It's that time of the year again. Mile High Report begins our annual 90 players in 90 days roster breakdown. Last year went fairly well, but starting today and through August 27th, we'll break down every player on the Denver Broncos roster.
Name: Dekoda Watson
Position: ILB
Height: 6'2" Weight: 245
Age: 28 Experience: 6th
College: Florida State
We'll start with the last player the Broncos signed prior to OTA's beginning. Dekoda Watson is a 6'2", 245 pound inside linebacker who has been in the league for seven seasons. Despite that longevity, he is just 28 years old.
After joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010 as a seventh round pick, he has bounced around over the last three seasons with three different teams. If he sticks with the Broncos, it will likely be on special teams.
The Good: He presence may actually be felt on special teams as he has 45 career special-teams tackles to go along with three fumble recoveries and three blocked punts. That is quite the special teams resume, especially when added to an already stalwart unit in Denver.
The Broncos also waited until after the demarcation point for free-agent signings, so his signing will not affect their 2017 compensatory picks.
The Bad: He has played his entire career as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 alignment, but will project as an inside linebacker in the Wade Phillips 3-4 scheme. Though he is a quality veteran backup, he won't likely see the field much with the Broncos number one defensive unit unless an injury disaster strikes.
Quotable: Nothing really to report here, so I'll use this section to plug Watson's charity event. On June 18th, he holds his annual Koda's Kids Youth Football and Cheerleading Camp. He holds the event as his alma mater, South Aiken High School in South Carolina.
"Boys and girls can choose whatever clinic they feel comfortable in," Watson said of the event. "Our first year, one of the best kids in our football clinic was a girl!"
Status: I think Watson makes the roster. The Broncos were unable to truly invest in a replacement for Danny Trevathan and instead rolled with last years' backups. Watson will provide additional depth to the position, while also strengthening the special teams unit.
Though he may find himself on the roster bubble when the final 53-man roster is determined. He'll need to shine during camp to squeeze into that final cut.