Jason Watkins might not have heard his name called in the two days of the NFL Draft which concluded Sunday but that doesn’t mean there weren’t a number of teams interested in the 6-6, 318-pound right tackle who started two straight seasons for the Florida Gators.
Starting with the fifth round Sunday afternoon, Watkins cell phone was flooded with calls as 17 teams offered him a chance to sign as an undrafted free agent.
“Teams let me know they were interested in the middle of the day,” Watkins said Tuesday. “Just the fact that they were calling made my mom smile after a stressful day, and that made it all worth it.”
Money was certainly a factor for Watkins in making his decision to sign with the Houston Texans, but more than that, he wanted to go to a place where he could compete and get on the final 53-man roster.
For many players turning pro, being an undrafted free agent is a better prospect than being selected in the sixth or seventh rounds because it allows the player a chance to choose where to play. Watkins decided on the Texans for a few reasons.
“When I looked at the depth chart, it seemed like it was the best opportunity for me to fit in,” Watkins said. “They have a zone blocking scheme, which I love, and I’m just really looking forward to it.”
Watkins had a strong senior season as Florida’s starting right tackle, assigned to the task of protection All-America quarterback Tim Tebow’s blindside. While the Gators racked up huge offensive numbers, they did it out of a spread offense and that had something to do with Watkins being overlooked in the draft. The nuances of the tackle position are different in a spread than in power formations with a quarterback under center. Teammate Phil Trautwein, who started two years at left tackle, also went undrafted and he has since signed with the St. Louis Rams.
“I can’t really explain how the process goes,” Watkins said, “but you never know where you’ll be drafted. I don’t think it was anything against the Gators, but we do run a different offense than NFL teams.”
He had already heard from several teams and by the time the Texans came calling, his agent and he juggling the phone calls. A few representatives talked to him before head coach Gary Kubiak got on the line and offered him a contract.
The call was especially a surprise because he didn’t have visits or private workouts with any Texans’ coaches or scouts in the pre-draft process.
“The phone was ringing back and forth and it was non-stop, so it was a blur,” Watkins said. “It was all planned out for them, but it wasn’t for me.”
Now Watkins will have a couple of weeks to get ready for the biggest battle of his football career. Undrafted free agents very seldom make the final cuts and are no locks for practice squads either.
His plan is to report on May 17 and give it his best. This is his last chance.
“I’m going to work too hard to be cut,” Watkins said. “I’ve got a point to prove to everyone. I’ve got a little chip on my shoulder, and I’m going to make sure I make this roster.”