Tag: blake watson

Broncos roster series: No. 43, RB Blake Watson

After totaling 1,632 yards from scrimmage and scoring 17 touchdowns last fall, Memphis RB Blake Watson signed with the Broncos as a UDFA.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie running back Blake Watson, No. 43.

During the offseason, teammates can share jersey numbers if they play on opposite sides of the ball. This summer, Watson will share No. 43 with defensive back Keidron Smith.

Before the Broncos: Watson (5-9, 195 pounds) started his college career at Old Dominion, rushing for 2,146 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final three seasons (33 games) with the Monarchs. Watson then transferred to Memphis for a fifth year of college and rushed 192 times for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding 53 receptions for 480 yards and three more scores. Watson earned first-team All-AAC recognition following the 2023 season.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed Watson as a coveted undrafted free agent this spring. He joined a running back depth chart that already included Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime and Tyler Badie.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Long shot. With so many running backs ahead of him on the depth chart, Watson is likely competing for a spot on the practice squad this summer. Barring injuries at the position, Watson seems unlikely to end up on the active roster in Week 1.

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Broncos enter the summer with a crowded running back depth chart

The Broncos will make some tough decisions at running back this summer, especially if they only carry three RBs on the active roster.

The Denver Broncos have a crowded running back depth chart going into the summer.

Now healthy again, Javonte Williams is entering his fourth year and looking to bounce back in a contract year. Samaje Perine is also returning as the team’s top receiving and blocking back, and Jaleel McLaughlin returned after impressing as an undrafted rookie last fall.

Tyler Badie is also back after spending last season on the practice squad and the Broncos added two more RBs this spring. Denver first used a fifth-round pick to draft Notre Dame’s Audric Estimé in April, then the team signed Memphis product Blake Watson as an undrafted free agent.

“All these guys, they’re all competing for different roles, spots, roster,” coach Sean Payton said on May 11. “But there are two guys who are under contract right now that we added. I think that we never put a cap on what they’re competing for.

“I want to see it, and then we’ll go by what we see. That was the case with Jaleel a year ago. He sat here as an undrafted free agent that was going through the workouts, and then pretty soon you began to see it. So who knows what we’re going to get? … we’ll see where it goes.”

Denver will have some tough decisions to make at running back this summer, especially if the team only carries three RBs on the active roster. Williams and McLaughlin seem to be locks and Perine is the team’s best third-down option, but the team could save $3 million if Perine is cut.

If the Broncos end up bringing back all three RBs from last year, they’d have to carry a fourth RB on the active roster or hope they could slide Estimé down to the practice squad. Watson is a dark horse candidate to watch as well, but he seems likely to be a practice squad candidate as a rookie.

While fans and pundits focus on the quarterback competition, Denver will also have an intriguing competition at running back this summer.

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Broncos’ running back room ranked 4th-worst in the NFL

PFF ranked the Broncos’ running back room ranked fourth-worst in the NFL. Is that a fair ranking?

Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus recently ranked all 32 backfields in the NFL, and the Denver Broncos are ranked 29th (fourth-worst in the league). The Broncos do not have a household name in their running back room with Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine their go-to ball carriers. 

Without a star in the room, the Broncos’ running back group will have to retake the committee approach to getting their offense up to speed. But PFF has little to no optimism for the group.

“Undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin was the bright spot of the Broncos’ rushing attack last season, posting an 84.5 PFF rushing grade on 76 carries,” Sikkema wrote on PFF’s website. “The big disappointment was Javonte Williams, who earned just a 64.4 rushing grade after recovering from a major knee injury in 2022. Perhaps Williams just needed a year to get his confidence back, because he was a highly touted running back in the 2022 NFL draft.”

Will Williams, fully recovered from his 2022 injury, get ready to lead the Denver running back group to a productive ground attack in 2024? Or will McLaughlin play a more significant role? The Broncos also added Audric Estimé and Blake Watson to the roster this spring. We’ll see if the group can outperform PFF’s low ranking this fall.

