Harry
ASFN Consultant and Senior Writer
This weekend, maybe even today, I’ll start posting general draft stuff. I think I’ve made it clear I don’t want the Cards to take a QB at 13, but if they do I prefer they take Watson. Like the others he’s no sure thing. He can, however, be a useful player, which is not a lock with the other options. I know the Cards did a modified Wildcat with Williams (who likely makes this year’s team), but there was little danger he would throw. Watson could take over that spot immediately and likely be effective. I think he’s 2 years removed from being a starter, but should be an adequate backup by 2018.
There is a great deal to like about Watson. He has good arm strength, but not at the Mahomes level. He is a true double threat QB, he can pass and he is a major threat as a runner with surprising power. However the thing I like best about him is his drive to win. There is no question he is far above all the other top QBs this year with his play in what’s termed close and late situations. He plays his best when the game is on the line and that’s a talent that is almost impossible to teach. Consider Russell Wilson. He’s made a career of being decent during the game, but virtually unstoppable close and late. The Cards will soon have to rebuild their O-line and Watson is the best of the group at avoiding the sack and improvising effectively. A running QB scares most coaches, but like Wilson, it’s hard to square up Watson to deliver a crushing blow. He has that rare body control that makes him hard to directly impact. Most of the hits he takes are glancing. There’s always a risk, like Wilson’s injury of this past year, but Watson has good durability, apparent quick recovery genes and the willingness to play and execute when not at 100%. His leadership skills are impressive as his team exhibits total belief he will do what is needed to win the game.
As a passer he stays calm in the pocket and despite his prodigious running skills he does not have happy feet. He has good throwing form and generates power through his hips. The latter being an advanced form skill, but does mean what you see is what you’ll get as far as power. He shows good touch and route anticipation and timing. He displays a solid over-the-top, fluid throwing motion. This is critical because he doesn’t have ideal height. He keeps his eyes downfield and knows to look off defenders.
Nonetheless there is work to be done. He hasn’t worked under center, but I think he’ll be fine in that respect. He tends to over-stride, which will cause the ball to sail. When he gets hurried, he can resort to flat-footed throws. He needs to work on his receiver progressions. Even when he looks off defenders (of course sometimes this doesn’t work) he still tries to complete the pass to his primary receiver. He relies too much on his receivers to make the play. It’s not clear to me how well he sees the field (my biggest concern). This vision issue and forcing the ball to the primary receiver often causes interceptions.
If the Cards are determined to take a QB with 13 pick, he’d be my guy. You could win big with this selection. That said if my guys are gone I’m trading down.
There is a great deal to like about Watson. He has good arm strength, but not at the Mahomes level. He is a true double threat QB, he can pass and he is a major threat as a runner with surprising power. However the thing I like best about him is his drive to win. There is no question he is far above all the other top QBs this year with his play in what’s termed close and late situations. He plays his best when the game is on the line and that’s a talent that is almost impossible to teach. Consider Russell Wilson. He’s made a career of being decent during the game, but virtually unstoppable close and late. The Cards will soon have to rebuild their O-line and Watson is the best of the group at avoiding the sack and improvising effectively. A running QB scares most coaches, but like Wilson, it’s hard to square up Watson to deliver a crushing blow. He has that rare body control that makes him hard to directly impact. Most of the hits he takes are glancing. There’s always a risk, like Wilson’s injury of this past year, but Watson has good durability, apparent quick recovery genes and the willingness to play and execute when not at 100%. His leadership skills are impressive as his team exhibits total belief he will do what is needed to win the game.
As a passer he stays calm in the pocket and despite his prodigious running skills he does not have happy feet. He has good throwing form and generates power through his hips. The latter being an advanced form skill, but does mean what you see is what you’ll get as far as power. He shows good touch and route anticipation and timing. He displays a solid over-the-top, fluid throwing motion. This is critical because he doesn’t have ideal height. He keeps his eyes downfield and knows to look off defenders.
Nonetheless there is work to be done. He hasn’t worked under center, but I think he’ll be fine in that respect. He tends to over-stride, which will cause the ball to sail. When he gets hurried, he can resort to flat-footed throws. He needs to work on his receiver progressions. Even when he looks off defenders (of course sometimes this doesn’t work) he still tries to complete the pass to his primary receiver. He relies too much on his receivers to make the play. It’s not clear to me how well he sees the field (my biggest concern). This vision issue and forcing the ball to the primary receiver often causes interceptions.
If the Cards are determined to take a QB with 13 pick, he’d be my guy. You could win big with this selection. That said if my guys are gone I’m trading down.
