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Could this tampa bay buccaneers rookie defensive lineman be the answer to stopping the Philadelphia Eagles’ feared “tush -push” game?
Desmond Watson would have made NFL draft history as the heaviest player ever to be taken at 464 pounds with a 6-foot-6 frame, but BUCS quickly added him as one of their 15 incomprehensible free agent signatures.
He has been minted “The Tub Push Terminator” because of his ability to fill the line with review, and he was a sight to look at the team’s rookie mini stamp.
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Buccane’s nose tackle Desmond Watson under Rookie MiniCamp Friday, May 9, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Watson has already cut weight as he tries to make BUCS ‘list coming in at £ 437 for MiniCamp.
Before the draft, Watson discussed his understanding that he had to cut weight to realize his NFL dream.
He said that stopping to eat while he was driving has been a main reason why he got so much weight in his time with Florida Gators.
At 464 Pounds, Florida DT Desmond Watson sees weight loss as a path to NFL
“Stop while driving,” Watson said when asked about bad habits he has tried to throw on his pro day. “My biggest thing is to go on, get to the place I need to come. There are stores and a lot of temptations. It has helped me tremendously: Don’t go into the gas station. Pay at the pump. Because it’s inside it’s snacks and all types of things like that. Don’t pull over. If you’re on the highway, stay on the highway until you get where you have to go.”
The heaviest player in the NFL last season was the Baltimore Raven’s offensive tackle Daniel Faalele of 6-foot-8 and 380 pounds. And while there is no official record for the heaviest player in the NFL, many agree that former Chicago Bears Tackle Aaron Gibson, who weighs 410 pounds during his 1999-2004 career.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Nose Tackle Desmond Watson runs through an exercise at Rookie Minicamp on Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Watson said he is trying to eat better, especially when it comes to snacking. It has been peanuts and almonds recently, and his most important meals have also changed.
If Watson were to make BUCS ‘list, they would have quite a formidable defensive interior, especially with his role model, Vita Vea, which does what Rookie hopes to do in the NFL.
At 347 pounds, VEA’s athletics is a sight to look at the game day as he swallows quarterbacks and runs his back with his ability to penetrate the back field at the nose tackle.
Watson does not possess VEA’s athletics, but he can move for his size. He would also have set the NFL Combine Bench Press Record if he was present when he ran 225 pounds 36 times on Florida’s Pro Day.
Before the draft, Watson discussed his understanding that he had to cut weight to realize his NFL dream. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
And given TUSH-PUSH-expect NFL owners to discuss a potential ban on it later, this season-to have a duo like the one in the interior could be the antidote to defense that stops the short yardage game that teams are trying to repeat from Eagles.
Watson also hopes to play for the team he grew up near as he is from Plant City, located east of Tampa.
