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Nathaniel Watson to Browns in NFL draft: Instant grade, analysis, stats for 206th pick
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- Nathaniel Watson to Browns in NFL draft: Instant grade, analysis, stats for 206th pick
The Browns entered the weekend with thin linebacker depth, so they used their fourth pick of the 2024 NFL draft to supplement it. They selected Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson in the sixth round (206th overall) Saturday. Below is our instant draft grade on Watson. It would be absurd to render a rapid judgment on him. One of the greatest football coaches of all time, Bill Belichick , recently said he's always graded a player on what he's projected to become in his second year as a pro. So this grade is an evaluation of Watson's fit with the Browns and their strategy, not his talent.
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Nov 23, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) carries an American Flag onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson to Browns NFL draft grade: Instant reaction
Grade: B
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Why: An immediate special teams contributor who could provide a safety valve at linebacker? The Southeastern Conference's leader in tackles (137) and sacks (10) last season as a senior, Watson has the potential to fit the description as a rookie. The Browns would welcome it in a linebacking corps headlined by Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and free-agent acquisition Jordan Hicks and rounded out primarily by free-agent pickup Devin Bush, Tony Fields II and Mohamoud Diabate after the departures of Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki in free agency.
The 6-foot-2, 233-pound Watson played middle linebacker and logged 576 snaps on special teams in college, according to the draft guide of The Athletic's Dane Brugler . Watson has an impressive football resume and NFL pedigree. Last season, he was a finalist for the Butkus Award given to the nation's top linebacker. His uncle Harold Morrow and great-uncle Tommie Agee played in the league. The Browns love his toughness.
But Watson, 23, has arrests (charges related to drag racing and suspicion of DUI) in his background . The Browns were obviously comfortable enough with his history to use a late-round choice on him. If he can stay on the right path, the Browns may be rewarded. His production jumps off the page.
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Nathaniel Watson NFL draft grade: Instant analysis of Browns' pick
