Prediction Lands 464-Pound Undrafted DT on Buccaneers 53-Man Roster

The main reason University of Florida defensive tackle Desmond Watson wasn’t selected in the 2025 NFL draft was concerns about his weight.

At 6-foot-5 and 464 pounds ahead of the draft, Watson was simply too big for teams to take a chance on with a draft pick, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers invested quickly in him as an undrafted free agent. That investment might be paying quick dividends.

ESPN’s 53-man roster prediction for the Buccaneers includes Watson among the 6 interior defensive linemen headed into training camp — a prediction that will rely heavily on Watson being able to keep his weight in check.

“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,” ESPN’s Jenna Laine wrote on July 22. “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.”

One thing Watson has going for him on the Buccaneers is a group of veterans on the interior defensive line who can help show him the way, including 2-time Pro Bowler Vita Vea — another massive human — and former first round pick Calijah Kancey.

Watson’s Signing Created Buzz Around NFL

Watson’s weight has varied since he weighed in at 464 pounds at Florida’s Pro Day — going from around 450 pounds to as low as 437 pounds.

Watson did the 225-pound bench press a staggering 36 times at Pro Day and ran the 40-yard dash in 5.86 seconds.

“There (are) times where I do basically starving and stuff like that,” Watson told USA Today’s Josh Peter before the draft. “And I would drop weight, of course, but I didn’t feel confident that way. I didn’t feel strong, I didn’t feel fast. I feel like right now is the best I felt with the process of losing weight.”

The heaviest player in NFL history is offensive tackle Aaron Gibson, a first round pick (No. 27 overall) by the Detroit Lions in the 1999 NFL draft who played at 6-foot-6 and 410 pounds at one point in his 6-year NFL career.

College Football Curiosity With Gators

Watson’s weight has been a constant talking point since the Plant City, Florida, native weighed in at 440 pounds when he enrolled at Florida in 2021.

Watson’s weight fluctuated wildly over his 4 seasons at Florida and he was down to as low as 400 pounds at one point. He had at least 20 tackles twice — in 2022 and 2024 — and became known for an 8-yard fumble return against South Carolina that went viral.

NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein had Watson projected as a priority free agent ahead of the draft.

“Watson can gather and occupy double-teams without losing his gap and is strong enough to shed single blocks fairly quickly,” Zierlein wrote. “However, he lacks consistency in attacking blocking schemes and controlling blockers with hand quickness as a two-gapper. Watson has the size and strength to play for an odd-front unit as a nose tackle but managing his weight will have to be a priority for the team that adds him.”