Watch out Manelik, there is a new Watson in town! All, 177lbs of one! Raiders have been busy on the UDFA circuit, and one of the last yet to be profiled here at Silver & Black Pride is Jansen Watson, CB out of Iowa St.
Saying Jansen Watson is not a big guy by NFL standards would qualify as one of the understatements of the year. He is 5'9 and 177lbs which would make him one of the smallest NFL players in the whole league if he were to make the team. Why take a look at a guy of his stature? Well, his workout numbers make it a little more clear why the Raiders interest has been piqued by the mighty mouse that is Jansen Watson.
He ran a 4.43 40 yard dash which would have been the 7th best at the combine for a corner, had a 10'09" broad jump which would have tied with Raiders 4th round pick Keith McGill for 2nd best at the combine for the corners, and a 38in vertical jump which would have been tied for 9th best at the combine for a CB. He also had a not bad bench press of 12 reps, which is impressive considering that the 225lb bench press outweighed Watson himself by 48lbs.
As far as stats go at Iowa ST he was most impressive in pass break ups with 8 of them in 2013 to go along with his 29 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble in 10 games, 9 of which he started. He had 41 tackles in 2012 in 10 games played as well, so he is not afraid to go up and make a tackle. His final collegiate statline reads as 19 starts, 91 tackles, 15 passes defensed, and 1 interception.
It will be unlikely that Watson is able to make the Raiders regular season squad but if he does he will have fought his way onto it. The Raiders already have an abundance of Cornerback prospects so he will have to stand out to have a shot.
Realistically for him to make the team he will likely have to show some special teams prowess. If he can show to be a decent gunner and/or return specialist it will go a long way towards him impressing the coaches. It is a long shot for Watson, but at just 177lbs it is clear that he is a fighter that will be looking forward to the challenge.
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