Buccaneers' plans for 449-pound Desmond Watson revealed at start of training camp

Billy Heyen

Buccaneers' plans for 449-pound Desmond Watson revealed at start of training camp image

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made headlines after the NFL Draft when they signed Desmond Watson as an undrafted free agent.

Watson is a defensive tackle out of Florida who was measured at 464 pounds heading into the draft.

Now, Watson his official measurements from the Bucs: 6-foot-6 and 449 pounds.

And with training camp underway, the big fella is trying to prove he belongs.

"The former Florida Gator signed with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent this offseason and became the heaviest player in NFL history -- with him being listed at 449 pounds at 6-foot-6," writes ESPN's Jenna Laine. "Their plans for him are very general at this point: Get him to a healthy playing weight and ensure he can stay there before carving out any type of role."

MORE: Micah Parsons risks temporary retirement, frozen contract if he leaves training camp

Watson wasn't invited to the NFL Combine, but he put up impressive numbers at his Pro Day for a man his size.

He can learn from a possible interior defensive line mentor, Vita Vea, who plays at about 350 pounds and is one of the best at his position in the NFL.

Watson's NFL journey is just beginning, and there's a long way still to go.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle