*****The Armani Watts Thread*****

[Dante84]

More to come...

Overview
Watts is a four-year starter for the Aggies, living up to the four-star recruiting status that accompanied him to A&M (he had nine interceptions as a high school senior to earn first-team Class 4A All-State notice in Forney, Texas). He led the team with three interceptions as a true freshman free safety in 2014, recording 59 tackles, two for loss, and nine pass breakups. Watts put up 126 tackles in 13 starts in his second year on the team, six of them going for losses, and he intercepted one pass while breaking up two others. Watts' junior campaign was cut short by a leg injury, but he still made 56 tackles, six for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in nine starts. He earned third-team Associated Press All-American and second-team All-SEC honors in 2017, starting 12 games, posting 87 tackles, 10 for loss, four interceptions, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks.

Watts is a feast or famine player whose biggest faults are often self-inflicted and not due to a lack of talent or athletic ability. He's smooth and athletic and plays with the instincts and ball skills to flip the field on the next level. Watts' success as a professional will likely depend on work ethic and consistency as a tackler.

Strengths

• Very impressive athletic ability
• Loose and flexible through lower body with ability to swivel and swerve around the field
• Possesses above-average cover skills and soft hands
• Has feet and fluidity to line up in man
• Plays with instincts and timing
• Recognizes opportunities to undercut routes and make plays on the ball
• Has twitchy burst to break on throws
• Anticipates and triggers to make plays outside of his coverage area
• Good leaper with high-point ability
• Rangy
• Slick with ability to dart into crevices and find tackle angles near the line of scrimmage
• Has striking ability
• Able to blow up screen passes with downhill quickness

Weaknesses

• Lacking ideal size and build
• Has missed games on three different occasions
• Too many feast or famine plays
• Inconsistent and not always trust-worthy in run support
• Loses leverage in pursuit and overruns the play
• Picks and chooses when to square up and tackle with technique
• Will opt for ankle-diving too frequently
• Urgency in pursuit is lacking from the backside
• Inconsistency at finishing plays costs his defense at times
• Gets caught guessing on routes

[Kiimo]

I hope this tape pops. 5’10 4.6 40 and doesn’t tackle is not how I wanted this thread to start.

[Flying High D]

“Pre-Draft Analysis
Watts is an aggressive run defender who appears to have the range to cover a deep half, but he wasn't as effective in coverage in 2017 as in 2016, and his combine performance was underwhelming. He grades out as a No. 3 safety who contributes on special teams.”

We will kick ass on ST. Woo Hoo

[T-post Tom]

Hope his coverage skills translate to the NFL. They will be needed, especially in division games. Online video looks good. Nice 4th round pick.

[ct]

no 4th round pick announcement for chiefs? cut off for commercial break, of course.

[Frosty]

He sometimes tackles like Peters in that he goes for the strip rather than wrapping up.

[Easy 6]

4th rated safety in my draft guide, they gave him a late first/early second round grade... not too shabby

'Rangy playmaker'
'Fluid mover with ball skills'
'Slippery for blockers to handle in space'
'Explosive leaper allows him to play bigger than size indicates'

The negatives mostly focus on his habit of gambling, and lack of wrapping up in favor of going for the kill shot

Seems like there is a lot to like here...

[Danguardace]

Looks like Marcus Peters in Safety form

[RealSNR]

Sooo... his negatives are his speed and decision-making?

One of those can be coached.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by RealSNR

Sooo... his negatives are his speed and decision-making?

One of those can be coached.

He’s rangy and he plays fast.

I’m not worried about his speed.

[staylor26]

Terez A. Paylor
Twitter › TerezPaylor
This is good to hear: Willie Davis, the lead scout on S Armani Watts, said he took most of his gambles with help over the top. Risk-taker empowered by his scheme. Should alleviate any concern there.

[Priest31kc]

Sorenson's gotta be a June 1st cut now right? First O'Daniel and now Watts?

How much would cutting Sorenson get us in cap room?

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Priest31kc

Sorenson's gotta be a June 1st cut now right? First O'Daniel and now Watts?

How much would cutting Sorenson get us in cap room?

Bout tree fitty

[CoMoChief]

Awesome. Drafted him in the CP Mock draft and have been all about Watts for the last few months.

Hope the Chiefs would draft him. Would have also liked Kyzir White too.

Solid pick.

Still don't like the O'Daniel pick.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Awesome. Drafted him in the CP Mock draft and have been all about Watts for the last few months.

Hope the Chiefs would draft him. Would have also liked Kyzir White too.

Solid pick.

Kiss of death.

[Micjones]

One of my draft crushes.

GREAT instincts, good closing speed, willing tackler (though streaky), big, physical safety with fire and a passion for taking the ball away.

I absolutely love this pick.