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Blake Watson NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Denver Broncos RB

BR NFL Scouting Department

HEIGHT: 5'9"

WEIGHT: 189

HAND: 8¾"

ARM: 29⅞"

WINGSPAN: 71⅞"

40-YARD DASH: 4.39

3-CONE: 7.13

SHUTTLE: 4.32

VERTICAL: 41.5"

BROAD: 11'3"

POSITIVES

— Serious home run speed. Type of runner who can easily breakaway when given a runway.

— Quick, agile mover. Plays with very good bounce and flexibility as an open-field runner.

— High-volume pass-catcher at two different schools. Smooth hands and dangerous YAC ability.

NEGATIVES

— Terribly light build. Will struggle to handle more than a dozen touches in an NFL setting.

— Poor strength and contact balance.

— Type of runner who wants to bounce runs way too often. Struggles to run with confidence and energy between the tackles.

2023 STATISTICS

— 13 G, 192 ATT, 1,152 YDS (6.0 AVG), 14 TD; 53 REC, 480 YDS (9.1 AVG), 3 TD

NOTES

— Born Oct. 14, 1999

— 2-star WR recruit in Old Dominion's 2018 class, per 247Sports

— Transferred from Old Dominion to Memphis in 2023

— Converted to RB after a redshirt year in 2018

— 35 career starts

— 2023 first-team All-AAC

— Attended 2024 Shrine Bowl

OVERALL

Blake Watson is a small former wide receiver who plays like that's exactly what he is, for better and for worse.

At 5'9" and 189 pounds, Watson is neither a workhorse runner nor someone who thrives between the tackles. He almost always looks to bounce plays when he can. Watson just doesn't have the bulk or balance to bang between the tackles, and he knows it.

When Watson does get out in space, he is dangerous. He's a twitchy, agile runner with quick feet and a great sense for when to kick into high gear as a runner. Watson's long speed is dangerous if he gets a good angle to the sideline. He is more than liable to take one to the house if given a runway.

Watson is also a useful pass-catcher. As a former receiver, he shows good hands and the dangerous ball-carrying skills you see from him as a runner.

Watson is a nice bottom-of-the-roster stash for teams looking to add some juice.

GRADE: 5.6 (Backup/Draftable — 6th/7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 225

POSITION RANK: RB17

PRO COMPARISON: Keaton Mitchell

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.

   

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