Just because a player doesn’t get drafted doesn’t mean that they can’t make it in the NFL. There have been plenty of success stories from undrafted free agents who hit it big in the league. This includes the likes of Kurt Warner, Tony Romo, Warren Moon, Austin Ekeler, Wes Welker, and John Randle, among others. Undrafted free agents can become major difference-makers for teams if they find the right situation for themselves and make the 53-man roster. The Denver Broncos may be the right situation for Memphis running back Blake Watson.
Blake Watson, Running Back, Memphis
On paper, it may seem like the Broncos’ running back room is crowded. Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine held down the top two spots there last season. Another undrafted free agent, Jaleel McLaughlin, shined with the opportunities he was presented with. Denver also drafted Notre Dame back Audric Estime in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
It’s a loaded room, but Blake Watson has a path to make the roster over at least one of these guys for multiple reasons. For one, Watson was outstanding and versatile during his time at Old Dominion and Memphis. During his final three collegiate seasons, Watson averaged 5.6 yards per carry, totaled 3,195 rushing yards, and scored 27 touchdowns in that span.
Watson was also outstanding in the receiving game. In that same span, he racked up 100 receptions for 849 yards and added six more scores. For comparison’s sake, Estime, while more efficient on the ground than Watson, only caught 26 passes in three seasons at South Bend.
Watson wound up averaging 103.5 rushing yards and 39.7 receiving yards per game over his final 20 games. That was about the same marks as what Texas’ Jonathon Brooks put up last season. Brooks was the first running back to be drafted in this year’s draft.
Watson was an efficiency machine in part because of his ability to make defenders miss and create extra yards. He forced a missed tackle on about 39.3% of his touches, which is the second-best number from a Group of Five running back since 2014. He also averages 4.67 yards after contact, which is a mark that looks very similar to other running backs from Group of Five schools who made it big in the NFL. The film backs those numbers up.
The Situation
It’s clear that Blake Watson can play and has the skill level to stick in the league. But can he carve a spot on Denver’s roster? He has a lot of work to do to prove to the Broncos’ coaching staff he’s deserving, but the situation in Denver gives him a chance to do so.
The Broncos clearly believe in his talent because not only did they sign him after drafting Estime, but they gave him a lot of money. Watson got $275,000 in guaranteed money to sign with the Broncos, which is the most any undrafted free agent got at the time of his signing.
Speaking of money, Denver can keep some by dumping one of their other backs. Denver can save $3 million if they waive Perine during the offseason. For a team that ate an $80 million cap hit when they waived Russell Wilson a few months ago, that extra bit of cash can come in handy down the road.
Also, Javonte Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He did not look like the same player last season in his first coming back from his torn ACL. He averaged just 3.6 yards per carry and 4.9 yards per reception. Considering Perine’s averages were 4.5 and 9.1 and McLaughlin’s were 5.4 and 5.2, the state of Denver’s offense can’t be all to blame for his struggles.
The present and future of Denver’s backfield is in flux at the moment. It’s not impossible that Watson can outperform everybody in this room. He was outstanding in college and has arguably the best three-down skillset than anybody on the team. He’s someone to monitor. Watson can not only make this team but carve a big role for himself after doing so.
