Assessing the Watkins situation
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Assessing the Watkins situation
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The wait is over.
Eagles first-round pick Danny Watkins will make his first career start Sunday against the Bills, according to Geoff Mosher of The Wilmington News-Journal.
Watkins, the 23rd selection in April's draft, has been inactive in three of four games. But that will reportedly change when he replaces Kyle DeVan as the Eagles look to win their first game since the opener.
As I wrote in Man Up on Tuesday, DeVan really struggled in the second half of Sunday's loss to the 49ers, although he wasn't alone. The line as a whole did not play well and had trouble with San Francisco's talented front seven.
Overall, DeVan has had ups and downs in four games, which was to be expected. His best game was probably Week 2 against the Falcons, but he has been the Eagles' most inconsistent lineman.
Having said that, the move comes as a bit of a surprise, only because we have no idea if Watkins is ready.
How much can a guy improve during the week if he's not playing on Sundays? We'll find out the answer to that question soon enough.
After holding out during the start of training camp, Watkins took over as the starting right guard, but struggled in the preseason. Given that he turns 27 in November, I was one of many who assumed Watkins would be on the field right away.
But that didn't happen. And while the shortened offseason was a factor, Watkins is in the minority when you compare him to first-round picks around the league.
I took a look at snap counts from Pro Football Focus. Here's a chart of how much each first-round pick has played so far this season:
| Pick | Player |
Position |
Team |
Snaps |
| 1 | Cam Newton | QB | Panthers | 296 |
| 2 | Von Miller | LB | Broncos | 245 |
| 3 | Marcell Dareus | DL | Bills | 189 |
| 4 | A.J. Green | WR | Bengals | 247 |
| 5 | Patrick Peterson | CB | Cardinals | 226 |
| 6 | Julio Jones | WR | Falcons | 247 |
| 7 | Aldon Smith | DL | 49ers | 110 |
| 8 | Jake Locker | QB | Titans | 6 |
| 9 | Tyron Smith | OL | Cowboys | 288 |
| 10 | Blaine Gabbert | QB | Jaguars | 145 |
| 11 | J.J. Watt | DL | Texans | 216 |
| 12 | Christian Ponder | QB | Vikings | 0 |
| 13 | Nick Fairley | DL | Lions | 0 |
| 14 | Robert Quinn | DL | Rams | 140 |
| 15 | Mike Pouncey | OL | Dolphins | 270 |
| 16 | Ryan Kerrigan | DL | Redskins | 252 |
| 17 | Nate Solder | OL | Patriots | 249 |
| 18 | Corey Liuget | DL | Chargers | 101 |
| 19 | Prince Amukamara | CB | Giants | 0 |
| 20 | Adrian Clayborn | DL | Bucs | 166 |
| 21 | Phil Taylor | DL | Browns | 172 |
| 22 | Anthony Castonzo | OL | Colts | 200 |
| 23 | Danny Watkins | OL | Eagles | 0 |
| 24 | Cameron Jordan | DL | Saints | 136 |
| 25 | James Carpenter | OL | Seahawks | 247 |
| 26 | Jonathan Baldwin | WR | Chiefs | 0 |
| 27 | Jimmy Smith | CB | Ravens | 0 |
| 28 | Mark Ingram | RB | Saints | 90 |
| 29 | Gabe Carimi | OL | Bears | 100 |
| 30 | Muhammad Wilkerson | DL | Jets | 140 |
| 31 | Cam Heyward | DL | Steelers | 47 |
| 32 | Derek Sherrod | OL | Packers | 7 |
What stands out here? At first glance, it looks like Watkins has company. Ponder, Fairley, Amukamara, Baldwin and J. Smith have also seen no action this season.
But there's a catch. Ponder is a quarterback playing behind Donovan McNabb, so his situation is different. And the other four guys haven't been on the field because of injuries. In other words, Watkins is the only healthy, non-quarterback who hasn't played at all.
There were seven other offensive linemen taken in the first round: Tyron Smith, Mike Pouncey, Nate Solder, Anthony Castonzo, James Carpenter, Gabe Carimi and Derek Sherrod.
Six of them - Smith, Pouncey, Solder, Castonzo, Carpenter and Carimi - have all started when healthy. Watkins has company in Sherrod, who was the final pick in the first round. He was in contention for a starting spot but has only been active for one of the Packers' four games.
Within the NFC East, Tyron Smith is reportedly making a name for himself in Dallas. And Ryan Kerrigan was named rookie of the month in September. He has 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception and a touchdown in four games with the Redskins. Amukamara, meanwhile, has been sidelined with an injury.
In other words, other teams are not using the lockout or the shortened offseason as an excuse for their first-round picks not being on the field. Just last week, we saw 49ers rookie Aldon Smith give the Eagles all kinds of problems with 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hits.
Watkins has been waiting. He was given a chance to win the starting job in the preseason, but couldn't hold on to it. Now he gets another shot.
