Combine snub could be the next Tony Pollard for the Dallas Cowboys
From Memphis to Dallas, Blake Watson could follow in Tony Pollard's footsteps.
Tony Pollard was the Dallas Cowboys fourth-round pick (128th overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft. In his five-year career in Dallas he amassed 3,621 total yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground and another 1,319 yards and five touchdowns through the air. That production will surely be missed after he chose to sign with the Tennessee Titans in free agency.
The Cowboys definitely got their bang for their buck over a five-year span after drafting the little known running back out of Memphis and could potentially return to that well in hopes of lightning striking twice. That's right, Tony Pollard's alma mater could possibly be the answer as to how the Cowboys find some help for their rushing attack.
Blake Watson is another promising running back prospect looking to be the latest Memphis Tiger RB to make his mark in the NFL. Just like Tony Pollard, Darrell Henderson, Antonio Gibson, Kenneth Gainwell, and Calvin Austin III in recent years, Watson looks to be the next Memphis RB drafted by one of the 32 NFL teams in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Blake Watson is somewhat of an under the radar prospect this year. In fact, he wasn't even invited to this year's Scouting Combine, one of the bigger events of the offseason in which this year's NFL hopefuls meet and greet with teams around the league, as well as show off some of their athleticism in different on-field drills.
Being a combine snub, Watson is already somewhat at a disadvantage to some of the other RBs in the 2024 draft class. He pretty much has to rely solely on his film and his Pro Day workout to gain the attention of teams in hopes of hearing his name called at some point in the NFL draft, likely mid-to-late on Day 3.
From the @MemphisFB Pro Day today, RB Blake Watson wowed NFL personnel.
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) March 28, 2024
Scouts really liked the film, but had questions on athleticism and speed.
At 5096 and 200 pounds (‼️) he ran a 4.40 (times in high 4.3s/low 4.4s.)
As compared to NFL Combine RBs:
✅4.40 forty (4th best)… pic.twitter.com/W89mQ8tos8
Whether your fan or not, The Athletic's Dane Brugler is a highly-regarded draft analyst who is not only good at what he does, but is also tapped into the scouting world. He currently has Blake Watson listed as his 19th ranked RB this year and has him graded as a sixth- or seventh-round draft pick.
Watson might not have a featured role in the NFL, but his run balance and patient instincts make him a slippery threat with the ball in his hands. Despite his inconsistency as a pass blocker, he projects best as a third-down back. - Dane Brugler -
"Balance", "patient", and "slippery" - all words Dane Brugler used to describe Blake Watson, and the same can be said when describing Tony Pollard. That's not it though. Watson is also a former-WR-turned-RB, so he has that dual threat ability just like Pollard. And, his legit 4.4 speed makes him a dangerous player in space any time he touches the ball.
There is a slight difference between the two though. Blake Watson is a smaller player (5'9", 200), and as such, doesn't run with the same type of pop Tony Pollard does. Because of that, he lacks the between-the-tackles power to probably be an every down back, but still has the ability to be a dangerous offensive weapon in a running back committee.
The Cowboys are probably planning on targeting the running back position much earlier than Day 3 when Blake Watson is expected to hear his name called, however, if they double dip at the position he's definitely worth taking a late-round flyer on. Will it end up happening? Maybe, maybe not. Regardless, he's worth keeping an eye on in any event.
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