When Desmond Watson stepped onto the field for Florida’s Pro Day on March 5, 2025, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the 6-foot-6, 464-pound defensive tackle immediately commanded attention. At a staggering weight that makes him potentially the heaviest player ever drafted into the NFL, Watson’s performance was a mix of jaw-dropping feats and predictable struggles, leaving scouts intrigued but uncertain about his professional future.
Watson’s 40-yard dash time of 5.93 seconds was, unsurprisingly, one of the slowest ever recorded at a Pro Day, reflecting the reality of moving nearly a quarter-ton of mass. Speed isn’t his game—no one expected a player of his size to blaze down the field like a linebacker. What turned heads, however, was his raw power and explosiveness in other drills. He benched 225 pounds an astonishing 36 times, a number that would be elite for any prospect, let alone one his size, and his 25-inch vertical jump showcased remarkable athleticism for a man who outweighs most NFL linemen by 100 pounds or more.
On the field, Watson’s college stats tell a story of steady contribution rather than dominance. Over four seasons with the Florida Gators, he played in 51 games, recording 63 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. His role was clear: clog running lanes and eat double teams, a job he did well, often freeing up teammates to make plays. Florida teammate Joey Slackman praised his Pro Day effort, saying, “He did awesome… I knew he was gonna go for a crazy number. Obviously, he’s a huge dude, but he was locked in from the start.” Head coach Billy Napier called him “a unicorn,” a nod to his rare combination of size and skill.
But Watson’s weight—listed at 449 pounds during the 2024 season and ballooning to 464 at Pro Day—presents a unique challenge. No player over 400 pounds has ever been drafted into the NFL, with the heaviest on record being offensive tackle Aaron Gibson, who weighed 386 pounds when the Detroit Lions took him in 1999. Watson’s mass makes him a space-eater, but it also raises concerns about durability, stamina, and long-term health in a league that increasingly values speed and versatility on the defensive line. Posts on X from users like
@bzurkflow and
@LunchmeatMumfrd suggest some see him as a late-round or UDFA pickup for teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, potentially to counter plays like the “tush push,” but the consensus is far from clear.
Scouts are split. Watson’s bench press and vertical jump numbers highlight his raw power, but his 40-yard dash underscores the limitations of his size in a game where defensive tackles are often asked to chase down mobile quarterbacks or cover gaps in pass-heavy offenses. His college production, while solid, isn’t eye-popping—1.5 sacks in four years won’t scream “game-changer” to NFL teams. Yet, his ability to anchor against the run could make him a situational player, especially for teams needing a nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme. Florida’s Pro Day drew heavy attendance, with all 32 NFL teams present, and Watson’s performance ensured he’ll be a topic of discussion in draft rooms.
The 2025 NFL Draft, set for April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, will be the ultimate test of Watson’s pro potential. At 464 pounds, he’s a physical anomaly, but the NFL has evolved into a league where athleticism often trumps sheer size. Teams might see him as a project worth taking a flier on in the later rounds or as an undrafted free agent, banking on his strength to carve out a role. For now, Watson’s Pro Day has made him a viral sensation—but whether that translates to an NFL roster spot remains a big question mark.
