Mississippi State linebacker put up big tackling numbers in college, but he will need to make his mark on special teams if he wants to stick in Cleveland.
The Cleveland Browns used the first of their two sixth-round draft picks on Saturday to select linebacker Nathaniel Watson from Mississippi State.
The 6-foot-2 and 233-pound Watson was the No. 206 overall selection and the second of Cleveland’s Day 3 picks, joining Louisville wide receiver Jamari Thrash, who was selected in the fifth round.
Scouting Reports
Here is a scouting report from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, who had Watson as his 17th-ranked linebacker on his board and a projected sixth-round pick:
A three-year starter at Mississippi State, Watson was the MIKE linebacker in former head coach Zach Arnett’s 3-3-5 base scheme. After finishing No. 2 in the SEC in tackles in 2022, Watson led the SEC with 137 tackles in 2023, and his 11.4 tackles per game ranked sixth-best in the FBS, earning him SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors from the Associated Press.
With his first-step burst and tracking skills, “Bookie” Watson was a tackling machine in college, including a 21-tackle performance vs. Southern Miss in 2023 (most by an SEC player in a game over the last five years). His versatility as a blitzer is a plus, although he can struggle opening up and making plays in coverage.
Overall, Watson’s average agility and erratic instincts lead to inconsistencies, but he has size, quick reaction speed, and tackling skills to fill up the stat sheet. He will need to shine on special teams to lock up a backup role for an NFL defense
How He Fits the Browns
Watson will likely want to get on the good side of special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone if he hopes to make an impact with the Browns as a rookie.
React Now
What do you think, Browns fans?
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