It seems like an eternity ago, but there was a time when people were worried that Deshaun Watson might not be a successful NFL quarterback because of a lack of arm strength.
No, it’s true.
At the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine, Watson’s ball velocity numbers sparked plenty of debate, and concern about his pro prospects:
Ball velocity numbers (MPH) from the Combine:
60 – Mahomes
59 – Webb
56 – Kizer
55 – Trubisky, Evans
53 – Peterman, Kaaya
49 – Watson— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 10, 2017
If #Bears take Deshaun Watson, they'll have 2 QBs with sub-50 MPH ball velocity. Watson threw 45, Mike Glennon 49. https://t.co/Pn4mkcO5ar
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) April 23, 2017
Watson's 49 mph velocity is bad. See just how important this measure of arm talent was in @RotoDoc 'a model.https://t.co/lY1jFtdlFW
— Josh Hermsmeyer (@friscojosh) March 11, 2017
After an incredible career at Clemson, leading the Tigers to their first national title in three decades, Watson’s evaluation for the pros seemed to be taking a hit from the fact that his fastball was more Greg Maddux than Nolan Ryan.
Well, Maddux did all right for himself.
So has Watson, who showed off his Superman skill set in Saturday night’s overtime Wild Card win over the Buffalo Bills, leading the Texans back from a 16-0 deficit to win 22-16.
As talented and battle-tested, both against top competition and in clutch situations, as I’ve ever seen a quarterback prospect be, Watson proved himself once again on football’s biggest stage. He continues to look like a massive steal for Houston, the team that traded up to land him at No. 12 overall in the 2017 NFL draft.
I’m betting there are a few teams who would love the chance to do the top of that draft over again, radar gun be darned.
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