Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Watson sees Jordy Nelson in his game

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 16: Graduates march into the University of Pennsylvania's 260th Commencement at Franklin Field on May 16, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 16: Graduates march into the University of Pennsylvania's 260th Commencement at Franklin Field on May 16, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) /
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What if I told you the Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the next Jordy Nelson in the 2018 NFL Draft?

If they did, his name is Justin Watson and he’s headed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by way of the University of Pennsylvania.

Of course, there’s one big difference in the two receivers already. While Nelson was drafted in the second-round of the 2008 NFL Draft from Kansas State, Watson had to wait until the fifth to hear his own name called.

Taking a look at his draft profile on NFL.com, Watson is credited with having athleticism and most of the key receiver characteristics you’d look for in a pro-caliber prospect.

Really, the big knock on him coming out is the level of competition he faced not playing in a Division 1A school.

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Coming out of high school Watson said the only offers he had were from Buffalo and Akron. Choosing the best combination of football and education, he chose Penn, but realized rather quickly he could have something going there.

Now, four years later, he’s a Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie. But what about this comparison to Nelson?

The former Packers receiver had spent the entirety of his ten-year career with the iconic franchise until this season. Now, he’ll suit up for Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders.

In his decade with Green Bay, Nelson played in all sixteen games six times, and only once played fewer than twelve.

He brought in double-digit touchdown catches three times and beginning in 2011 he never had fewer than six.

When asked about which NFL receiver reminded him of himself the most during his introductory conference call with the media, Watson said,

"“I think one that I compare pretty closely to is Jordy Nelson, especially early on in his career. I think athletically we are a pretty similar profile, we are both just crisp route-runners, no wasted movements. I don’t think when you look at his game or my game there’s any fancy moves at the top of my routes, at the beginning of the routes. I just run good, clean, consistent routes. I find a way to get open using my athletic ability.”"

Next: Early Roster Projections

Athleticism is something many who evaluated him have pointed to. The questions remaining are whether he’ll be able to get the same production at the pro level against pro cornerbacks or not.

Both men are 6’3” and hover right around 220 lbs. Nelson is turning 33-years old, has had a solid career in the NFL, and is likely coming into the final years of his career.

Watson is just getting started, and thanks to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ draft strategy, he’s going to have plenty of fresh NFL defensive backs to work against when rookie minicamp starts on May 11.

What do you think about the draft pick? Were you surprised the Bucs drafted a wide receiver? If so, how do you feel Watson can contribute now and in the future?

Head down to the comments or move over to social media to join the conversation!

David Harrison is one of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Co-Experts for The Pewter Plank. You can reach him about this or any other NFL topic on Facebook, or on Twitter.