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Another wasted 1st round pick......— Zfromtheoc
Comment removed.- This moves stinks of desperation. Adding another unproven rookie to an already inexperienced offensive line is not going to help matters. Isn't the whole goal to make the o-line a cohesive unit? And doesn't that only happen if you have the SAME guys playing consistently?— iamkingdunlap
Of the other starting OL picks, every other one either is in the warm cocoon of an established winner, or playing for a train wreck.
We will see where Danny falls.- With watkins, herrimann, and the better blocking they are getting from their tight ends, look for eagles to run to their right aganist bills— camasbud
- kind of blows a hole in the "he's nfl ready" reasoning for drafting a 26 year old... idiots making idiotic decisions. and the really sad part; he was beaten out by a guy CUT from another team, what does that say about how good devan really is.
domino: so are you saying the eagles aren't a "warm cocoon of an established winner"? - Comment removed.
- The Eagles were definitely going to pick an OL. The best guy to compare him to is Carimi who was available and widely expected to be the Eagles pick. He has played 100 snaps. Not only that, but he is at least three years younger and will be available to the Bears for a longer career. This is another example trying to be so smart he is stupid.— Bama
- Somebody should do one for second round picks....']['— lacboi
Shiel you are comparing this guy to LB's, DL's and OL's who don't have to learn Mudd's system and a new position. Sure I can understand the OL's but the offenses they play in is no where close to what Mudd wants out of his guards. I think you are judging Watkins unfairly.- He has never started an NFL game and it is already a wasted pick?
The offense is good but they will need to be better to compensate for the pathetic defense. If they cannot run the ball they cannot control the clock. They need TD in the red zone!
If he plays at a high level they can still make the playoffs. If the line doesn't start playing better they won't be playing in January and lets use this season to learn.— willbert31 - how dare ppl question andy reid draft genius all of his picks are great for the candian league...— teebone40
B-U-S-T.
While everybody agrees that the draft isn't an exact science and mistakes are bound to happen, the Birds have had way too many mistakes and frankly, I'm surprised that they've been able to mask their deficiencies for this long.
I can count on two hands the good players that Andy and Co have drafted in the past 13 years while I'd need an abacus to count the misses.
That said, Watkins had no business being drafted on a team with Super Bowl expectations UNLESS they were planning for the future and not the present.- desperate move by a desperate coach....— psualum
- Comment removed.
- Ah... but none of the other first rounders are playing for Andy Reid.....— 50_buick
- I'll say it again, why will the media not hunt down Lurie and ask him what he feels. Is he untouchable to the media? I mean he has to pay all these stiffs. Why have we not heard from the man who pays the bills. I would love to hear how he feels about this. Hey Sheil, make it happen. Be the first reporter to actually interview the owner!!!— kchaz
- Move herremans back to left guard... install Jammal jackson at center... get half the line beefed up. Line up Tight end on the right side to block and put shady or schmitt in backfield on right side to provide the extra blocker.... how hard is that? MIke will have comfort knowing his strong side has solid players in front and the extra help on the right side will at least be addressed.— 1st and goal
- The Eagles want to run the ball against Buffalo. They've lost their best OL, Jason Peters, and with that the ability to run left.
Hence they're now pairing Watkins with Herremans on the right side, looking to get some explosive push in the running game.
Hope it works. I have a hunch that it will.— FishFryFrank - How can you call a guy a bust after 4 games? Just because he hasn't played yet doesn't mean he's a bust. His time has been spent learning, watching and talking with Mudd to understand the scheme will work in his benefit. I would rather a guy with potential learn and then play than for a guy who doesn't understand it yet play and get someone injured. Watkins will show you all what he's made of and the Eagles get on that roll so the true fans can comment and all you fair weather fans can go away.
- TNEaglesFan, I guess you know that you don't seem to fit in here. Your sane rational approach is not very popular. To be a typical blogger here you have to have a big mouth, a small brain and very litle knowledge of real football. "madden" is not real football!— OldBill1934
- Eagles could not have had any of the OL drafted before them, so only fair to compare to the 3 after. Still not good, 2 out of 3 have played more than 7 snaps.— P Even
- The Eagles pride themselves on thinking outside the box. Man, I wish they would get back in the box, already.— riles1875
- @ TNEaglesfan - keep drinking the kool-aid and the Eagles will send you a free shroud.
I take that back - they'll charge you $49.95 for it and it'll be of subpar quality.— PinkstonsStrengthCoach - There's a lot of sharp criticizem about the play of the Eagles offensive line, but of late this line has played pretty good with the exception that the Eagles don't have push in the red zone for rushing yards. This kid, Watkins has the potential to provide that additional push needed.
