Cleveland grabbed one in round six in Mississippi State's Nathaniel Watson who may not be an explosive playmaker but is gonna roll up tackles against the run and help immediately on special teams.
Watson was named the 2023 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, which generally isn't given to players from Mississippi State, and at 6'2, 233 pounds, Watson is your old-school thumper at linebacker.
Watson led the SEC in tackles and finished tied for the lead in sacks (ten) with Alabama's Dallas Turner, who was the first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the draft.
Watson is regarded as a two-down linebacker as his strength isn't his pass coverage, although it's not out of the question that he could eventually become average against the pass.
Watson tackles well and showed some blitzing ability with Mississippi State but was a sixth-year senior due to the Covid pandemic, so he was older than most of the competition last year.
Watson might be a special teams asset but he'll have to prove that as he didn't play on the coverage teams in Starkville.
Watson seems to have the upside of a solid stay-at-home linebacker who could have a chance of eventually starting and might develop into a veteran leader.
At worst. I think he'll be a backup and special teamer.
I really like this pick and think Watson has a decent chance of making the roster.
Back later with looks at the two players selected in round seven.
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