Justin Watson

in our view

Watson will face an adjustment vs. NFL competition, but with his athleticism and make-up, he is fully capable of developing into a productive pro.

strengths

Tall, rangy athlete with rocked-up muscle definition…skilled pacing for a long-strider to stack cornerbacks on vertical routes…excellent track-and-adjust skills…maintains focus through the catch and one-handed grabs are routine for him…comfortable making grab over defensive backs…uses subtle push-offs downfield to create late separation without making it obvious…sterling intangibles with first-class character and work habits…productive go-to threat, accounting for 47.6% of Penn’s total catches in 2017, the highest percentage of any receiver in the FBS or FCS…does some of his best work when the field shrinks in the red zone, becoming the first Ivy Leaguer to record a touchdown catch in every game in a season (2017)…set the Penn career receiving records for catches (286), receiving yards (3,777) and touchdown receptions (33).

weaknesses

Speed is more build-up than instant…only average start/stop movements…comes off the line of scrimmage tall and play strength will be tested vs. the jam…looks comfortable in a crowd, but needs to better gain body position vs. defenders…allows some balls into his body…needs added route refinement to expand his catalogue of patterns…much better before and at the catch point rather than after with limited make-you-miss as a ballcarrier…thrived in a conference not known for producing NFL defensive talent.

South Fayette HS: Lettered three years in football and served as team captain as a senior

Named first-team all-state and all-conference as a senior

Set league records with 1,568 receiving yards and 22 touchdown receptions in a season (2013), which placed him fourth and third in state history in those categories, respectively

Selected as 2013 Almanac MVP

Named to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 22, Observer Reporter Elite 11 and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette West Fabulous 22 as a senior

Selected to 2014 Big 33 All Star Game

Named to 2013 All-Academic Gold team by Pennsylvania Football News

Member of the winningest class in South Fayette history at 49-6, including 27-1 over his final two seasons with a perfect 16-0 record en route to the 2013 state championship

Also won three conference titles and two district championships

Also lettered three years in basketball and served as captain as a senior.

Personal: Son of Terri and Doug Watson

Enrolled in Wharton.