Patriots NFL Draft Prospect: DE J.J. Watt, Wisconsin

by Richard Hill on Apr 13, 2011 4:00 PM EDT in New England Patriots NFL Draft

Name: DE J.J. Watt

School: Wisconsin

Size: 6'5, 290 lbs

Expected Round: 1st

40 Time: 4.81s

Career Stats: Click Here.

Player Previews: CBS; Walter Football; NFL Combine [If you would like your website included, please e-mail me!]

Strengths: Elite 3-4 DE frame. Incredible athleticism and is the most athletic 3-4 DE in the draft. Explodes through the line off the snap. Great power to break through blocks and great speed to get around the corner. Incredible motor. Requires a double team to stop his relentless pass rush. Usually able to time the snap well. Extremely aware of passing lanes and will always get his hands up to try and knock the ball down at the line. Great movement on the line to cut inside and catch linemen off balance. Excellent character.

Weaknesses: Gets caught up in chasing the ball carrier that he loses his lane control and can give up yards. Lacks a final explosive step to reach the ball carrier and appears to only sustain his initial momentum; if he's stopped, then he seems to struggle to break through. He doesn't give up, but he doesn't make as much progress, and he certainly won't against better competition. Sometimes gets too high in his stance and can get blown backwards on running downs. Can be called for offsides for premature jumping. A little on the small size and will have to grow his trunk.

Why and Why Not the Patriots after the jump, and my final verdict!

Why the Patriots?: Watt is easily the best pass rushing 3-4 DE who may be available for the Patriots. Non-stop motor and he'll always be a threat to generate pressure on the opposing quarterback. He's a phenomenal locker room guy who will bring his lunchpail to work every day in order to improve his game. He has tremendous upside and could be the pass rushing link that the Patriots need on the defensive line.

Why Not the Patriots?: Watt doesn't seem to have a strong grasp on run defense and instead just wants to get into the backfield and disrupt passing plays. If the Patriots go up by a lot, Watt may be a good pick because opposing teams will be throwing the ball. However, if that's not the fact, Watt will be a liability in the run defense. He can get stonewalled by a single blocker in run defense and run out of the play. He's a player with Mike Wright's skill set in a body with ten times the athleticism- a great addition on passing downs, big question mark on running downs.

Verdict: When I watch Watt, I see the glamor pushing him beyond Heyward and Wilkerson as a prospect. Everyone loves the fact that he's in the backfield all the time and they assume that it's positive pressure. I see a player abandoning his lane who doesn't have a final burst to reach the ball carrier. Without a second burst, I see his pass rushing ability becoming less effective against greater competition. I see a player who will struggle against the run if he's expected to watch two gaps and who won't flourish in the Patriots' defense. He has great athleticism and upside, but I honestly don't see him putting it together with the Patriots. He's a great guy and I wish him the best success, but I don't see why he has such a higher rating than the other DEs and I don't seem him fitting with the Patriots. The Patriots need a DE who can stop the run and pressure the quarterback. Watt can pressure the quarterback and really pressure the quarterback. I don't want to get drawn in when there are a lot of flaws with his game.

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Right on, Mr. Hill

If you look at :57 and 2:20 of the OSU film, you’ll see exactly what this scouting report says – if the lineman (or two) can put his (or their) hands on Watt, his getting driven back and maybe even pancaked. Watt is a terrific penetrator, in both run and pass situations, and that might make him more suited for the 4-3 or a one-gap 3-4 system. I agree with guys like Mayock who say he’s an incredible 5-tech player – it just might fit better with, say, the Steelers. Unfortunately, the Patriots defense requires a player to be able to take on blocks, rather than avoid them.

On the other hand, Watt IS a workout warrior and might have the best attitude in the draft. If there is anyone in the draft that you can confidently draft and say, “I can tell this guy to gain 15-20 pounds of muscle and teach him how to take on blocks,” it’s this guy. Question is whether you’re willing to take on that risk for someone who might not pan out in your system, especially in the 1st round, which is why I’d put Watt slightly down the Patriots’ draft board.

by wildcat61 on Apr 13, 2011 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed.

I think Watt has tremendous upside in the right system, but he doesn’t fit the Patriots’ defensive scheme. “The Patriots defense requires a player to be able to take on blocks, rather than avoid them” is a fantastic way to describe his style of play.

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by Richard Hill on Apr 13, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I simply choose to boo and hiss instead of responding to any actual arguments.

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by Ben Buchanan on Apr 13, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Haha

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by Richard Hill on Apr 13, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

JJ Watt vs Michigan State

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2q9DIi4m_c

by Redijedi on Apr 17, 2011 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

0:51 of the OSU clip

Pryor evades Watt, and gets solo-tackled by a 5’9" CB. W.T.F.

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by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Apr 13, 2011 5:02 PM EDT reply actions

Watt doesn't have a closing burst...

…look at his sacks- he sort of falls/gets pushed into the quarterback. He’s incredible at getting through the line and his damage is a result of his momentum. Maybe he can be coached to get a second burst, but I haven’t seen it on tape.

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by Richard Hill on Apr 13, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Watt also seems to give up on plays once they are past him. Its like he puts all his energy into getting there. But once he gets there there is no finish to his hustle. I think traps, draws, misdirection and pulling plays would eliminate him from the play on the pro side. At least early in his career.

by Patriots12 on Apr 14, 2011 2:13 AM EDT up reply actions

6'6/290 is appealing

but there’s no denying he’s a penetrating DL not a block eater.

I doubt he’s there at 17 anyways.

