PREPS ALCOVE

Preps Alcove: Mock drafts see TJ Watt as potential late first-rounder

JR Radcliffe
jr.radcliffe@jrn.com

The 2017 NFL Draft doesn't arrive until April 27, but the season of talent evaluation began long ago. Pewaukee's TJ Watt, who will almost certainly become the third member of his family to wear an NFL jersey, could hear his name called that Thursday night, reserved for the first 32 selections (first round).

Older brother JJ, of course, was taken 11th overall by the Houston Texans in the 2011 draft. Middle brother Derek was taken in the sixth round by the San Diego Chargers in 2016. Like his oldest brother, TJ left college at the University of Wisconsin after his junior year and is a surefire bet to hear his name called at some point.

Take a look at some relatively current mock draft projections:

NFL.com: Three of the four mock draft analysts on the site see Watt as a late first-round selection. Both Bucky Brooks (updated March 20) and Daniel Jeremiah (March 13) see him getting taken by the Atlanta Falcons with the 31st selection. The reigning NFC champion is looking for talent along the defensive line, and Watt's ability to rush the passer may prove attractive, though Atlanta also needs an offensive guard.

Charley Casserly (March 7) sees Watt getting taken No. 29 by — you guessed it — the Green Bay Packers. The connection between Watt and the hometown team will surely be a topic of discussion in these final weeks before the draft, but unsurprisingly, there is zero consensus on what the Packers might do with that pick. As an example, the four NFL.com analysts each took a player at a different position: running back Christian McCaffrey of Stanford, defensive end Taco Charlton of Michigan, Watt and offensive guard Forrest Lamp of Western Kentucky. And yet, we can all agree the secondary could use a body or two. History certainly indicates that general manager Ted Thompson will keep his cards close to the vest and not view a hometown connection as a factor in the decision-making process.

Bleacher Report: This is another outlet that sees a connection between Watt and the Packers at 29.

"The addition of Watt would allow the Packers to use (Clay) Matthews in a variety of ways without pigeonholing him into a specific position," says the article, penned by Brent Sobelski.

Walterfootball.com: Another match between Watt and the Falcons at 31. "He is good at setting the edge in run defense and also is a terror in the pass rush off the edge. Watt recorded 63 tackles with 15.5 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks, four passes batted and two forced fumbles in 2016. The 6-foot-4, 252-pounder could be even better as he gains experience."

CBS Sportsline: Rob Rang's March 20 mock draft does not have TJ Watt in the first round.

ESPN: In their most recent mock drafts, neither Todd McShay or Mel Kiper felt Watt would be taken in the first round, though Kiper has gone on record saying Watt's strong performance at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis makes him a quality candidate to hear his name in the first round, so long as his medical profile checks out.

Workouts have helped

For comparison's sake, JJ made a late move into the first round, as well, and by April was seen as a player who could be taken largely between picks 10 and 20. He's been seen in the mid to late 20s when he declared in January.

The NFL official Twitter account posted a simulcam video that shows TJ running the 40-yard dash "against" JJ ... and the younger Watt finished with a better time.

Popular Packers web site Acme Packing Company points out that TJ's workout profile at the combine relates closely to Matthews after his final year at USC. The site published a chart that showed the similarities in most drills.

"Those workouts are remarkably similar, and it is impressive that Watt posted slightly better numbers in every drill (except for the 40) while carrying an extra 12 pounds," pens Evan Western. "Again, this does not mean that the two will end up having similar careers, nor does it mean that their playing styles are necessarily similar. For the latter, we’ll need to go to the tape for a breakdown, and for the former, we’ll need to wait a few years to judge the youngest Watt brother. Still, the physical traits that made Matthews a feared pass-rusher early on in his career are present in Watt as well."

Wisconsin in the draft

If Watt does hear his name in the first round, he's likely to be the second Badger selected. Offensive lineman Ryan Ramczyk (Stevens Point) has made the journey from a Division III player at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to an All-American at Madison and first-round draft choice.

Linebacker Vince Biegel (Wisconsin Rapids) is also among the Badgers who will likely get taken in the draft, and Leo Musso (Waunakee) has an outside shot at safety, as does Dare Ogunbowale (Marquette) at running back.

Levon Myers (Franklin) of Northern Illinois, an offensive tackle, is among the fringe candidates to get drafted in the late round.