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Check out these highlights of new Broncos RB Blake Watson

New Broncos RB Blake Watson rushed for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Do you think he will make the 53-man roster?

The Denver Broncos signed former Memphis Tigers running back Blake Watson as an undrafted free agent earlier this month. Watson is an experienced football player, playing four years at Old Dominion (2020 was a redshirt due to COVID, and the team canceled the season) before finishing his super redshirt season at Memphis.

In his last season, he rushed for 1,152 yards on 192 carries with 14 touchdowns. He also proved to be a threat on the receiving end, tallying 53 catches, 485 yards and three touchdowns.

In today’s NFL, Watson could be an ideal double-threat running back for the Broncos if he can reach that plateau.

However, Watson could face an uphill battle to make the team. Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine are currently running backs one and two, and Jaleel McLaughlin did a great job spelling the two. So if Watson doesn’t make the team, his experience can pay dividends on the practice squad or maybe an active roster spot down the road.

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Broncos Wire podcast: QB competition, trades and UDFA sleepers

On the latest Broncos Wire podcast, Ryan O’Leary and Jon Heath discuss Bo Nix and the QB battle, trades, sleeper UDFAs and the new uniforms!

What a whirlwind of an offseason it’s been for the Denver Broncos!

One week after the 2024 NFL draft, I joined host Ryan O’Leary on the Broncos Wire podcast to discuss Denver’s quarterback situation, recent (and upcoming?) trades, sleeper UDFAs, the new uniforms and much more.

You can listen to episode No. 109 below:

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
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Check out our notes from this week’s podcast below. 

Broncos draft QB Bo Nix 
  • Denver used the 12th overall pick in the first round to select Oregon quarterback Bo Nix. Good move?
Broncos trade for QB Zach Wilson 
  • Denver sent a 6th-round pick to the Jets in exchange for a 7th-round pick and QB Zach Wilson. Broncos and New York will split his salary (about $2.72 million each).
  • It’s a lottery ticket for Denver. Wilson probably isn’t going to become a great QB, but it’s a low-risk move and you never know. Worth a shot.
  • Broncos now have Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson at QB. Quite a summer competition. Will they carry 3 QBs? If not, who gets cut?
Broncos trade for DE John Franklin-Myers
  • Denver sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Jets for DE John Franklin-Myers. After paying Haason Reddick, New York couldn’t afford to keep Franklin-Myers, so the Broncos got a huge discount.
  • He had 50-straight starts for the Jets, totaling 14.5 sacks. I think of him as Denver’s new Dre’Mont Jones.
  • Broncos now have an excellent front-three rotation of Zach Allen, Franklin Myers, D.J. Jones and Malcolm Roach.
Broncos aren’t trading Courtland Sutton (right now) 
  • The WR room is very crowded, so we’ll see if a trade might happen later.
  • WRs: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Tim Patric, Josh Reynold, Troy Franklin, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Jalen Virgil, Brandon Johnson, Devaughn Vele
Other notable draft picks 
  • Round 3: OLB Jonah Elliss, Utah (12 sacks last year; Dad played for DEN)
  • Round 4: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon (steal, Nix’s favorite WR; 14 TDs in ’23)
  • Round 5: CB Kris Abram-Draine, Missouri (good depth, versatile)
  • Round 5: RB Audric Estimé, Notre Dame (4.71, but bruiser, vision, smart) (es-ta-may)
2 notable undrafted free agent signings 
  • RB Blake Watson, Memphis (UDFA RB1)
  • OT Frank Crum, Wyoming (UDFA OT1)
  • RBs: Williams, Samaje, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estimé, Blake Watson
Broncos got new uniforms 

What’s next? 

  • Rookie minicamp in May, then OTAs
  • NFL schedule coming May 9?
  • Mandatory minicamp in mid-June
  • Training camp begins in late July
  • Preseason and roster cuts in August
Ryan and I will return with new episodes as news pops up this summer.
If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!

You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.

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Broncos’ UDFA contracts give hints about odds to make 53-man roster

Based on their contracts, Omar Brown, Blake Watson and Frank Crum appear to be Broncos’ early favorites to make the 53-man roster as UDFAs.

