Tag: Carlos Watkins

Carlos Watkins is a low-cost, much-needed FA re-signing for Cowboys

Watkins has quietly been a big part of the Cowboys defensive rotation the past two seasons, @ReidDHanson sees the kind of glue piece Dallas will need again.

Underrated is a sticky classification to bestow upon a player. Something underrated to one person could be overrated to another. By nature the argument is subjective, leading to many spirited debates not even confined to sports.

Calling a member of the Dallas Cowboys underrated promises outrage in one direction or the other. Often applied to players with big names and in big positions, underrated has lost some of its meaning as of late. Carlos Watkins, a rotational player deep down the roster, might just be the most truly underrated player in Dallas’ free agent class.

Watkins came to the NFL as a fourth-round pick out of Clemson. After four seasons with Houston, he joined the Cowboys in 2021. Seemingly everyone’s favorite player to cut in annual training camp roster prognostications, Watkins found a way to stick around in Dallas.

Over the past two seasons he’s played in 27 games along the defensive line. He’s shown the ability to play inside, outside and even in a two-point stance on the edge. The 29-year-old lineman has been a do-it-all player for Dan Quinn and an important front-four rotation piece on game days.

With only five career sacks and 132 combined tackles, Watkins isn’t lighting up the stat sheet. Pro Football Focus graded his 2022 as spectacularly average, but such is the nature of a blue-collar lineman.

Watkins is often tasked with occupying blockers and freeing up opportunities for others to make plays. At 6-foot-3, 305 pounds, he’s not the immoveable object the 340-pound Johnathan Hankins is next to him, just like he’s far from the backfield-crashing presence the 265-pound DeMarcus Lawrence is.

All three are listed as 6-foot-3, but that’s where the similarities end.

Watkins is a high-motor player who complements those around him. He can two-gap and he can be trusted in his run fits. He has the girth to stand up against the run but the lateral movement to pursue down the line.

When scanning the list of pending Cowboys free agents, names like Leighton Vander Esch, Tony Pollard, Dalton Schultz and Donovan Wilson all jump out. Even Hankins has pulled a fair amount of press for his play in 2022. But all of those players are big names that are likely pull down good money this off-season.

Watkins is a player who’s played six years and earned just $5,757,148 million in his career. At under $1 million/season, Watkins has a pretty good case for being the most underrated player in Dallas’ free agent class.

Ideally, the Cowboys bring back a handful of their pending free agents in 2023. While the big names will drive the headlines, it’s the blue collar workers like Watkins who will keep things humming. Playing a modest amount of snaps, for a modest sum of money, serving a variety of different roles, Watkins was an extremely useful player for Dallas in 2022.

With any luck, the Cowboys can keep him around on another affordable deal in 2023.

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What They Are Saying: Tigers in the NFL, Week 8

As usual, there was no shortage of buzz about former Clemson standouts during Week 8 of the NFL season. Check out what they are saying on Twitter about some former Tigers in the league: Seems solid. @swaggy_t1 #DENvsJAX pic.twitter.com/h7VY153LU7 – …

As usual, there was no shortage of buzz about former Clemson standouts during Week 8 of the NFL season.

Check out what they are saying on Twitter about some former Tigers in the league:

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Former Tigers joining NFL practice squads

A bunch of former Clemson football players are joining NFL practice squads after being released Tuesday. Wide receiver Deon Cain is back with the Philadelphia Eagles on their practice squad after being waived by the Eagles, while cornerback Mario …

A bunch of former Clemson football players are joining NFL practice squads after being released Tuesday.

Wide receiver Deon Cain is back with the Philadelphia Eagles on their practice squad after being waived by the Eagles, while cornerback Mario Goodrich is also signing to the Eagles’ practice squad after being waived by the Eagles as well.

Safety Nolan Turner, who was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is back with Tampa Bay on the Bucs’ practice squad.

Defensive tackle Carlos Watkins, who was released by the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, is back with the Cowboys on their practice squad.

Additionally, wide receiver Cornell Powell is back with the Kansas City Chiefs on their practice squad after being released by the Chiefs, while Tanner Muse was waived by the Seattle Seahawks but has been signed to the team’s practice squad.

