Desmond Watson Hurdle Doesn’t Sound To Large
May 22nd, 2025
Todd Bowles talks about his giant Gator, undrafted defensive tackle Desmond Watson.
First he was 464 pounds seven weeks ago at the Florida Gators pro day, and then weight started to come off and the smile came out with a new Buccaneers contract in hand.
Buccaneers rookie defensive tackle Desmond Watson has been with the team four weeks and it sounds like head coach Todd Bowles is intrigued.
Speaking today on WFLA-TV’s Rooted In Progress show, Bowles sounded like Watson doesn’t have a uniquely mammoth task to make the Tampa Bay roster.
“We saw the potential, because he can come off the ball,” Bowles said. “It’s just a matter of getting him in a little better shape and understanding and giving him a chance to compete once summer camp comes. He’s a bigger man than Vita [Vea]; we understand that. But he’s a good player. You know, he’s athletic for his size and everything else. He wants to be known as a football player and we want him to make the team as a football player.”
Some might think the elephant in the room for Watson is the reality of a 400-something pound man taking on Bucs training camp in the July swelter.
Not a concern, says Bowles.
He noted how Watson played high school ball in Tampa (Armwood) and was successful with the Gators. Bowles almost sounded like he’s more worried about non-Florida rookies than he is Watson, who he says is progressing. “Obviously, he’s in better shape,” Bowles said.
Joe was intrigued to hear Bowles’ tone when he said Watson “can come off the ball.” If his get-off is is true NFL caliber, then that almost makes Watson a high-level run stuffer before he ever takes a snap on Sundays.
It’s going to be fun to see future mattress-mover guards on NFL teams tangle with Watson in preseason games.
May 22nd, 2025 at 3:08 pm
It would be great if he works out. Can spell vita and then be long term replacement.
May 22nd, 2025 at 3:15 pm
Him next to Vita on the goal line is the answer to the Tush Push!!
May 22nd, 2025 at 3:19 pm
Any idea what his weight is now? Hopefully less than 437?
May 22nd, 2025 at 3:19 pm
Since we don’t have any other XXXL DTs other than Vea on the roster – it seems to me that Watson has a clearer path to making the team (or at least the practice squad) than most any other UDFA rookie….
Watson and UDFA Jake Majors – the Center form Texas both have a good chance of making the team in some capacity….
May 22nd, 2025 at 3:26 pm
What I really want is a camera over the scale like you watch trail cam footage.
Just set an alarm when it reaches 400lbs and then I’ll be intrigued.
I watched him play as a Gators fan and he DOES NOT have a quick Get Off.
I wouldn’t even call it a Get Off.
More like a Stand Up.
Get Off should really be reserved for something entirely different when he is concerned.
May 22nd, 2025 at 3:31 pm
Perhaps he can run in a TD like the Fridge did for the Bears in the SB.
Oh wait, never mind.
Bowles will never get to a SB as a HC.
Carry on.
May 22nd, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Not making the team. Fun story, but not happening
May 22nd, 2025 at 3:42 pm
I’ll believe it when I see it 🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱
May 22nd, 2025 at 3:50 pm
Gotta cheer for this beast. Would be so good for all concerned if he can make the team.
May 22nd, 2025 at 3:55 pm
Really, I wouldn’t count him out yet. A longshot, sure. Was under 6 seconds 40 yard dash at 464 pounds. That’s downright scary. He knocks off some more lbs. and has professional training we will get a better look at his heart. That’s the muscle that is gonna have to be the strongest.
May 22nd, 2025 at 3:55 pm
Line him up vs WR…it will take them 5 seconds to get around him…
May 22nd, 2025 at 4:01 pm
At least those training camp mattress moving guards will think they’re in hog heaven when they get back to moving mattresses!
May 22nd, 2025 at 4:04 pm
Two
To
Too
May 22nd, 2025 at 4:13 pm
I hate the fans on here it’s depressing no one here says anything good about our players undrafted or actual picks when I first started reading on this site it was cool but didn’t know if people are buccaneers fan or Brady /gronk fans but still was a lil better …..now it doesn’t matter it’s troll after troll for the HC GM PLAYERS ASSISTANT COACHES THE FIELD THE GAME doesn’t matter just don’t feel like a KREWE fan base love the articles but not to much the fans anymore it’s low key toxic
May 22nd, 2025 at 4:25 pm
Honestly, if he can get below 400, he has a good chance to make the team. If he gets below 380 he can return punts. lol.
May 22nd, 2025 at 4:47 pm
Keep him on practice squad until playoffs then use him against Philly.
May 22nd, 2025 at 5:09 pm
Imagine Reddick comes back to form and YaYa breaks out. Then put Vita Watson and Kancey in the middle. That would be an awesome front.
May 22nd, 2025 at 5:11 pm
Not trolling, The odds of an undrafted player (even a 7th rounder) making the team, especially on a playoff team that drafts as good as the bucs, is very little.
Add to that an out of shape DT trying to get into NFL condition, I would be surprised if he even makes the practice team
May 22nd, 2025 at 5:19 pm
Really Says:
May 22nd, 2025 at 5:11 pm
Not trolling, The odds of an undrafted player (even a 7th rounder) making the team, especially on a playoff team that drafts as good as the bucs, is very little.
___________________________________________________
Let me introduce you to my little friend: His name is Christian Idzien!
May 22nd, 2025 at 5:23 pm
Also:
Christian Izien (CB): Izien made the 53-man roster and played in the 2023 and 24 season.
Rakim Jarrett (WR): Jarrett also made the 53-man roster and saw playing time.
Derrek Pitts (CB): Pitts also made the 53-man roster.
Sean Tucker (RB): Tucker was also signed and made the 53-man roster.
Markees Watts (OLB): Watts was signed and also made the 53-man roster.
Kaevon Merriweather (S): Merriweather was signed and made the 53-man roster.
May 22nd, 2025 at 5:45 pm
You all got it backwards…have him GAIN weight! 700lb wall on goal line stops and conversely for Baker to sneak behind! If ur gonna be a niche player be a gigantic one!