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Apr 13, 2011 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

I think he can put on the lbs

and be a good DL for us. We have an excellent DL coaching staff, and we should be able to coach him up very well.

He would also be great on our 4-3 fronts. Watt, Pryor, Wilfork, Warren seems like a good DL to me. I think he can be a very good pickup, but he would have to be coached up (which I dont mind).

But I would rather have Wilkerson.

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by Jack'sAxe on Apr 13, 2011 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

LB's? Watt?

No. Just no.

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by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Apr 13, 2011 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

He means that Watt can put on lbs, or weight. Pounds.

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by Richard Hill on Apr 13, 2011 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah

I thought for a moment JA was considering moving him to OLB. That would be a disaster.

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Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Apr 13, 2011 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

He did stand up in the first few plays of the TCU game...

Elephant? Haha just kidding. Actually, when I saw those few clips of him standing up and being successful I couldn’t help but think of Bill coming up with more of those all DL standing up packages that we don’t run anymore.

by wildcat61 on Apr 13, 2011 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Whatever happened to those defenses?

I used to love seeing Peyton Manning trying to figure out what was going on with those defenses. And then the Browns did that to us this year with the ‘amoeba’ defense…hmmmmmm where’d Mangina learn that

by The Qwan on Apr 13, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, I just joined and had a question

Can someone explain to me the difference in all of the numbers in regards to techniques? Thanks

by Always Sunny Next Year on Apr 13, 2011 5:42 PM EDT reply actions

Sure!

0 Technique – Lined directly across from the Center
1 Technique – Lined between the Center and a Guard
2 Technique – Lined directly across a Guard
3 Technique – Lined between a Guard and a Tackle
4 Technique – Lined directly across from a Tackle
5 Technique – Lined between a Tackle and a Tight End, or on the outside shoulder of a Tackle

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by Richard Hill on Apr 13, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

For the Patriots, in their two gap defense...

…there are two DEs and a NT. The DEs usually float, depending on the assistance from the outside linebackers. If the OLBs are standing by the line of scrimmage, the DEs will slide inside to the 4 technique, or even the 3 technique. If the OLBs are set back in coverage, the DEs stay on the outside at the 5 technique. The nose tackle will usually play the 1 technique because it gives them an inside track to an interior gap.

The 5 technique’s job, in the Patriots’ two gap defense, is to watch the B and C gaps, which are the gaps between the guard and the tackle, as well as the outside shoulder of the tackle. This is why “5 technique” is important- it means that they can set the edge against the tackle to eliminate the C gap, but they also have to be able to get inside and take away the B gap if needed.

The nose tackle is expected to watch both A gaps (between the center and guard), which is why you rarely see Vince Wilfork penetrating deep into the pocket. He can push back the center to collapse the pocket, but he never crashes it, or else he’ll lose his gap maintain.

Of course, the inside linebackers are used for additional support on both the A and B gaps.

Here are the roles:

NT – Both A gaps.
DE – B and C gaps.
ILB – A and B gaps
OLB – C gap and getting the quarterback.

That’s why you rarely see pressure from a non-OLB. Their job is to watch the gaps and open up lanes for the LBs to either make the stop or generate pressure.

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by Richard Hill on Apr 13, 2011 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks

This is really helpful, thanks for writhing this up.

by Always Sunny Next Year on Apr 13, 2011 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Your forgot the 7 tech

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by NinjaZX6R on Apr 13, 2011 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I mean, there are many more techs...

…but these are the main DL ones.

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by Richard Hill on Apr 13, 2011 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I was taught this:
0 technique: heads up on the centre
1 technique: outside shoulder of centre (either side)
2 technique: inside shoulder of guard
3 technique: heads up on guard
4 technique: outside shoulder guard
5 technique: inside shoulder of tackle
6 technique: heads up on tackle
7 technique: outside shoulder tackle

I’ve googled this and it seems there are different views on the matter :P (some agree with me, some you)

by quadruple option on Apr 14, 2011 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Now I’m seeing 3I, 4I wtf.
Too many differences in terminology.

by quadruple option on Apr 14, 2011 2:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Inside shoulder of guard should be shoulder of center.

Even numbers should be directly across. Or that’s what I thought it was.

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by insertscreenname on Apr 14, 2011 5:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah...

…especially because the outside shoulder of the center and inside shoulder of the guard are usually the same thing?

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by Richard Hill on Apr 14, 2011 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe not at high school,

But 2 300 lbers take up a lot of space.

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by insertscreenname on Apr 14, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Again I think I probably had weird teaching…
in most lines, especially with a spread O like Texas Tech, there’s a definite gap between outside shoulder of C (or G) and inside shoulder of G (or T)
So it’s a difference of a few inches, but it’s still relevant I guess.

by quadruple option on Apr 15, 2011 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Wonder if you were taught a particular angle to hit, too...

IE – whether if you were taught to line up inside-Guard you were meant to run straight north-south, but if you were taught outer-Center you were meant to run out a little to dash around the C and hit a gap.

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by Comedic.Sans on Apr 15, 2011 4:49 AM EDT up reply actions

The idea of drafting a guy like JJ Watt is great until

You watch him and see that all he does is shoot the gaps and get into the backfield which, as several other have mentioned, is not what the Patriots do. When I watched the film of Watt all I could think about was 4-3 penetrating DT or an attacking style 3-4 DE. I didnt see Patriots 3-4 ‘eat the double team, read and react’ DE. He’d be great in the sub defences though.

by The Qwan on Apr 13, 2011 6:05 PM EDT reply actions