Nathaniel Watson LB Mississippi State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Nathaniel Watson LB Mississippi State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.63 seconds (73%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 24.2 DOB: 09/01/2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | |
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.63 seconds (73%*) | |
| Age: 24.2 DOB: 09/01/2000 | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: |
78.9 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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99% |
| Pass Rush: |
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80% |
| Run Defense: |
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79% |
| Coverage: |
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70% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#200
Position rank:
#17
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| College Games: 52 College Snaps: 2360 | ||
ESPN RATING: 77/100
College Combine Results
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OVR Rank:
#407
Pos Rank:
#74
State Rank:
#26
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 88/100
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| Ovr Rank: #664 Pos Rank: #52 | ||
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nick Hampton - Appalachian State |
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85% |
| Bumper Pool - Arkansas |
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78% |
| Aubrey Miller Jr. - Jackson State |
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77% |
Drafted: ROUND: 6 - Pick Number: 206 (CLE)
Draft Profile: Bio
Nathaniel Watson from Maplesville High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Watson joined Mississippi State.In 2018 as a freshman Watson saw action in just 2 games and played a total of 8 snaps at linebacker for the Bulldogs. He recorded only 3 tackles, no assists, while adding one stop.
As a sophomore for the Bulldogs in 2019 Watson played in 3 games and took part in 33 snaps for the Bulldogs. He recorded only 2 tackles, no assists, while adding 2 stops.
In 2020 as a junior Watson played in 11 games and contributed on 348 snaps. He recorded 22 tackles, 10 assists while making 13 stops. In coverage Watson chalked up no pass breakups, no interceptions, and QB rating when targetted of 96.9. As a pass rusher, he produced 5 total pressures, which included 2 QB hurries, 3 QB hits, and no sacks on the year.
In 2021 as a senior Watson logged playing time in 12 games and logged a total of 577 snaps for the Bulldogs. He also added 50 tackles, 24 assists, and 30 stops. While in coverage Watson made no pass breakups, no interceptions, and QB rating when targetted of 109.0. As a pass rusher, he tallied 17 total pressures, which included 10 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 5 sacks on the season.
In 2022 as a fifth year senior Watson logged playing time in 12 games and logged a total of 654 snaps for the Bulldogs. He also added decent 66 tackles, 30 assists, and 45 stops. While in coverage Watson made no pass breakups, one interception, and QB rating when targetted of 85.6. As a pass rusher, he tallied 25 total pressures, which included 16 QB hurries, 4 QB hits, and 5 sacks on the season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Has enough hustle and athleticism to make plays in the flat against running backs. Lacks height but has the vertical and timing to knock away passes when approaching the quarterback.
- Watson shows good quickness off the line of scrimmage and flashes the violent hands to win around the edge.
- He’s an instinctive and active chase-and-tackle 4-3 Will, with the speed to go sideline to sideline. He takes excellent angles. He also has an innate sense for shooting gaps as a run defender.
- Big, aggressive hitter who can lay the wood. Has good awareness to quickly locate the ball, keeping his eyes up and on point.
- Watson combines the athleticism of a chase-and-tackle defender and the toughness and physicality of a classic 4-3 Mike.
- Thickly built with classic linebacker size, adequate strength and the smarts to cover up his athletic shortcomings in the right scheme.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Not a sudden or quick-twitch athlete. Will never be the strongest player on the field and can struggle to shed from different angles.
- He’s not long, and his frame is just about maxed out.
- Can be too hesitant when Watson doesn't find the ball immediately.
Nathaniel Watson percentiles vs other Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Nathaniel Watson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
188.4
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
22.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*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.
*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.