Watford Solid At Combine

HARRISONBURG — Earl Watford had a solid showing at the NFL combine.

 

NFL.com projects the former James Madison offensive guard to be a mid-round pick in the April 25 draft. The website compared the 6-foot-3, 300-pounder to former Delaware lineman Gino Gradkowski, a 2011 All-Colonial Athletic Association first-teamer who was taken in the fourth round by Baltimore in 2012.

 

Watford earned a 68.1 rating out of 100 at the combine, which ended Tuesday. According to the NFL, that makes Watford a “draftable” player — probably somewhere in the fourth to seventh rounds — and one that could make a team as backup or role player. Players with a rating in the end of the 50-69 window were said to “long-term potential.”

 

Watford ran the 40-yard dash in 5.06 seconds, completed 24 bench-press repetitions at 225 pounds, and had a 30-inch vertical jump and 107.0-inch broad jump.

 

Although Watford was a Division I-AA All-American, NFL.com said his playing at college football’s second tier meant he had something to prove. His major weakness was that he played too tall, something that could hurt his leverage against quicker defenders.

 

Watford’s strengths were his athleticism, agility and ability to give and take a “strong punch” — a testament to his strength. It also said that Watford plays with a “nasty streak” and that he “brings any fight back to his opponent, and the some.”