Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sign 21.5 Pass-Rushing Sack Specialist
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a number of holes in their roster to fill this offseason and have continued to work on those through free agency and the NFL Draft. Following the draft, teams around the NFL held rookie minicamps for the rookies coming in after being drafted along with players who went undrafted looking for a place to call home.
One of the moves the Buccaneers have made since rookie minicamp has been signing Markees Watts out of the University of Charlotte.
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Per FOX Sports' Greg Auman, Tampa Bay will be getting an elite pass-rushing presence to hopefully add depth at the linebacker position. Currently, the Buccaneers have Shaquil Barrett, Lavonte David, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, and Devin White taking the starting spots with backups Anthony Nelson, Cam Gill, K.J. Britt, and Jose Ramirez. There could definitely be some wiggle room in this area as the majority of the backups are necessarily locks to make the Buccaneers' roster in 2023.
As for Watts, he will be trying to bring his pass-rushing presence throughout the offseason workouts to prove that he belongs in the Buccaneers' linebacker room.
Watts, a 6-foot 234-pound linebacker, will garner the 89th spot on the Bucs' 90-man roster. He spent five years during his collegiate career - all at Charlotte - on his way to breaking the school's record for most sacks in a career (21.5) and most games played (54). Watts' best season came in 2019 when he was just half a sack shy of reaching double-digit sack numbers with 9.5.
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Per Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network's scouting report, Watts is explosive and fluid when coming out of his three-point stance, but has work to do when it comes shedding a single blocker and coming off the edge.
“Fluid, smooth defender who primarily came out of a three-point stance for Charlotte,” writes Pauline. “Athletic, easily moves about the field, and plays with balance. Quickly gets down the line of scrimmage to pursue the action and is rarely off his feet. Breaks down well and uses his hands to protect himself. Explosive and plays with balance as well as body control.”
“Controlled at the point by a single blocker,” writes Pauline. “Not much of an edge rusher out of a three-point stance. Primarily used up the field.”
Watts will have to come into the Buccaneers' offseason training with a chip on his shoulder knowing that he will have to prove himself in order to maintain his spot on the roster. There is an upside with him, but he will need to pay close attention to his weaknesses and develop them to become a more well-balanced player in the NFL.
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