J.J. Watt NFL Draft scouting report

J.J. Watt
6’5, 290 pounds | Defensive end | Wisconsin

Pass rush: Watt is a strong pass rusher who has NFL-ready strength to play from the inside or outside. Doesn’t have the best explosion, but is quick to work the edge. Not especially fluid in his movement and he does have some trouble changing direction on the fly. Still, his spin move is good, but a little slow developing. Displays a very good swim move to work past blocks. Shows a good bull rush. Tends to get tall in pass rush situations.

Pursuit: Takes proper angles toward the ball carrier and doesn’t give up on plays. It’s hard to imagine people questioning Watt’s effort on a play-to-play basis. As good as he is in pursuit, Watt knows when to dial it down to simply hold the edge and anchor.

Run defense: Possesses and top-level punch to beat blockers in the run game. Consistent in his high effort getting after the ball. Watt’s playing strength really shows off against the run. Can be dominant against runs inside but is still athletic enough to defend the outside run. Has worked some inside against the run and uses a good swim to slip past blockers.

Strength: Has the strength to start as a rookie and not get washed out of plays. Has power throughout his frame, which he uses to his advantage. Has an impressive bull rush. Has the strength to hold up against the double team, which will help if he’s used in a 3-4 scheme.

Tackling: With his length, strength and effort, Watt can be an excellent tackler. He takes good pursuit angles to the ball carrier as long as he uses proper technique. Is a strong wrap-up sacker who can really deliver a pop.

Technique: One issue that might keep Watt from being a true NFL pass rusher is that he gets high in his stance. Watt has long arms and he knows how to use them to his advantage. Consistently gets extension with his arms. Watt has a tendency to get sideways in run defense and needs to square up better.

Final word: The comparison Watt will continue to see is Adam Carriker. The difference between the two, though, is that Watt is more diverse working off the line of scrimmage. He displays a solid array of moves to get into the back field. Has power and quickness, which makes him hard to get a handle on.

Has the look of a classic 3-4 defensive end because he has the strength to hold his place on the line. The only thing you have to question about Watt is his technique. As a former tight end at Central Michigan, he can be inconsistent in several areas of his technique.