, numerous position coaches, numerous strength coaches, and I think this past year we probably executed the best we have,” Napier said, via APNews.com. “And I thought he played his best football of his career. In general, I think he’s learned a lot about habit-building, self-discipline.
“Ultimately, the guy’s frame score would indicate that he’s going to be a huge — that number’s always going to be pretty big. He’s 6-foot-6 and just the density, the bone structure. It’s just a big man.”
As it stands, Watson has gone from an afterthought in the entire draft to a prospect that teams might try to take a flyer on.
Do you think Watson will be drafted?
Related: 2022 Draft Pick Becomes The Heaviest Player In The NFL
