The San Diego Chargers selected former Wisconsin Badgers running back Derek Watt in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.
Watt blocked for running backs Montee Ball, Melvin Gordon and James White at Wisconsin. He will reunite with Gordon, who was San Diego's first-round pick last year.
Here is Watt's pre-draft STATS Inc. bio:
The last name automatically draws attention, and while that alone won't be enough to get Watt on an NFL roster, it almost certainly will pique the interest of teams. Watt is the younger brother of Houston Texans superstar defensive end J.J. Watt, but plays a different position and isn't in the same league athletically. Watt's primary position at Wisconsin was fullback, but his future in the NFL - if he has one - could hinge on his ability to contribute on special teams, particularly early in his career. Watt didn't carry the ball very often in college, finishing with 60 yards on 13 rushes and one touchdown in 47 games. He did play a more prominent role as a receiver in his senior season with 15 receptions for 139 yards. While Watt is not the prototypical crushing fullback that opens gaping holes, he is a skillful blocker who did a solid job creating space for Montee Ball, Melvin Gordon and James White at Wisconsin. He has the skills to excel on special teams after he was a second-team All-American high school linebacker, a position at which he started for the Badgers before making the transition to the backfield before the 2012 season. In an effort to prove his versatility, Watt lined up as a tight end and even did some long snapping at practice for the East-West Shrine game. A three-time All-Big Ten Academic All-American, Watt brings an exceptional football IQ and has the reputation of a tireless worker. With an ordinary last name, it's possible Watt would be forced to make a roster as an undrafted free agent, but his connection to one of the sporting world's marquee names should only help his stock and could make him a late-round selection.
