Overview
Position: Free Safety
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 205 pounds
School: Texas A&M Aggies
Combine Performance Data
Bench press: 13 reps
Vertical jump: 35 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet
Three-cone drill: 7.25 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.37 seconds
Armani Watts 2018 NFL Draft Profile
Armani Watts was a starting safety every season that he played for Texas A&M. The former four-star recruit out of North Forney High School quickly became a fixture on the Aggies defense in his freshman season with the team. He earned a starting role in fall camp and had an outstanding freshman campaign, racking up 59 tackles, three interceptions, two tackles for loss, and nine passes broken up in seven starts. As his college career progressed, Watts made his case for an NFL career, leading the team in tackles during his sophomore year, recording 12 tackles against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in his junior season, and collecting a host of awards and honors to finish out his senior campaign.
Watts proved himself to be an invaluable asset to the Aggie defense alongside last year’s first overall pick Myles Garrett but has not displayed the talent to get him drafted nearly as high as his former teammate.
Strengths
- Shows natural athleticism;
- Displays lower body flexibility and ability to swivel hips in space;
- Plays loose and flexible;
- Demonstrates good timing on pass defense;
- Flashes instinct to undercut routes and make plays on the ball;
- Has shown he can get up and high-point the ball;
- Hits hard and fast in space;
- Shows downhill quickness to blow up screen passes.
Weaknesses
- Lacks height for a professional defensive back;
- Missed four games with a leg injury in 2016;
- Does not play with consistent hustle or determination;
- Fails to finish the play too frequently;
- Demonstrates poor tackling technique and too often opts for ankle tackles;
- Gets fooled by initial moves by pass-catchers;
- Displays average upper body strength;
- Lacks high-level foot speed.
NFL Comparison: Reggie Nelson
Teams with Need at Position: Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos
Projection: Third round or later, no later than fifth round
Bottom Line
There are plenty of defensive backs coming up in this draft that can run faster, jump higher, tackle better, and display better quickness. The fact that Watts opted not to run the 40-yard dash at the 2018 NFL Combine did not do him any favors in terms of improving his draft stock. The stock phrase “feast or famine” that NFL experts love to use with inconsistent players has been tossed around often when discussing Watts. His tackling technique will make him a project player and not an immediate NFL starter in 2018.
Watts will need solid coaching and a veteran mentor in the NFL. He won’t be drafted by a team looking for an immediate starter at free safety, but a team looking for depth and potential developmental talent for the future will consider him.
The New England Patriots have a solid coaching staff with Steve Belichick and Josh Boyer coaching the safeties and cornerbacks for the 2018 season and former safeties coach Brian Flores helming the defense without the coordinator title. Watts would be learning from Devin McCourty, two-time Pro Bowler, and three-time All-Pro safety. This could potentially be an atmosphere in which Watts develops and serves as support for a team that boasted one of the worst secondaries in the league last year. The Patriots have a late fourth-round pick they could use on Watts.
In the AFC, the Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, and Pittsburgh Steelers could be looking to add depth in their secondary and have the late-round picks to give Watts a chance. In the NFC, the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings have the resources and infrastructure necessary for Watts’ development.
