The NFL has seen its fair share of massive athletes, but Florida Gators defensive tackle Desmond Watson may be on the verge of making history as the heaviest player ever drafted. Despite not receiving an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine, Watson turned heads at Florida’s pro day this week, showcasing his raw power and unique physique.
The 6-foot-6 lineman put up an impressive 36 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, recorded a 25-inch vertical jump, and clocked in a 5.93-second 40-yard dash. But the number that truly stole the spotlight? His weight-an astonishing 464 pounds.
To put that into perspective, the heaviest players ever drafted in NFL history are offensive linemen Trent Brown (2015) and Daniel Faalele (2022), who each tipped the scales at 380 pounds. Watson surpasses them by over 80 pounds, making him a potential record-breaker if selected in this year’s draft.
Will Watson be an asset or a liability?
Watson’s size has sparked both intrigue and concern among NFL scouts. While his sheer mass and power make him a nightmare for opposing offensive lines, questions remain about his conditioning and long-term durability at such a staggering weight.
Florida head coach Billy Napier, however, believes Watson’s weight is more of a genetic gift than a red flag.
“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.”
Weight is not the only number that matters
Napier emphasized that Watson’s 6-foot-6 frame naturally lends itself to a larger build and noted that his improved play last season should not be overlooked. Across 51 career games for the Gators, Watson recorded 63 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
While Watson may not have been high on draft boards initially, his record-breaking size and raw strength could intrigue teams looking for a high-upside project on the defensive line. Whether an NFL franchise takes a flyer on him remains to be seen, but one thing is certain-Watson’s name is now firmly in the conversation as the draft approaches.
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