NFL Draft: Top Ten Denver Broncos Draft Busts - #7 Darius Watts

by John Bena on Apr 7, 2011 2:30 PM MDT in 2011 NFL Draft Coverage

The Denver Broncos have had their share of ups and downs in the NFL Draft. Over the next few weeks, we'll look at the highest of highs and lowest of lows. We'll start with the Top-10 Draft Busts in Broncos history, followed by the Top-10 Draft picks in team history. Agree or disagree, this will help us pass the time as we march full-steam ahead towards the 2011 NFL Draft.

We move on to #7, but before we talk about the next bust on the list please keep in mind a couple of things. First, this is completely subjective. There is no right or wrong list, and we each have our own definition of a 'bust'. This list will obviously have a ton of influence from the Dan Reeves/Mike Shanahan eras as well. They were, afterall, running the Broncos for nearly half of the team's history. Lastly, the NFL Draft has taken on a life of its own. It is hard to compare a player selected in 1971 with one selected in 2004 because the scouting of players now is completely different than it was back then. Teams spend millions on scouting departments whose single-mission is to get it right in the Draft.

That's my opinion, however. I would love to for all of you to create your own lists! That's what MHR is all about!

#7 - Darius Watts, WR - Marshall(2004, 2nd Round, #54 Overall)

Watts was another attempt at a wide receiver to put alongside Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie, who was drafted in the 1st Round of the 2002 Draft. The Broncos had been searching for a #3 receiver for years(another one of those busts is coming up later in the list) and Watts was expected to become the guy. He had broken many of Randy Moss' records at Marshall and there were high hopes.

The Broncos overlooked one key attribute a receiver needs - he couldn't catch the ball.

Things started off well for Watts as a rookie when he played in all 16 games, making 31 receptions for 385 yards and a touchdown. It didn't last, however, and Watts inability to hold onto the football cost him in 2005 when he appeared in just 2 games and was inactive for the final 10 games of the season. The Broncos cut ties with Watts for good during the preseason in 2006.

His totals as a Denver Broncos receiver? 33 catches, 407 yards and 1 touchdown. After spending time with the New York Giants, Watts won an ArenaBowl championship with the Philadelphia Soul in 2008. With the Soul, Watts made 38 receptions for 376 yards and five touchdowns in one year.

The lists rolls on tomorrow....

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Comments

Wasn't he in a car wreck when he was young that severed a nerve in his wrist?

I remember reading something about him not having feeling in one of his hands or something. Made me wonder how the heck he could catch the ball, and the answer was…..he couldn’t.

If I had a dollar for every Super Bowl San Diego has won, I'd go window shopping at the dollar store.

by Kgrone on Apr 7, 2011 2:34 PM MDT reply actions

#7 Darius Watts

In 2004 Darius Watts gave Broncoland indications he would be a quality addition as he tied for the fifth-most receptions by a rookie in Broncos history. However, as you’ve noted, he inability to consistently catch the ball was a glaring issue in our scheme. Speed will only take you so far in the NFL, ball handling is arguably far more important. I believe, as Kgrone, suggested that Watts suffered from an issue with one of his hands. It was an inspiring story of overcoming a disability, but it wasn’t enough to overcome poor on field performance. Watts, solely because he was a first round selection, was, indeed, a draft bust for the Broncos. He did nothing to improve Shanahan’s reputation in the draft.

We'll get along better if you just admit I'm right

by MoB.DeadMeat on Apr 7, 2011 2:46 PM MDT reply actions

He was drafted in the second round #54

I don’t agree with Watts making it on this list there have got to be ten first rounders who contributed less than he did. At least we got one good year out of him.

by Fan in Exile on Apr 7, 2011 3:32 PM MDT up reply actions

Like Bena said everybody has their own list

I didn’t sort mine by order but here you go:

Bob Gaiters
Steve Schindler
Freddie Gilbert
Ted Gregory
Marcus Nash
Jarvis Moss
Kelvin Clark
Don Latimer
Willie Middlebrooks
Tommy Maddox

by Fan in Exile on Apr 7, 2011 3:45 PM MDT up reply actions

This is just bothering me now

How do you put Watts on the list when there are ten first rounders who gave even less?

by Fan in Exile on Apr 8, 2011 6:07 AM MDT up reply actions

I'm not sure

if Latimer was a bust, but he probably had a hard time finding a place in Denver’s 3-4. They probably took him because he was the best player available in a weak draft, but he would have been better off going to a team like Pittsburgh, who’s front four was starting to get long in the tooth. They would cut a promising player by the name of Dwaine Board the next year to keep the aging Dwight White, who would retire after 1980.

by PABroncofan on Apr 8, 2011 11:27 AM MDT up reply actions

Reading his name...

Is like a punch to the gut. I really wanted him to work out.

by Jezru on Apr 7, 2011 2:53 PM MDT reply actions

i know.

watts had absolutely SICK talent. i understood why they drafted him when i saw him at training camp that year. blazing fast with acrobatic moves and stickum hands… until regular season started and he couldn’t catch the easy ones. might have been an injury like kgrone said but i thought at the time it was more a mental thing. i thought brandon lloyd might be another watts because his style looked similar to me and the rumors were that he couldn’t catch balls on the numbers. but nope. he can.

I'm not sugarcoating this.

by oxmouth on Apr 7, 2011 3:04 PM MDT up reply actions

Darius Watts

first won my affection as he matriculated at Marshall. Nevertheless, he even proved to be less worth the investment than Randy Moss was in his Raiders days.

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by the new Bradfather on Apr 7, 2011 3:45 PM MDT reply actions

There is only one game

that I remember Watts. He had an opportunity to make the game winning catch, wide open in the back of the endzone (I think we were playing against the Patriots). It was a lovely floating ball from Jake Plummer, and he out and out dropped it. Right through his arms.

That’s how I remember Darius Watts.

by Linmoo on Apr 7, 2011 4:45 PM MDT reply actions

Sorry, he was a bust, but I would put Foster ahead of him.

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by Broncoman on Apr 7, 2011 4:55 PM MDT reply actions