Can Nathaniel Watson help limit the opposing run in a similar way, if not better than what Sione Takitaki did?
linebacker unit has some new faces going into the 2024 season, and that includes draftee Nathaniel Watson out of Mississippi State. Statistically speaking, Watson was one of the nation’s more productive college linebackers, but the Butkus Award finalist was the 18th linebacker drafted in April, in the sixth round.
The face of the linebacker unit is Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and the Browns have brought in Jordan Hicks and Devin Bush to replace Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki , who left in free agency. Can Martin Emerson Jr. keep ascending? Why he is 1 of 15 keys to a Browns Super Bowl run in ‘24: Ashley BastockBrowns, Dustin Hopkins agree on 3-year contract extension through 2027, making him the NFL’s 5th-highest-paid kicker Takitaki, similar to Watson, came into the league off a productive collegiate career, but we didn’t know what to expect out of him coming out of BYU. It took time, but Takitaki grew from an early-down run stopper, to a player who improved in coverage and could be on the field on third downs, becoming an established NFL linebacker before our eyes.Takitaki recorded 113 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks through 13 games. He increased his draft stock with finishing 31st in the nation in total tackles. Among qualifying linebackers, Takitaki finished the regular season ranked 59th in overall run defensive grading , while still producing solid grades all around in overall defensive grading and pass rushing , per Pro Football Focus.said Takitaki played “every play like it could be his last, pursuit bursts with energy, usually plays with a proactive demeanor vs. run.” In terms of weaknesses, Zierlein said Takitaki could become “overly involved at point of attack... trapped inside by bigger tight ends and loses contain.”He only took part in 105 snaps, played in 15 games and recorded 21 tackles, 14 of which were solo. His strong suit was his 75.1 run-defense grading, while posting decent gradings in overall defense and tackling , per PPF.He started in 12 of his 15 games played and racked up 67 tackles and a sack. Takitaki had two big interceptions as well: a pick-six for 50 yards during a Week 11 win over Philadelphia; and one in the AFC wild card playoff game over Pittsburgh that sealed the win.Takitaki’s coverage grading was bad in his second season in 2020 . His coverage gradings would jump higher in the following seasons, including a 69.0 coverage grade during the 2023 season.Through 12 games, Watson totaled 137 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks. He finished ninth in both tackles and sacks, while also leading the entire Southeastern Conference in sacks. Among qualifying linebackers, Watson finished the regular season ranked eighth in overall tackle grading , while still producing solid grades all around in overall defensive grading and pass rushing , per PFF.he has a “good feel for getting home when operating as a blitzer...patient not to overcommit while reading and flowing to the football.” But in terms of weakness, Watson “loses ground when the pursuit extends in space...stacks blockers but is a step slow shedding them for tackles.”The one element Watson, going into his rookie year, is better than compared to Takitaki entering his rookie year, isWatson’s 137 tackles during his senior season came with a 5.4% missed tackle percentage, per PFF. Takitaki’s final college season came with 118 tackles, and a 16.7% missed tackle percentage. And though Takitaki would improve in that area as a starter with the Browns, his 2022 season is his only one with a single-digit missed tackle percentage .The area that pops out, and this is the case with most rookie NFL linebackers, is coverage. Sixteen receptions out of 21 targets were recorded in Watson’s peripheral, and he allowed 174 total yards after catches during the 2023 season. This translated to a 63.0 coverage grading, and this was the range he consistently graded in during his college tenure, per PFF.Watson has the tangibles to become a productive rookie, and he too can become a solid NFL linebacker like Takitaki did in Cleveland. It will take time in terms of polishing his skill set, including his presence in coverage and run defense. To Watson’s benefit, he’ll have solid veterans to learn from, and a defensive unit that can only make him better.Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER ; 789-7777 or ccpg.org ; 1-800-BETS-OFF ; 327-5050 or gamblinghelpline.org , mdgamblinghelp.org , 1800gambler.net If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visitIf you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our
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