Following the 2024 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos have started filling out their 90-man offseason roster by signing undrafted free agents.

The guaranteed salaries for these UDFAs can give insights into which players were most coveted by the Broncos (and other teams).

We don’t yet know the contract details for wide receiver BJ West or tight end Dylan Leonard, but the 11 deals have been reported. Three players — defensive back Omar Brown, running back Blake Watson and offensive tackle Frank Crum — received $250,000 in guarantees, seemingly making them the early favorites to make the 53-man roster as UDFAs.

Four other players received guarantees north of $100,000. Four others were under $48,000. Here are the totals that have been reported so far:

We are tracking all of Denver’s UDFA signings on Broncos Wire.

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49ers could be eyeing next great late-round running back

This is an interesting RB prospect for the #49ers.

The 49ers don’t need to change their running back room to remain competitive in the 2024 season. However, bolstering the position would make sense in this year’s draft both for short-term depth and potential long-term starting options for the post-Christian McCaffrey era.

It’s clear San Francisco won’t need to pick a RB early. In fact, there may be a fan revolt if they do given their lack of success with RBs selected before the sixth round under head coach Kyle Shanahan. One late-round prospect who could make sense for them is Memphis’ Blake Watson, who had a virtual meeting with San Francisco according to the Draft Network’s Justin Melo.

Watson, 24, measured in at 5-9, 200 pounds at his Pro Day after not being invited to the NFL combine. He also clocked a 4.40 40-yard dash, which is a really good number given how hard-nosed he runs. His speed doesn’t pop on tape, but he runs well through contact and doesn’t often get knocked backwards thanks to a compact frame.

It took Watson awhile to get going in college. He redshirted his first year at Old Dominion, then had a relatively unproductive second year before the pandemic ended his 2020 season before it could start. In 2021 he broke out for ODU with 1,112 yards and 8 touchdowns on 215 carries. The following year he backed it up with 916 yards and five touchdowns on 158 attempts.

The 2022 season was particularly intriguing though because he caught 33 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns. That pass-catching element stuck with him last year after he transferred to Memphis. With the Tigers he posted 192 carries, a career-best 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground, while also tacking on 53 receptions for 480 yards and three scores through the air.

Without the pass-catching, Watson probably isn’t a prospect the 49ers are looking very closely at. However, if he can prove to be a reliable NFL pass catcher it could make him extremely valuable as a late-round pick.

There are plenty of question marks about whether Watson’s athleticism can hold up in the NFL. His late breakout at a small school like Old Dominion is also a pretty significant cause for concern.

The 49ers have done a nice job identifying talented backs late on Day 3 or as undrafted free agents. If they like Watson enough to make him a sixth or seventh-round choice, it’s easy to see how he could carve out a role in their offense.

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Explosive Memphis RB Blake Watson visits Browns ahead of 2024 NFL draft

Will the Browns add another running back in the draft?

It wasn’t surprising that the Cleveland Browns reworked running back Nick Chubb’s contract to lower his cap hit and keep him in Northeast Ohio. However, this has not stopped them from bringing in the explosive Memphis running back Blake Watson for a top-30 visit in preparation for the 2024 NFL draft.

The team also added Nyheim Hines and D’Onta Foreman to the room, containing Jerome Ford, who was the lead back a season ago. The team still needs some long-term answers at the position, and Andrew Berry could look to add one via the draft.

Watson does a great job of exploding through rushing lanes with a great burst and overall speed. He, however, has great vision and is a patient runner, allowing things to play out in front of him and letting his blockers set up.

The versatility to make an impact as a pass catcher, especially in the screen game, is a major plus. He is smaller but could be a good developmental player on day three of the draft.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 45, Memphis RB Blake Watson

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Memphis running back Blake Watson.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers most assuredly will draft a running back or two in the 2024 NFL Draft. Recently signed Josh Jacobs will be the lead dog, while AJ Dillon, who re-signed with the Packers on a one-year deal may have to fight for his roster spot depending on how the rest of the offseason plays out at the position. 

