DT Gabe Watson

[BigChiefFan]

Position: Defensive Tackle
School: Michigan

Status: Senior

Height: 6-4

Weight: 335

40-Yard Dash: 5.10(est)


Positives:
When most people look at defensive lineman, they look for sacks. Watson isn't that kind of player. He is a run stopper. At 6'4 and 335 pounds, he is a whale of a man who stuffs the interior of the line. His big body is hard to get around and creates big problems for smaller guards and centers.Sponsored Links

Watson constantly attracts double teams, which helps the players around him. He's one of the strongest tackles in the country. A 3-year (soon to be 4-year) letter winner at Michigan. Played against big-time competition and great offensive lines in the Big Ten (Iowa and OSU). Won't cause problems off the field.

Negatives:
Watson is not very fast or agile. He won't get up field quickly, and recorded just 1.5 sacks in his career. He has started only 11 games at Michigan prior to the '05 season even though he wasn't redshirted. Needs some polish and to make better reads on plays. As of right now he more of a two gap tackle. Could be a one gap if he sheds a few pounds.

Overview:
With more teams switching to a 3-4 defense I could really see him going top ten in April. A team like the Browns could really use him in their defense. He is stronger than Rodrique Wright but not as agile. Watson is most comparable to Casey Hampton.


Most have Watson ranked lower than this guy does in his overview. He could definitely be there when we pick, IMO. He's the type of DT we could use. Thoughts?

[htismaqe]

Watson is a huge risk in the 1st round, IMO.

I watched him play 6 or 7 times and he's alot like McGlockton.

On one play, he'll look like the best DT to ever play the game. And then he just disappears for 3 or 4 plays.

He's got some major questions when it comes to attitude and work ethic.

By the way, I'm gonna move this to the draft forum shortly.

[MOhillbilly]

Being agile is a must at DT. you gotta be able to move in traffic from sideline to sideline if your a bigman run stopper.

[Hoover]

So if he is like McGlockton he would kick ass, then we trade him for a high draft pick, then he sucks ass for them, gets cut, then plays well and leads a team to the SB?

[BigChiefFan]

I didn't know there was a draft forum. Cool.

I think Watson could become a damn good player. He's the type of DT we have been desperately searching for. He's in the mold of Casey Hampton.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

I didn't know there was a draft forum. Cool.

Yeah, some people suggested it would be nice to have an organized forum of info on prospects, etc.

Taco says the draft forum at the Mane is one of the most popular they have.

It's been a success so far.

[MOhillbilly]

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

I didn't know there was a draft forum. Cool.

I think Watson could become a damn good player. He's the type of DT we have been desperately searching for. He's in the mold of Casey Hampton.

but we need guys who can start now like DJ,not one who could become a good player.

[BigChiefFan]

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

but we need guys who can start now like DJ,not one who could become a good player.

He WOULD DEFINITELY start from day one. Here's a nice profile...

Gabriel Watson | DT | Michigan Year: Senior
Home Town: Novi, MI
High School: Southfield

Height: 6'4
Weight: 333
40 yard Dash: 5.15 (est) Profile Added: 8/12/05
Profile Updated: 12/28/05
Biography
Also a wrestler and basketball player in high school, Watson burst onto the scene just before his senior season with a big performance at Michigan's NIKE camp. Watson stayed in state and committed to the Wolverines despite being courted by many top programs including Nebraska and Ohio State. Watson stepped in as a freshman and did not redshirt, but played sparingly. He saw more time as a sophomore, but still didn't make a big impact until his junior season when he became the starter and earned 1st team All-Big 10 honors. As a senior, he had his starting spot taken away early in the season, but re-earned it later in the year and still made 1st team All Big 10 for the second year in a row.

Analysis
STRENGTHS: Size, Power, Pursuit Speed
WEAKNESSES: Consistency, Pad level
NFL COMPARISON: Albert Haynesworth, Titans
Like Haynesworth, Watson is a big, strong tackle with good straight line speed for a big man. However, both players are players who coaches constantly have to try to motivate to play at their highest potential.
SCOUTING REPORT: The biggest area where Watson must improve his getting his pad level down. When he does this consistently (like the Rose Bowl vs. Texas for instance) he almost always ends up in the opposing backfield. He has such great strength and power, and is surprisingly quick off the ball for a man his size, that if he wins the leverage battle, there is almost no stopping him. But too often, he is firing out too high and thus, allows one blocker to handle him. Watson could be a player that commands a double team on every play, but this hasn't always been the case. He could do a better job of using his hands to shed blockers. He will occsionally resort to trying to spin off blocks, and will take himself out of some plays. When the play is away from him, Watson shows surprising pursuit ability. He has good straight line speed and will hustle down field and to the flanks to get to ball carriers. Watson is a high character player, but keeping his motivation up and making sure he plays to his ability level will be key for his NFL team.
Against Top
Competition
2005

2004

2003 Skills Grades
Measureables
Intangibles
Vs the Pass
Vs the Run
Pursuit
Read/Recognition
Collegiate Production
Upside
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
| 3-4=poor | 5-6 = average | 7 = fair | 8 = good | 9 = excellent | 10 = elite |

Overall
Watson has played both in a 4-3 and a 3-4. He has good potential as a NT in a 3-4, as he was at his most productive when Michigan featured him as a nose man. Ability wise, he has the size, strength and athleticism of a top 10 prospect. However, his up and down play will drop him. Watson grades out as a 2nd/3rd Round pick, but could go in the 1st Round based on his upside potential.
Projected Selection: late 1st-late 2nd Round

[MOhillbilly]

i wouldnt take him in the first if i were GM/HC but im not.

but he could be the best Undertackle in the draft after looking over the other choices.

That Texas OT is who id shoot for in the 1st.
JMO

[Chiefnj]

I'd much rather draft a high motor guy.

Way too risky to spend a 20 pick on a guy who takes plays off.
In the Ohio State game Mangold (who has a had a great week of practice) handled Watson one-on-one.

Big contract plus questionable work ethic = lazy player.

[htismaqe]

Watson is NOT a guaranteed starter. There's a reason a 335-lb. monster with tons of ability is grading down as far as the 3rd round.

He's got Junior Siavii's head.

The only DT that would really fit where we pick in the 1st is Wright. I would only take Watson if we could take him in the 2nd.

[Tribal Warfare]

Like others, I believe Watson isn't worth a 1st unless KC trade into the second round. As of now at the #20 spot I don't see S.Holmes getting past the Eagles, and McNeill might have secured a top 10 pick status. The players I see worthy at #20 are Jon Scott or Broderick Bunkley(<-- looked badass in Senior Bowl practices.)

[htismaqe]

Bunkley has apparently bulked up since the season as well. He's been listed around 280 for a long time, but supposedly weighed in at the Bowl around 300.

He's got a lot of promise.

[Chiefnj]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Bunkley has apparently bulked up since the season as well. He's been listed around 280 for a long time, but supposedly weighed in at the Bowl around 300.

He's got a lot of promise.

What was his injury? I wonder if it is related to too much weight too quickly on a frame that can't support it.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj

What was his injury? I wonder if it is related to too much weight too quickly on a frame that can't support it.

Haven't seen anymore about it. Thinking it might have just been a ding...