TJ Watt is an intriguing draft prospect this year, and at least one scout compares him favorably to brother JJ at this stage of his career.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Bob McGinn has been unrolling his pre-draft articles and had one on Sunday about many local players in Wisconsin. One of the players included in the piece was TJ, who had 11.5 sacks for the Badgers last season.
McGinn quoted a few scouts for their opinions on Watt, including one who told the reporter that he put a higher draft grade on TJ than JJ.
“I gave him a higher grade than his brother (J.J.),” the scout told McGinn. “All he does is make plays. He’s Clay Matthews. Probably more explosive. I guess he’s learned pass-rush techniques from his brother. Uses his hands well.”
Much like JJ, TJ started off at tight end before switching to defense and becoming a dominant player.
JJ was selected No. 11 overall in the 2011 draft by the Texans. While that draft position doesn’t match how great Watt has become as a pro, it still shows one team thought he was good enough to be picked very highly. If Watt was taken 11th and this scout has a higher draft grade on TJ, then that says a lot about the younger Watt.
TJ is projected as a likely late-first or early-second round pick.
H/T CFB 24/7
