•  

Scouting Report: JJ Watt


By Rob Engle
March 11th, 2011 at 11:29 pm


 

Position: DE School: Wisconsin
Height: 6’5 3/8" Weight: 290 lbs
Class: Junior 40 time: 4.84
All-Star Game: n/a Team Captain: No

Draft Projection:

Top 20 Pick

 

JJ Watt

Summary

JJ Watt has seen his stock soar after he quietly dominated the combine. Most people assumed he was only an average athlete coming into the combine, and after the combine shot up most draftniks boards. He put together a fairly dominating season at DE for the Badgers, and had his best performances in big games. He is scheme versatile and has the length, strength, athleticism, and hand quickness and ability to disengage from blockers you look for in a 3-4 end, and also the pass rushing abilities of a 4-3 end. Watt ultimately looks to be one of the safer defensive picks in the draft.

 

Run Stopping

Watt is an above average run defender who uses his short area quickness, long arms, and strong hands to disengage from blockers to stop the run. He’s also very instinctive and knows when to get off his blocks. He struggled at times when more powerful backs ran right at his gaps to wrap up and make a tackle. Because of his height, he sometimes struggled to get leverage and played too high, ending in him getting stood up and pushed back by a lineman. His height also makes it harder for him to penetrate and blow up a running play.

 

Pass Rushing

Watt has an incredible first step and a powerful punch to knock blockers off balance and get by them with his quickness. He’s probably too tall and not flexible enough to bend around the edge to rush the passer, though. He’s better at taking smaller angles to get to the QB and using his quickness and strength to get there. Despite his quickness through the gaps and acceleration off the line, Watt lacks a burst to close which could make it harder for him to come by actual sacks in the NFL (but he should still pressure the QB plenty). He has a tremendous motor and gives it all on every play.

 

Awareness

On passing plays, Watt is very aware and also knows how to diagnose a screen play. On running plays, I saw a few times when he spent too much time watching the lineman instead of paying attention to where the ballcarrier was. This is something that can be corrected with coaching.

 

Hand Placement

Watt’s tremendous hand size and strength is one of the best aspects of his game and one of the things that makes him so intriguing. He never allows a lineman to lock on to him, always keeps his hands inside and keeps his hands moving and punching to shed a tackle.

 

JJ Watt

Additional Information

Watt transfered to UW-Madison from Central Michigan, where he played tight end. In his 1 year there he played in several games and caught 8 balls. That further shows his athletic ability and understanding of offensive concepts and playbooks. He redshirted at Wisconsin in 2008 and has started every game for the Badgers since (26 starts). In high schools he also lettered in baseball, basketball, and track and was a state champion in the shot put.

 

Production/Experience

2010: Started in 13/13 games
2009: Started in 13/13 games
2008: Redshirt
2007: (@CMU), played in all 14 games

 

Academics

Life Science Communication major

 

Awards & Honors

2010: Wisconsin Team Co-MVP. Lott Trophy Winner. 2nd Team All-American (AP & Sports Illustrated).

 

 

Career Stats
Year Tack Solo Asst Sack FF Int TD
2010 62 43 19 7 2 1 0
2009 44 32 12 4 0 0 0

 

 


Prospect Video Clips

 

 

 

 

Disagree with our scouting report? Think we’ve left something out? Maybe you’ve seen something we just haven’t. Thanks okay! Leave your own scouting report using the comments feature at the bottom of the page. We at Draft Breakdown value your opinion and we’d love to hear it. This feature is available on all of our scouting reports, articles and blogs. Help keep Draft Breakdown a one stop shop for all your NFL Draft needs!

 



Follow Rob Engle on Twitter

Both comments and pings are currently closed.


10 Responses to “Scouting Report: JJ Watt”


  1. Rich Malagon Says:

    March 12th, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    Overrated


  2. Draft Breakdown Says:

    March 12th, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    I don’t know about that. There are quite a few people in this draft I would say are overrated and I don’t think Watt is one of them. What do you see in his game that makes you think he’s overrated?


  3. Rich Malagon Says:

    March 12th, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    1st rounder but not a top 20 pick. I’ve watched as much video as I could find of JJ and I saw a big guy with a motor but not very strong. He also doesn’t have good hand technique to play in the position that the scouts are looking at him for which is the 5 tech in a 3-4. I don’t think he leverages himself well enough to be a 2 gapper in a system that isn’t already established. If he goes to a NYJ, PIT, BAL, he will learn from those who are there now but if he’s drafted by like a Houston, he’ll struggle for a while. His limited pass rushing moves, size and mobility are the things that got him this high so we’ll see. I’m not saying he’s not good just not as good as everyone is labeling him.


  4. Draft Breakdown Says:

    March 12th, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    Great analysis! I always love it when readers share their opinions…especially ones that obviously know what they’re talking about! I’d love to hear your opinion on our other scouting reports. Feel free to stop by the site and leave comments on individual articles, here on Facebook, or on the forums. We’re trying to build up the discussion and folks like you would really help that.

    As for Watt, I see what you’re saying. Going to a team that has been running the 3-4 for a while would be a better fit than with a team that is just now making the conversion.


  5. Rich Malagon Says:

    March 12th, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    The website is great because it has a video with an article so its easier to comment with facts.


  6. Draft Breakdown Says:

    March 14th, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    Thanks man! Aaron Aloysius works hard to make those videos. They’re a great resource!


  7. Rich Malagon Says:

    March 14th, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    Were does he get the film from?


  8. The Houston Texans Select……. | The PigskinReport.com Says:

    April 28th, 2011 at 9:13 pm

    [...] Here is a good breakdown of  Watt by DraftBreakdown.com JJ Watt has seen his stock soar after he quietly dominated the combine. Most people assumed he was only an average athlete coming into the combine, and after the combine shot up most draftniks boards. He put together a fairly dominating season at DE for the Badgers, and had his best performances in big games. He is scheme versatile and has the length, strength, athleticism, and hand quickness and ability to disengage from blockers you look for in a 3-4 end, and also the pass rushing abilities of a 4-3 end. Watt ultimately looks to be one of the safer defensive picks in the draft. [...]


  9. Texans Select JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin | Texans Bull Blog | Houston Texans Blog Says:

    April 28th, 2011 at 10:50 pm

    [...] is his breakdown from DraftBreakdown.com JJ Watt has seen his stock soar after he quietly dominated the combine. Most people assumed he was [...]


  10. Texans Select JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin | Football Blog Zone Says:

    May 5th, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    [...] is his breakdown from DraftBreakdown.com JJ Watt has seen his stock soar after he quietly dominated the combine. Most people assumed he was [...]


  11. Anonymous Says:

    at