DeShaun Watson: The Time Is Now

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by jjchieffan

Interesting tidbit. I was perusing several mock drafts today and every one of them had Kansas City drafting at 30. So I guess they are all expecting us to beat Pittsburgh this weekend, but losing to NE in the AFCCG.

That's based on current seeding and record, nothing else.

32: 14-2 #1 seed
31: 13-3 #1 seed
30: 12-4 #2 seed
29: 11-5 #2 seed

[OldSchool]

Watson is similar to Mariota but not as consistent.

[St. Patty's Fire]

Does anyone actually think this guy will be available when we pick? QBs always get overvalued. Unless you expect us to move up (and moving up for a project QB probably isn't a good idea for a team that consistently gets value wherever they pick), then I don't see how he's a realistic target for us.

I mean, if he's there after the first round, sure, go for it. But I'd be shocked if he's even there by the late 20s.

[kcchiefsus]

The time is just about now to finally invest some capital in a QB. Whether that is Watson or not I don't know, but it's time to shit or get off the pot. These yearly 4th and 5th round picks at QB aren't cutting it.

[Hammock Parties]

The combine is going to determine where this kid goes. If he's >210 lbs and <4.6 he's going in the top 10. There's no way he's lasting past the 20th pick.

The Chiefs would have to sacrifice a LOT to move up and get him, and there are more talented, more NFL-ready QBs coming out in 2018.

I'm still on the Sam Darnold bandwagon. Better to wait a year, trade some picks now for 2018 picks, and get a better QB than sacrifice a lot more for a lesser QB.

[kcchiefsus]

The problem with waiting until 2018 is we're waiting until 2019 or 2020 until the guy is a legitimate player ready to take the reigns. Our roster is going to be getting pretty long in the tooth by then. We of course wouldn't have had this problem if we had jumped at the chance to take someone like Carr or Bridgewater in previous drafts. I'm not going to be surprised if we're left with our dicks in our hands like we were when Trent Green retired with nobody at all to take the reigns.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsus

The problem with waiting until 2018 is we're waiting until 2019 or 2020 until the guy is a legitimate player ready to take the reigns. Our roster is going to be getting pretty long in the tooth by then. We of course wouldn't have had this problem if we had jumped at the chance to take someone like Carr or Bridgewater in previous drafts. I'm not going to be surprised if we're left with our dicks in our hands like we were when Trent Green retired with nobody at all to take the reigns.

Watson won't be ready in 2018 anyway.

If you draft him this year, he's still a 2 year project. There will be guys drafted next season who are about even with him in the development curve. He'll have a better handle on an NFL offense but he still won't have re-built his technique to the point he'll need to in order to be a consistent NFL passer.

[Hammock Parties]

It's only one more year. It's absolutely worth it to get a better player, especially when this team is probably taking a G or ILB anyway in April.

And I would argue the QB they draft in 2018 will be ready to start right away, especially since they won't pay 34-year old Alex Smith $20 million.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Spider2YBanana

It's only one more year. It's absolutely worth it to get a better player, especially when this team is probably taking a G or ILB anyway in April.

And I would argue the QB they draft in 2018 will be ready to start right away, especially since they won't pay 34-year old Alex Smith $20 million.

You're smoking crack.

First, there is no way that Chiefs take a Guard in the first round when there will be far better athletes and players available, whether it's Cornerback, OLB, Safety, RB and quite possibly, a QB (Pat Mahomes).

Secondly, the Salary Cap will be in excess of $185 million in 2018, so paying a QB $20 million is peanuts.

[threebag]

I assure you Alex Smith will retire a CHIEF

[kcchiefsus]

Originally Posted by threebag02

I assure you Alex Smith will retire a CHIEF

Hopefully sooner than later.

[kccrow]

Would only approve flier if taken in round 2.

[Black Bob]

I really think we can get him at #27. He is gonna have to sit for a couple of years. His footwork on short passes is horrid. Never seen anything like it. That said, I really like him and think he can correct it. He's "clutch" and that's half the battle when it comes to NFL QBs. I bet 30-40% of the games come down to the last drive.

[Superbowltrashcan]

I apologize for my ignorance on this but I don't fully understand the heightened concern about footwork as it relates to a quarterback that throws an accurate ball with adequate velocity. Is it because poor footwork leads to greater replication of a bad effort? Does it mean a greater chance of injury is in player's future? I mean if it gets to the target quickly and accurately why does it matter if his footwork sucks? When I watch Rodgers he seems to have a number of times when he doesn't "look the part" from the classical 5 step drop back standpoint. Educate me and don't be an arse... Thank you!

[Black Bob]

Originally Posted by Superbowltrashcan

I apologize for my ignorance on this but I don't fully understand the heightened concern about footwork as it relates to a quarterback that throws an accurate ball with adequate velocity. Is it because poor footwork leads to greater replication of a bad effort? Does it mean a greater chance of injury is in player's future? I mean if it gets to the target quickly and accurately why does it matter if his footwork sucks? When I watch Rodgers he seems to have a number of times when he doesn't "look the part" from the classical 5 step drop back standpoint. Educate me and don't be an arse... Thank you!

No problem. It is important for four reasons:

1. Accuracy- You gotta get your body balanced to throw an accurate pass. Throwing mechanics are built around the core of the body. It's the same in baseball and it all starts with the feet. If you don't have balance in your legs, you won't have balance in your core and you won't be at peak accuracy. The biggest difference between college and pro football is the speed and coverage of corner backs. If you aren't accurate, you can't play in the NFL. Check out Tom Brady. He has the greatest footwork of all time.

2. Throwing Power - If you are throwing off your back foot you are losing power and accuracy. Watson tends to do this on a lot of short routes. He basically takes one step back and throws as hard as he can off his back foot when he does this. His fundamentals are really raw in this area. When he does it, it reminds me of a shortstop back handing a hard grounder in the hole and desperately trying to get the runner at first. The difference is that Desean doesn't need to rush it and shouldn't be desperate. He's not even making a read when he does this and he has more time than he thinks. In the NFL he will get burned for relying on arm strength on short passes like that.

3. Pocket Awareness - This is another big difference between college and the pros. Footwork in the pocket is imparitive to protecting the ball. It is the first fundamental in this area. If you have poor footwork, you are more likely to fumble. In the NFL, the pass rush is coming much faster than in college. Again, good footwork and a good core are everything. If you have balance when you are creamed on your blindside, you are far more likely to hold onto the ball. See Blake Bortles if you want to see a QB with bad footwork.

4. Timing - Again, the cornerbacks are the biggest difference between college and the pros. Three, four, and five step drops help the QB time the routes and allow the play to set up. They also slow the pass rush and create more time in the pocket. Watson hasn't done much of this as he plays in a spread / read option type offense. You can't make it in the pros without being able to take snaps from under center and understand the footwork fundamentals.

This is a pretty basic summary and I hope this helps.