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2024 NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Nakia Watson, RB, Washington State

Nakia Watson brings quality size, speed, toughness, and play strength to the running back position. He's a versatile player who will be one of the top Pac-12 RBs this fall.
Nakia Watson brings quality size, speed, toughness, and play strength to the running back position. He’s a versatile player who will be one of the top Pac-12 RBs this fall.

Player Data

Name, Jersey #Nakia Watson, #25
School (Code)WAST
DOB, Class YrN/A, 5th year Sr.
Height, Weight6000, 217
40 Yd Dash4.64e
Position/DepthRB, #1
Honors/Captainship2022 All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention
Season Viewed (yr)2022
Games Watched@CASC, @WAUN, IDUN, COST
Scout Name / DateRyan Vidales 7/26/23

Per Year Stats

202211 GP, 144 Car, 749 Rush Yds, 9 Rush TD, 30 Rec, 295 Rec Yds, 5 Rec TD
202113 GP, 36 Car, 114 Rush Yds
202014 GP, 53 Car, 191 Rush Yds, 2 Rush TD
20195 GP, 74 Car, 331 Rush Yds, 3 Rush TD, 3 Rec, 3 Rec Yds

Player Summary:

Former 4-Star recruit and 11th-ranked RB in the Class of 2018. Started career at Wisconsin before transferring to Washington State in 2021. Well-built with a sturdy frame and thick, muscular lower half. Possesses a proficient blend of speed, quickness, and power. High-level toughness, contact balance, and body control with the ball in his hands. Solid break tackle ability; Rarely gets tackled upon initial contact due to physical running style and high overall play strength. Capable of running between and outside the tackles. An instinctual runner with sharp vision to locate open running lanes. Boasts notable initial quickness to burst through the interior on inside runs or beat defenders to the edge. Decent twitch in open space. Can shake defenders in one-on-one situations but prefers to put a shoulder down to pick up extra yardage. Difficult to bring down once in the second level. However, lacks the top-end long speed to break away from defenders consistently. Possesses tons of value as a third-down back given his ball production as a pass-catcher. Strong ball skills, a well-developed RB route tree, and clean route-running technique. Patient, crafty route runner who attacks soft spots in zone coverage to get open. An effective weapon in the passing game if used correctly. Adequate pass blocker who became a more reliable blocker as the 2022 season progressed. Has the size, toughness, and physicality to improve as a pass blocker in 2023. Questionable durability given his lack of experience as a premier feature back. Also has some ball security concerns that require improvement before reaching the next level. Still, a physical, instinctual, and well-rounded prospect who should become one of the top running backs in the Pac-12 once again this season.

Scheme Fit:

Balanced running back who will contribute on passing downs and short-yardage running situations in a Spread or West Coast-based scheme.

Power Statement:

Brings quality size, speed, toughness, and play strength to the running back position. Versatile player with valuable pass-catching abilities out of the backfield.

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