If there’s one thing the upcoming NFL Draft is teaching us, it’s that size still matters in football — maybe now more than ever. 

Right now, there’s major buzz around Desmond Watson, a 464-pound defensive tackle out of the University of Florida. That’s not a typo. At 464, he’s on track to become the heaviest player ever to get his name called on draft day. Considering the NFL’s history is filled with some enormous athletes, this guy’s measurements feel like something out of a video game.

Watson’s size has always made him stand out, but his Pro Day really turned up the volume. Now he’s gone from a big dude playing college ball to a legit storyline heading into the draft. The big question teams are trying to answer: Can you take a chance on a 464-pound defensive tackle, or is that just too much to manage?

How Big Is Big? Watson vs. the NFL’s Biggest Ever

Before we get too deep into what makes Watson such a wild outlier, it’s worth zooming out for a second. He’s not the first big man to try and make it in the NFL — he just happens to be the biggest of them all. Let’s take a look at how his size stacks up against the other massive dudes who’ve come before him. 

You’ve got offensive linemen like Trent Brown and Daniel Faalele, both of whom weighed around 380 pounds when they entered the league. That’s already massive, but it’s still almost 100 pounds shy of Watson’s current weight.

Then there’s Aaron Gibson, who actually recorded NFL snaps at around 410 pounds for the Chicago Bears. Even by that standard, Watson would be topping him by nearly 60 pounds. If he’s selected on draft day, he’ll officially be the first player in league history to tip the scales above 400 at the time of his drafting. 

A Big Man With Big Numbers

When you’re that big, all eyes are on your Pro Day. Watson’s weigh-in came back at 464 pounds — 15 pounds heavier than his already impressive listing of 449 for the 2024 season. Keep in mind, he’s been on an uphill climb since he was around 385 pounds as a freshman in 2021. That might sound like a red flag, but it didn’t stop him from putting up some head-turning numbers during workouts.

First, he punched out 36 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds. That alone would have beaten anyone who showed up at this year’s NFL Combine, surpassing the top mark by three full reps. His 40-yard dash came in at 5.93 seconds, which, let’s be honest, isn’t exactly blazing. But you have to consider we’re talking about a man who weighs almost as much as a vending machine stocked with dumbbells. That 5.93 looks a whole lot different coming from him than it does a 260-pound edge rusher.

His vertical leap? 25 inches. That might not sound like much compared to, say, a wide receiver, but let’s put it in perspective: if you can get over two feet off the ground while carrying over 460 pounds, you’ve got some serious lower-body power. 

The Gamble Teams Have to Consider

Now, the NFL Scouting Combine can be a big stage for players looking to boost their draft stock, but Watson never got an invite — definitely a curveball for a guy whose primary calling card is his size. 

Instead, he had to rely on his Pro Day to show teams what he can do. In some ways, that might’ve been a blessing. He got to showcase his impressive bench-press and at least give scouts a sense of what a 464-pound defensive tackle looks like in drills.

Of course, being that heavy isn’t all sunshine and roses. Yes, it makes him a nightmare to block in the middle of the line — there are few offensive linemen who can handle a 464-pound bull rush. But you also have to consider conditioning, stamina, and long-term durability. 

There were whispers that he looked winded at his Pro Day, and that’s a fair concern. NFL teams will worry about whether he can stay on the field for more than a handful of snaps at a time.

On top of that, Watson’s college production wasn’t overwhelming. Scouts want to see a big man who can be consistently disruptive. So the gamble for any team that might draft him is figuring out if he can keep the weight under control, build up his endurance, and translate that brute strength into real-world production week after week.

The Undrafted Path

Let’s say nobody calls his name on draft day — he’s still an interesting option as a free agent. When you’re this big and strong, there’s always a coach out there who’ll wonder if you’re worth developing. Especially in a league where nose tackles and run stuffers have carved out roles for themselves on the right defenses. If you’re a team that needs a massive anchor in the middle, you might take a chance on him late in the draft or right after it wraps up.

Regardless of his draft status, Watson’s combination of size and natural strength will keep him on someone’s radar. Sure, he might be a project, but the upside is huge (no pun intended). If you can coach him up, manage his weight, and turn him into a reliable gap-plugger, he could become a genuine asset.