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

Cowboys cut Carlos Watkins as odd man out in DT room

The Cowboys released the lone member of the DT room not drafted by Dallas. | From @CDBurnett7

Over the past couple seasons, the Cowboys have built up a young but talented defensive tackle room. Albeit without a star in the middle, they’ve put a multitude of draft picks into improvement at the position. The group is led by Neville Gallimore and Osa Odighizuwa, with the backup spots up for grabs between three players. Trysten Hill, Quinton Bohanna and Carlos Watkins were all competing to maintain their role in Dallas.

Watkins was the only member of the group not drafted by the team and his first season as a Cowboy in 2021 was a consistent one, racking up 32 total tackles and five tackles for loss. Both were a career-high for Watkins after an underwhelming first four years in the NFL. Unfortunately for him it wasn’t enough to bring him back to Dallas as he was one of the releases to get the roster down to 53.

Watkins’ sixth season won’t be as a Cowboy as the team cuts down to a main four playmakers with Ridgeway as the wild card for 2022.

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6 Cowboys who could be shocking cuts before the 2022 regular season

Sometimes it’s about who’s better. But sometimes there are other factors at play when it comes to the initial 53-man roster. @KDDrummondNFL looks at a few names that would raise an eyebrow if let go.

The Dallas Cowboys may not be as deep as they have been in years past, but that doesn’t mean they will have an easier time when it comes to putting together their 53-man roster. There are still decisions to make for Stephen Jones, Will McClay and head coach Mike McCarthy that include talent, but go beyond who the best player is right now (or in three weeks).

In addition to who offers the best performance, the team will be looking to ensure they don’t say goodbye to potential they want to continue harnessing. Beyond that there is the injury factor for guys the club may look to bring back during the season, and the rules to which those maneuvers can happen. Mixed all together and there could be some interesting decisions made come August 30. Here’s a look at six players who could be on the outside looking in at the initial 53-man roster.

Former Clemson D-lineman gets new deal with NFL team

A former Clemson defensive lineman is staying with “America’s Team” for another season. The Dallas Cowboys announced this week that they’ve agreed to terms on a one-year deal with veteran defensive tackle Carlos Watkins. The former Tiger proved to …

A former Clemson defensive lineman is staying with “America’s Team” for another season.

The Dallas Cowboys announced this week that they’ve agreed to terms on a one-year deal with veteran defensive tackle Carlos Watkins.

The former Tiger proved to be a solid pickup for the Cowboys after they signed him to a one-year deal ahead of the 2021 season, during which he made 14 starts and finished with 32 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack and had a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints.

Originally drafted by the Houston Texans in the fourth round (142nd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, Watkins spent the first four years of his NFL career (2017-20) in Houston, recording a total of 74 tackles and four sacks.

During his Clemson career (2012-16), the two-time first-team All-ACC selection had 191 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 14 sacks in 1,666 snaps over 53 games (30 starts). He had 24 career games with at least one tackle for loss, and Clemson was 22-2 in those games.

Former Clemson safety Jayron Kearse also re-signed with the Cowboys this week.

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

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2022 Free agency: Cowboys bolster front, bringing back DT Carlos ‘Thicc-6’ Watkins

The Cowboys are bringing back Carlos Watkins on another one-year deal, keeping the depth on the defensive line in Dan Quinn’s system. | From @CDBurnett7

Since Dan Quinn took over as defensive coordinator in Dallas, the philosophy on the defensive line has changed in more than the scheme. Quinn constantly rotates players on the defensive line to keep fresh legs on the field at all times.

One of those rotational players in 2021 was defensive tackle Carlos Watkins, who started in 14 games for the Cowboys and had a career-high 32 tackles on the year. The former Texans fourth-rounder is coming back to Dallas on a consecutive one-year deal.

Watkins also had his first career interception on a pick-six to bury the Saints on the road. The Clemson standout returned a Taysom Hill pass 29 yards for the first touchdown of his career.

Returning to the Cowboys for 2022, Watkins keeps the continuity of a defensive tackle room that includes Neville Gallimore, Trysten Hill and Osa Odighizuwa. While the others have a larger impact in pass rush, Watkins is an early-down player that Quinn will continue to use as a run stuffer.

