Question about Watkins

[the_h0wey]

Okay so I keep hearing everyone talk about how Pat Watkins was such a steal in the draft, and how he will potentially be the starter at FS by mid-season. And I must admit anyone that is 6-5, 222 lbs, has a 41 inch verticle, and runs a 4.47 forty certainly intrigues me. I was also very upset during the draft when we passed on picking him in the 3rd and 4th round. I don't think anyone could have predicted a player with his physical skills would possibly fall into our laps in the 5th. My question is why exactly did Watkins fall this far in the draft? Maybe it is just me but something seems strange about that...

 

[Eddie]

Okay so I keep hearing everyone talk about how Pat Watkins was such a steal in the draft, and how he will potentially be the starter at FS by mid-season. And I must admit anyone that is 6-5, 222 lbs, has a 41 inch verticle, and runs a 4.47 forty certainly intrigues me. I was also very upset during the draft when we passed on picking him in the 3rd and 4th round. I don't think anyone could have predicted a player with his physical skills would possibly fall into our laps in the 5th. My question is why exactly did Watkins fall this far in the draft? Maybe it is just me but something seems strange about that...

FS's are a dime a dozen, and most teams don't spend high draft picks on one.

We got him where he deserved to be chosen.

It's like taking a FB high in the draft ... you don't do it. Pro Bowl FB's and FS's are easily found in the 6th round and below.

 

[Bluefin]

My question is why exactly did Watkins fall this far in the draft?

1. It was reported that several teams expressed concern over Pat Watkins' ability to play free safety in the nFL due to his height.

2. It was reported that several teams projected Watkins as a better fit at wide receiver in the NFL due to his height/speed combination.

Both factors seemed to play a role in Watkins' spiraling to the second day of the draft, IMO.

 

[BlueStar II]

I have read where there are question marks about his pass coverage, and his having less than ideal flexibility in his hips, in terms of his being able to pivot, shift, and change directions quickly/effectively, etc.. It sounds as though other teams may have been reluctant to take him due to that. While I, too, would be very happy to see him show that he "does" have pass coverage ability, and that he is fluid enough to change direction quickly/effectively...he'll have to show it on the field before he'll get much playing time on a regular basis though.

 

[Qwickdraw]

He tackles like a girl.

 

[cobra]

He tackles like a girl.

Are you sure?

This guy might not agree:

 

[BulletBob]

He tackles like a girl.

That's funny right there!

 

[Doomsday101]

FS's are a dime a dozen, and most teams don't spend high draft picks on one.

We got him where he deserved to be chosen.

It's like taking a FB high in the draft ... you don't do it. Pro Bowl FB's and FS's are easily found in the 6th round and below.

Dime a dozen. Not another dime a dozen BS. Teams will draft player they feel will be great regardless of what position which is why guys like Roy Williams, Ed Reed, Micheal Huff and a few others have been drafted as high as they were. This ideal that some position don't mean much is a load of BS

 

[Woods]

Dime a dozen. Not another dime a dozen BS. Teams will draft player they feel will be great regardless of what position which is why guys like Roy Williams, Ed Reed, Micheal Huff and a few others have been drafted as high as they were. This ideal that some position don't mean much is a load of BS

Not to mention, Whitaker (sp?) and Allen went high this year.

 

[Doomsday101]

Not to mention, Whitaker (sp?) and Allen went high this year.

More and more teams are looking at top safeties. But the key is not just the position it is the player playing the position. If teams feel you have great talent then they will go after you high in the draft regardless. I admit I get a kick out of some of the comments about the different position and how some think some of the position don't take much talent to play it.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

For starters, Watkins is a FS. Safeties usually fall come draft day, especially if they can really only play one safety spot.

The knock on Watkins is that he's meant for zone coverage. You usually want a very good tackler if you're playing zone and Watkins just doesn't blow people away in that respect.

I'm not saying this because of a Cowboys bias, but I've watched Watkins for 4 years and I think his man-to-man coverage and tackling skills are better than the scouts think. He's not exactly Ronnie Lott in those regards, but he's very serviceable while being outstanding in zone coverage.

Rich..........

 

[sago1]

Some so-called expets believe his height limits his ability to turn hips quickly, etc; others say that's BS and believe Watkins was a big steal for us in the 5th. He was projected by most of the mock drafts to go in the 3rd round.

BTW: The Cowboy scout who followed him in college was on the Ticket Sunday during the draft and he was excited we got Watkins, thinks he will be an outstanding FS but also said Wakins was an "elite" ST; he can play several positions on ST, particularly as the gunner. He's also got good enough speed/hands to be a WR in the red Zone. But he is very skinny and think weighed 212 at Cowboys camp. Should be interesting to see how much weight/muscle Cowboys want him to put on. He's got a chip on his shoulder because of being drafted so late and wants to prove he deserved going earlier; he's also smart &, hard working. It was reported he very unhappy having to return to college after end of minicamp cause he wanted to stay to get started working with the team and learning his FS position/defensive scheme with the Cowboys. He's a coverage centerfielder which is just exactly what we needed to go with Roy Williams.

 

[Funxva]

Pssshh. Tackling can be coached.

 

[Qwickdraw]

Pssshh. Tackling can be coached.

maybe...
but courage can't.

 

[Funxva]

maybe...
but courage can't.

Indeed! Are you saying he lacks courage?

 

[Qwickdraw]

Indeed! Are you saying he lacks courage?

He looks timid making tackles.
I don't know... just responding to the question with what Ive seen and read.

 

[Funxva]

I haven't seen him play at all besides highlight reels, so I can't comment. I was actually curious if he actually looked cowardly. Interesting to see if RW or KD try to inject some "This is how it's done here, boy." Into Watkins.

 

[31smackdown]

I've seen him attack ballcarriers head on, so I think he is a willing tackler. in other words he doesn't try to side tackle people to protect his body. Now.. because of his height he does take a little more time to get into tackling position and get good leverage.. which at his weight, he really needs.

He also seems to be best suited as a centerfielder type of safety and not as effective in the box, although I don't know if he played there very much at FSU.. he always seemed to be the deep zone man. He seems to be much better going forward than he is going backward and has good range, great leaping ability and long arms which work to his advantage in pass coverage.

Like most taller players he is going to need to work on his technique, bending his knees and playing low.

 

[burmafrd]

clearly man to man will not be his strength. Zone and especially playing center fielder will be his strengths. I feel pretty safe in saying that with him deep we will not have santana moss or anyone getting free rides to the endzone.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

1. It was reported that several teams expressed concern over Pat Watkins' ability to play free safety in the nFL due to his height.

2. It was reported that several teams projected Watkins as a better fit at wide receiver in the NFL due to his height/speed combination.

Both factors seemed to play a role in Watkins' spiraling to the second day of the draft, IMO.

Not to mention, it was reported he is skinny as a rail......needs to bulk up some.