Blake Watson RB Memphis | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Blake Watson RB Memphis
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/27/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.39 seconds (93%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back | |
| Last Updated: 04/27/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.39 seconds (93%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |
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| Overall Rating: | 79.3 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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73% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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79% |
| Break Tackles: |
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79% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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73% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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41% |
| Run Blocking: |
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57% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#199
Position rank:
#16
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| College Games: 45 College Snaps: 1859 | ||
247 RATING: 75/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.3 (87%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mohamed Ibrahim - Minnesota |
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70% |
| Jaylen Warren - Oklahoma State |
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70% |
| Evan Hull - Northwestern |
|
69% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Blake Watson, a dynamic player from Memphis, originally began his college football career as a wide receiver at Old Dominion before making the transition to running back. Born and raised in Queens, New York, before relocating to North Carolina, Watson was initially recruited as a two-star wide receiver.
Watson's college statistics reflect his successful adaptation to running back, logging 3,296 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on 590 carries, alongside 928 receiving yards from 113 receptions. His best year in 2023 at Memphis included 1,152 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, earning him First-Team All-AAC honors. His other accolades include multiple All-Conference USA Honorable Mentions and an All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- An instinctive runner, Watson has a knack for setting up defenders and making people miss in space. He’s at his best in space and on the perimeter, where he shows the balance and acceleration, plus pure speed, to make a move and then take off.
- Watson is an electrifying player, one of college football’s best playmakers in space
- Watson finishes runs well and flashes the ability to get small and squeeze through traffic.
- He’s a natural pass catcher, at his best pulling in swing passes and heading upfield. He’s a natural in the screen game as well. His hands are good enough that he can line up in the slot.
- Outstanding open-field runner with the ability to make defenders miss and extend plays.
- Former WR so he is a natural effective pass-catcher with smooth hands, adding value in screenplays and YAC.
- Shows good patience and timing in waiting for blocks to develop.
- Notable for his kick-return capabilities, adding versatility to special teams.
- Maintains strong ball security with a minimal history of fumbles over extensive handling.
- Can absorb contact well despite his size, often bouncing off tackles to gain extra yards.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks ideal size and bulk for a traditional NFL running back, affecting his between-the-tackles running.
- Occasionally overly reliant on bouncing outside, reducing effectiveness in tight games.
- Has shown some inconsistency in pass protection, crucial for third-down effectiveness.
- While competitive, his lack of overpowering strength may hinder durability against larger defenders.
- Has a lean frame and lacks ideal bulk or muscle for the position. Doesn't have great strength, lacking a power element to his game to break many tackles.
Scouting Report: Summary
Blake Watson has carved a niche as a multi-faceted offensive threat, capable of impacting the game on the ground and through the air. His transition from wide receiver to running back has allowed him to leverage his receiving skills to become a dangerous backfield weapon. Despite concerns about his size and power inside the tackles, Watson's agility and vision make him a viable candidate for specialized roles, particularly in space-oriented offenses.
Projected as a late-round pick, Watson’s ability to contribute immediately on special teams and as a pass-catching back could see him climb draft boards. Teams seeking a versatile player who can offer explosive playmaking from various alignments will find his skill set appealing.
Ultimately, while Watson may not be an every-down back, his skill in maximizing opportunities in space and his proven track record as a receiver out of the backfield should allow him to carve out a significant role in the right NFL scheme.
Blake Watson percentiles vs other Running Backs (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Blake Watson (Overall Rank)
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.