Blake Watson, RB, Memphis
Size:
Height: 5’9.5” | Weight: 189 pounds
Accomplishments:
First-Team All-AAC (2023) • All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention (2022) • All-Conference USA Honorable Mention (2021, 2019)
“Blake Watson is a versatile offensive weapon with the patience and vision to challenge for snaps within a multi-back offensive script.”
Strengths:
Contact balance
Dynamic in the screen game
Wiggle in open space
Ball security
Patience
Concerns:
Top-end speed
Foot quickness
Pad level
Film Analysis:
Blake Watson is a versatile offensive weapon with the patience and vision to challenge for snaps within a multi-back offensive script. He’s a primary zone runner who showcases excellent patience aligned both in pistol and in shotgun in the hip of the QB. Will slowly delay at the mesh point to allow blocks to develop, only to quickly accelerate to and through the hole. Won’t shy away from contact but is not an overpowering runner in the alley by any means.
Watson has good lateral agility and a knack for bouncing off tacklers—arm tackles won’t work. Will stay committed to his rush lane as long as possible but is not shy about bouncing to the perimeter or hitting a cut-back lane on the opposite side of the formation. Keeps the ball high and tight and did not put the football on the ground in college on 591 carries. In space, Watson is by no means slow, but the requisite burst and long speed to outrun NFL defenders currently lacks. However, he is slippery in the open field where he will stop-and-start, stiff-arm, and spin his way around defenders for extra yards.
As a pass-catcher, while Watson’s route tree remained extremely limited, he’s dynamic with the ball in his hands. Primarily received targets on flat routes, screens, and delayed leaks into the fringe areas of the defense. Sure hands and quick to get eyes upfield. Acceleration lacks to consistently outrun pursuit angles as a more build-up speed type of runner, but will often make the first man miss. As he is as a primary ball-carrier, Watson’s knack for working around linebackers and secondary defenders in space should intrigue teams in need of pop in the passing game at the RB position. Tough runner and always falling forward despite his lack of fundamental strength and mass.
Overall, Watson should challenge for snaps within an offense that utilizes multiple backs and multiple skill sets. Projecting him as an early down ball-carrier would be rich at this point in his evaluation, but Watson should quickly challenge for snaps on third down where his ability in the open field could open the door for increased work on first and second down.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Developmental Traits
Exposures: Navy (2023), Missouri (2023)