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Year by year sack leaders during Brent Venables tenure with the Clemson Tigers

Getting ready for the Brent Venables era, which players led the Clemson Tigers in sacks during his tenure as the defensive coordinator.

It’s a new era for the Oklahoma Sooners, and the biggest change comes on the defensive side of the ball. Brent Venables and a new defensive staff look to take the Oklahoma Sooners back into the top 10 of the national rankings.

One position group that will benefit greatly from the transition to Venables and his group of coaches is the defensive line. During Venables’ time as the defensive coordinator for the Clemson Tigers, their sack leader had double-digit sacks four times. Only once did a Clemson Tiger have fewer than eight sacks.

For comparison, in 2021, Nik Bonitto and Isaiah Thomas each had seven sacks. Back in 2015 for the Clemson Tigers, Kevin Dodd and Shaq Lawson had 12.5 sacks a piece.

Jalen Redmond, Reggie Grimes, Marcus Stripling, Ethan Downs and other defensive linemen will benefit greatly from the hiring of Venables and the additions of Todd Bates and Miguel Chavis.

To look forward and create expectations

‘It’s every fat guy’s dream’: Christmas comes early for former Clemson DL

Christmas came early for a former Clemson defensive lineman this week. Late in the fourth quarter of the primetime “Thursday Night Football” NFL game, Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Carlos Watkins intercepted New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom …

Christmas came early for a former Clemson defensive lineman this week.

Late in the fourth quarter of the primetime “Thursday Night Football” NFL game, Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Carlos Watkins intercepted New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown in the Cowboys’ 27-17 victory at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

“It was a weird play,” Watkins told reporters after the game. “They kind of got to the ball early, we kind of went set. Me and Chauncey (Cowboys defensive end Chauncey Golston) had a game going, and I just happened to come around and the ball came right to me. Early Christmas present.”

According to Next Gen Stats, Watkins reached a max speed of 17.26 miles per hour (the second-fastest speed of his career) en route to the end zone during his pick-six – or probably more appropriately called a “thick-six” for the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Watkins.

“It was definitely an early Christmas present. It’s every fat guy’s dream, man,” he said. “You get a pick and then make it to the end zone – it’s every guy’s dream.”

While it was Watkins’ first interception return for a touchdown in the NFL, it wasn’t his first career pick-six – in 2015, as a redshirt junior at Clemson, Watkins provided a highlight of Clemson’s 41-10 win over Appalachian State when he returned his first career interception for a touchdown.

“It’s been a minute,” said Watkins, a fifth-year pro who spent each of the last four seasons with the Houston Texans. “Back like junior year in college, redshirt junior year in college, against App State, I got one. It was like 15 yards. It felt good.”

The worst part of Thursday’s pick-six against the Saints?

Watkins joked it was the celebration afterward when he was swarmed by excited teammates, showing him love in a not-so-gentle way – something he will be better prepared for the next time he finds the end zone.

“That’s like the worst part, though, the celebration,” Watkins said. “Because you can’t breathe, everybody’s grabbing your head. Bash (Cowboys defensive end Tarell Basham) tackled me after the play. But now I see why Tre (Cowboys cornerback (Trevon Diggs), he runs away from everybody. So, I’m going to take that note, and next time I’m running away from everybody.”

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What They Are Saying: Former Clemson D-lineman has pick-six in primetime NFL game

Former Clemson defensive lineman Carlos Watkins provided one of the highlights of the night for the Dallas Cowboys in Thursday night’s NFL game. Late in the fourth quarter, Watkins scored a big-man touchdown when he intercepted Saints quarterback …

Former Clemson defensive lineman Carlos Watkins provided one of the highlights of the night for the Dallas Cowboys in Thursday night’s NFL game.

Late in the fourth quarter, Watkins scored a big-man touchdown when he intercepted Saints quarterback Taysom Hill and returned it 29 yards to the house to put the finishing touches on what ended up being a 27-17 victory for the Cowboys at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Check out what they are saying about Watkins’ pick-six in the primetime NFL game:

Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images

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