I will continue to write freelance pieces outside of Wide Left and plan to link them here whenever they go live. Be sure to check out the latest. I did mention two Vikings, one as a player to highlight and another as an honorable mention.
Preview and link below.
Unranked by most draft analysts, Markees Watts didn’t even earn the attention of NFL evaluators – he didn’t sign with any team after the draft. Instead, he joined the Buccaneers by way of rookie tryouts, where dozens of rookies compete for a spot as an undrafted free agent to make the 90-man roster. The all-time sacks leader for the Charlotte 49ers made good on that initial impression, with a solid performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He primarily played on running downs, but earned two pressures – and more pass-rush wins – in his seven pass-rushing snaps. One of those pressures was a sack-fumble of Tanner Morgan late in the fourth quarter. Normally, a fourth-quarter performance in the first preseason game means going up against light competition, but it was first-round pick Broderick Jones that Watts did his work against.
Against the run, he was stout and earned a stop in the backfield while consistently holding the edge and helping others make plays. It was a great start to his career on a team that needs long-term edge rusher depth.