The Carolina Panthers could be set to select Desmond Waston in the 2025 NFL Draft as the front office at the Bank of America Stadium plans to bring the heaviest player in the history of the sport to their field.
The 464lb defensive tackle will eclipse the record holder, Aaron Gibson, by around 50lbs and will weigh 99lbs more than the Philadelphia Eagles‘ monstrous 6ft 8in Jordan Mailata.
Not just heavy, the 21-year-old also clocks a solid 5.93 in the 40-yard dash as well as performing a 25-inch vertical jump whilst also adding 36 reps on the 225lb bench press, showing strength too.
How can Watson rescue the Panthers?
He could be the key to turning around the fortunes for the Panthers; who had by far the worse defense in the NFL throughout the 2024/25 NFL season as they finished third in the NFC South.
The side boasted 5-12 record (.294) and conceded 534 points, working out at an average of 31.4 allowed per game, although they did manage to finish ahead of the New Orleans Saints.
Surrendering 179.8 yards per game, coming up against the Panthers was a dream for opposing wide receivers, quarterbacks and running backs but the presence of Watson would immediately flip the script.
A tank of a man who isn’t slow for his size, he could be practically unstoppable charging through offensive lines to make sacks and with a physically imposing 6ft 5in frame, there’s no guarantee a QB can depend on agility to escape.
He would form part of a new look defense for Dave Canales’ side, joining up with Bobby Brown, Tershawn Wharton and Tre’von Moehrig, as they bid to take the NFC South pennant away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With a new defense on hand, the Panthers will aim to slice down the number of points allowed per week and give a relatively tidy offense a platform to perform week in, week out, in their quest for a first NFL Playoffs appearance since 2017.
Read the full article here
