Desmond Watson: Contract| Weight Loss| Was drafted| Draft

Introduction

Desmond Watson, a gigantic defensive tackle out of Florida Gators (NCAA) and later a rookie with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL, has been a topic of intrigue — not just for his on-field potential, but for his remarkable size, his contract path as an undrafted player, his weight-loss / conditioning journey, and how his draft and post-draft story played out.

This article dives into three core themes:

• The contract and professional signing of Watson.

• His weight-loss and conditioning challenges (and efforts).

• His draft experience (or more precisely, the lack of being drafted) and what it means for his career.

Contract: From Undrafted Free Agent to Buccaneers Signing

Despite a high-profile college career at Florida, Watson was not selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. According to his Wikipedia profile, he entered the 2025 draft year undrafted.

Signing with the Buccaneers

• After the draft, Watson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent.

• An article reported that he “lands Bucs contract after meeting team’s fitness requirements.”

• He was officially measured at 6-foot-6 and around 449 pounds when signing.

Contract Details & Conditions

• The exact terms of the contract (e.g., length, guaranteed money) are not fully disclosed in public reliable sources.

• What stands out is the conditioned nature of his signing: the team included fitness and weight benchmarks before full participation. For example, he spent training camp on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list due to weight concerns.

• This kind of contract path – undrafted, signed with bench-marks – is common for players with elite physical tools but some “rawness” or risk (in this case, conditioning).

Why This Contract Matters

• For Watson, being undrafted meant he had to prove his worth in the NFL without the luxury of being a drafted investment.

• The Buccaneers’ willingness to sign him despite the weight/conditioning risk shows they saw potential upside: a very large body with athleticism (more on that later).

• From a career development perspective, the contract emphasizes opportunity paired with accountability — he must meet team expectations to continue.

Weight Loss & Conditioning: A Key Storyline

One of the most discussed aspects of Watson’s journey is his weight, conditioning, and the associated challenges in transitioning to the NFL.

Size & College Numbers

• At Florida, Watson’s weight fluctuated: At enrollment, he weighed around 440 lbs.

• At his pro day, he weighed 464 pounds.

• He measured 6-foot-6 and 464 lbs when signing with Tampa Bay.

The Weight-Loss Drive

• Watson has publicly acknowledged that his size has been both a strength and a hurdle. In training camp, the Buccaneers placed him on the NFI list until he got his weight under control.

• One article noted: “Despite losing weight since his professional day, coaches have sidelined him until he meets fitness standards.”

• His weight when placed on NFI: around 449 lbs.

Why Weight Matters in the NFL

• For a defensive tackle, especially one as large as Watson, mobility, conditioning, and ability to stay healthy are paramount.

• A body weight of ~450 lbs or more poses challenges: stamina, joint stress, risk of injury, flexibility. NFL teams will often require conditioning benchmarks for such players.

• Watson’s size gives him a potential advantage in certain roles (e.g., run-stopping, occupying blockers) but also adds risk — thus the team’s caution.

The Narrative: From “Big Body” to Football Player

• Watson has expressed he doesn’t want to be known just for his size, but as a real football player.

• The public and media angle: watching whether Watson can transform his body while keeping the athletic tools remains a compelling element of his story.

Draft Experience: Undrafted, But Still a Chance

Pre-Draft Profile

• Coming out of college, Watson had unique physical traits: massive size, decent athleticism for his size. According to Wikipedia, he bench-pressed 225 pounds 36 times, ran a 5.95-second 40-yard dash, and had a 25-inch vertical jump.

• Yet, despite that, he was not selected in the 2025 draft. That may reflect concerns about conditioning, weight, technique, or other “refinement” needs.

Why Undrafted?

• NFL teams may have considered the risk too high given his size and required development.

• Size alone doesn’t guarantee draft status — readiness, role fit, durability matter.

• The combination of elite size + some questions made Watson a “project” more than a plug-and-play pick.

What Happens Next?

• Signing as an undrafted free agent gives a player like Watson a path — albeit tougher — to make a team.

• His contract (discussed above) shows that the Buccaneers believed in his upside.

• His success will depend on:

  1. Meeting conditioning/weight targets.

  2. Showing football productivity (tackles, run-stops, etc).

  3. Avoiding health or durability issues.

Looking Forward: What to Watch

As Watson progresses in his career, here are key things to monitor:

• Active roster status: Will he make the 53-man roster or practice squad? His contract gives him a chance, but the weight/conditioning factors are the gating factors.

• Weight trend & conditioning: Whether he can consistently maintain an ideal playing weight and show improved conditioning on the field — a major predictor of longevity.

• Productivity on field: When given snaps, how does he perform? Tackles, impact plays, run-stopping will help validate the physical tools.

• Health/injury profile: Larger players often have high wear-and-tear — how well he holds up will matter.

• Narrative shift: Moving from the “big body” angle to being known as a skilled, effective NFL defensive lineman.

Conclusion

Desmond Watson stands out not only for his remarkable size but for the intersection of opportunity and challenge he represents in professional football. His signing with the Buccaneers showcases the NFL willingness to bet on potential. His weight-loss and conditioning journey illustrate the personal and professional transformation required at the highest level. And his undrafted status underscores how even elite physical traits must be paired with readiness, durability, and technique for football success.

For Watson, the next chapters will be crucial: can he refine his body, embrace the grind, and translate size into sustainable performance? Only time will tell — but the storyline is compelling, and it’s one to follow.