Jets UDFA With Best Chance To Make Roster: Eric Watts (NFL)
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Jets UDFA With Best Chance To Make Roster: Eric Watts

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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The New York Jets initially agreed to terms with 17 undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft. That number grew by one to 18 after rookie minicamp. Former Connecticut defensive end Eric Watts is the standout prospect among the large group. Watts finds himself in an excellent position to compete for a spot on the Jets’ 53-man roster.

What first stood out about Watts throughout the pre-draft process was his measurables. Watts possesses the unteachables. He measured in at nearly 6-foot-6 and 274 pounds with a 95th percentile wingspan (84.375 inches) and 97th percentile arm length (35.75 inches).

Watts also tested fairly well at the NFL Combine. The Huskies standout ran the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds with excellent splits of 2.73 and 1.62. Watts also had a 36.5-inch vertical and 9-foot-9 broad jump. Watts' 4.73 shuttle and 7.59 3-cone were incredibly poor and raised questions regarding his change of direction ability, but Watts still captured an eye-opening Relative Athletic Score of 8.24 out of 10.

I possessed a draftable grade on Watts and was surprised to see him go unpicked. Jets general manager Joe Douglas showed immediate interest in Watts, signing him to a contract that contained $245,000 in salary guarantees, according to reports. In some instances, that's more money than a sixth or seventh-round draft pick earns. Watts is the highest-paid player of the Jets' 18 undrafted free agents. It increases his chances of making the roster.

Watts recorded 34 tackles throughout 2023, along with 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. He was considerably more effective during the 2022 campaign, totaling career highs in TFLs (10) and sacks (7.0). The downgrade in production is something the Jets will attempt to sort through in training camp.

Watts' length and strength allow him to play a versatile role across the defensive line, whether as a wide-9 on the outside or as a 3-tech inside. Watts pairs first-step quickness with explosiveness in close quarters. Watts does an outstanding job converting speed to power, but he remains a work in progress technically. The Jets will attempt to refine Watts' pass-rush arsenal and pre-snap recognition.

The Jets possess good depth on the edge, with Haason Reddick, Jermaine Johnson, and Will McDonald expected to fill out a three-man rotation. It's worth acknowledging the Jets traded John Franklin-Myers to the Denver Broncos earlier this offseason. Franklin-Myers was arguably the most versatile player on the Jets' defensive line.

Franklin-Myers was extremely malleable for the Jets last season, playing 119 or more snaps in three different alignments, per Pro Football Focus. Players like Reddick and Johnson don't offer the same versatility. Watts projects as a more similar player to Franklin-Myers with inside-outside capabilities.

Wide receiver and return specialist Xavier Gipson made the Jets’ roster as an undrafted free agent last season. In 2022, it was safety Tony Adams, who earned a starting role this past year. Watts is talented enough to carve out a similar path for himself if he maximizes his opportunity throughout training camp and the preseason. It'll come down to his ability to develop the finer details.



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