I don't know if anyone is watching but the Eagles linemen are getting out onto the next level and in some cases with hustle, some of the linemen are leading plays 25 and 30 yards down field. Watching closely, I don't think any of the Eagles Linemen have attitude and instincts to protect their smaller skilled players from acts of intimidation and defenses bullying tactics.
It would be good for one of the linemen to punch an assiliant in the mouth and take a disqualification for the team, to set the tone.
— Dexter - Don't forget that he's only had, what, 3 years of football experience? The real reason he's not ready is that he has played less football than most incoming freshmen to DI programs.— phillipkatz
- great job andy, another wasted draft pick, years and years worth, you have depleted the roster with your stupidity— tooltime
- While I NEVER thought this was a Superbowl team, I thought with all the new faces we'd be a 10 or 11 win playoff team. WOW! I KNEW the line was going to be a major problem, but all the writers and pundits seem to agree that while not GOOD, they are at least "decent". If they can get the defense to stop being LOUSY.....maybe Andy can salvage a 9-8 season.— TBear
- Nobody remembers Nick Cole or Max Jean Gillis? They needed a RG in the worst way...now whether Watkins is that guy remains to be seen, but they needed to address that position some time ago.— drbob1
- I guess if you're going to lose, Andy wants to lose with his top draft choice playing. That way Reid can say Watkin's is a starter and he was right for drafting a 27 yr old Canadian firefighter that took up football as a hobby (2 steps back, 1 step forward). I'm sure Howie the Accountant is searching the nations universities for that 2012 hidden gem, the non-american football hobbiest. Keep it going guys!— younged
- At least if someone has a heart attack on the field, he knows CPR.— J H
- rookie lineman, new oline coach with new system, new lineup of players AND no offseason to teach and mesh.... no big surprise he was not ready until now... how will he do? Time wil tell, but NO way can you cal him a bust or a bad pick at this point.— dennismithusa
- Okay fine, but I am sure that none of these other draft picks have high motors.— charlievhenry
- boy 100 years old and still not ready.
WOOT!
— depressed - carimi was the obvious pick at OL. if you have a brain and functioning eyes that is.— snakeplissken
- yep.......let's compare him to the first OL taken with the 9th pick
and a defensive player taken with the 16th pick. Let's ignore the Packers first pick has only played 7 snaps and Carimi has only played half the time.— bleedgreen - I think Watkins is taking an unfair amount of criticism here. It's not his fault that he was drafted where he was drafted. I think in the long run he will be good and will be revered around here. He is a prototypical "Philly guy." He isn't arrogant, he doesn't have an attitude, he is eager to learn, he works hard, and he wants to succeed. You have to fault Reid or the front office for the pick not Watkins. The main problem with the pick is that he was not ready to play and this was supposed to be an all-in year. Also, in regard to drafting, I would love to have Earl Thomas, Sean Lee, and Navorro Bowman rather than Graham, Allen, and Te'o-Nesheim, but complaining isn't going to suddenly make those guys appear on this team.— Penfold18
- I'm with you kchaz. I wanna hear what ol' Limp-wrist has to say also. I bet he's hiding somewhere under his solid mahogony executive desk playing the Boston Red Sox on XBox 360 with Major League Baseball 2K11.— essell
- This whole draft seems like a waste already, I know its early but the front office doesn't get the benefit of the doubt now after the last couple of years. But one thing is for sure after looking the this impressive list is that the eagles can't draft for $^!+.— FROM THE BEACH
- Not saying it was a great pick, but you can't compare him against those drafted ahead of him. Who is to say the Eagles would not have drafted that person if still available. Time will tell.— Why?
- If you've watched the games and seen how DeVan has played, you would know that Watkins can't be that much worse and has (hopefully) the potential to be better.
I also agree with one of the other posters that Jamaal Jackson needs to play center. If you love Kelce so much, move him to LG. Am I really to believe that Jackson isn't one of the five best OL on the team? Oh, how AR loves to prove what a genius he is with his out of the box thinking!
Also, I don't understand why the #2 pick gets a pass from this criticism, since the safety play has been terrible. You mean the guy you totally reached for in the second round can't beat out Paige at SS? It would be nice to see a safety actually tackle somebody.— dlivesay - Jamal Jackson was never rated better than 18th of the 32 centers at any given time before 2009, and in 2009 with Jackson as the center, the Eagles allowed 40 sacks of their quarterback. Ranking 20th in the leagues.
When running the ball the Eagles were ranked 18th when running up the middle and 3rd over the left tackle, as a measure of comparison.
Can anyone now make a case why Jackson is still in the NFL?
— Dexter - Okay say it with me... And with the 5th pick in the draft the Philadelphia Eagles...— paulNC
- the eagles don't give a sheil. they are smarter than you.— brucemines
- Sheil you imply that Watkins didn't start because he was in some way a lesser talent... How many of those players with starts had a rookie playing next to them ?... Not like u to denigrate players and create more hype to this article... Yea negativity sells . Go EAGLES.— trinieagle
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