A running back that Brian Gutekunst could target on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft is Blake Watson. The Memphis running back checks in at No. 45 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

Watson, a transfer from Old Dominion finished his lone season as a Tiger with 1,152 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Watson also reeled in 53 receptions for 480 yards and three touchdowns. 

“He always looked comfortable at Memphis catching passes out of the backfield,” Jonah Dylan, the Memphis beat writer for the Commercial Appeal, said. “He can run between the tackles and on the outside. He can line up in different places.” 

The first thing that stands out about Watson is his ability to impact the game as a receiving threat out of the backfield. A former high school wide receiver, Watson redshirted his first season at Old Dominion before moving to running back during the 2019 campaign. He set the Old Dominion program record for receptions in a season by a running back (37) in 2022. 

He’s able to pluck the ball away and instantly turn upfield to press the action. Watson makes sharp cuts as a route runner and his background as as receiver is evident. According to Pro Football Focus, Watson created 557 yards after the catch this past season. 

The former high school wide receiver has reliable hands. Watson was targeted 105 times over the past two seasons and was charged with just four drops. 

“His ability as a receiver was a key selling point at Memphis, even though he also rushed for 1,000 yards,” Dylan said. “It wasn’t just catching passes out of the flat or as a checkdown – because he has that history playing wideout, he’s able to run routes at an elite level for a running back.”

Watson’s burst in short areas stands out. He has quick feet and can hit instant acceleration to put stress on defenses. Watson is able to make lateral cuts without slowing down. He has the vision to find the crease and weave through traffic. 

“Memphis had good offensive line play in 2023, so Watson had holes to run through more often than not,” Dylan said. “But he was also good at finding those holes and pushing through contact near the line of scrimmage. His teammates would tell you he’s one of the smartest players on the field and in the locker room. That manifests itself in his game.”

According to PFF, Watson racked up 719 yards after contact and forced 50 missed tackles. He’s shifty when he gets out in space and can string together moves to leave defenders grasping at straws. 

“He’s got solid elusiveness in tight spaces and good at running through tackles at the point of attack,” Dylan said. “There were multiple runs throughout the season where he took a handoff in the backfield, jumped to the outside and then jetted down the sideline.”

Watson brings special teams value as a kick returner. During the 2019 season, Watson averaged 26.4 yards per kick return at Old Dominion. 

Fit with the Packers

Jacobs and Dillon provide the Packers with a formidable running back duo for Jordan Love. Adding a player like Watson would give the Packers a running back who’s a dynamic receiving threat out of the backfield. That element would add another dimension to Green Bay’s young offense. 

“He’s someone who could help an NFL team, especially when you’re talking about the back end of the draft,” Dylan said. “His versatility will give coaches options, even if he’s not the strongest or the fastest running back out there. He’s also got plenty of experience through his time at Old Dominion and Memphis, but – as his team will point out – he doesn’t have as much tread on the proverbial tires as you’d expect because he played receiver in high school and didn’t get tackled as much as a running back would.”

Watson is a versatile weapon and brings special teams value as a kick returner. He’d be the ultimate change of pace back who could impact the game through the air, between the tackles and on special teams.

Full 7-round 2024 NFL mock draft: Patriots fill every need on roster

The Patriots come away with an offensive haul, while also strengthening areas on the defense in this latest 2024 NFL mock draft

The New England Patriots are in a position where they can’t lean solely on free agency to fill all of the needs on their roster. There are major holes at key positions that must be addressed in the 2024 NFL draft.

Bill Belichick might be the greatest coach of all time, but his negligence on the offensive side of the ball as a general manager got the Patriots in this mess in the first place. Now, it’ll be up to director of scouting/de facto general manager Eliot Wolf and coach Jerod Mayo to fix it.

The Patriots have clear needs at quarterback, wide receiver and offensive tackle. But they also have other areas to fill on the roster as well, including on the defensive side of the ball.

This mock draft is focused on building the roster in one setting with the objective of filling out the greatest areas of need. Here’s how the board fell in our latest 2024 NFL mock draft: