Jaylen Watson's potential return for the Chiefs is enormous news
The CB's practice window reopened, and that could have a ripple effect across the entire defense.
I say this with zero exaggeration… Jaylen Watson’s potential return for a playoff run is the best possible news I could have hoped for regarding the Chiefs’ Super Bowl hopes.
I mean that. It’s better news than Hollywood Brown’s return. It’s better news than DJ Humphries being (maybe) ready to go at LT. It’s better news than even if Rashee Rice had somehow made a miraculous recovery (I’m not kidding). It’s a big, big deal.
Before I go about explaining why (and there are multiple layers to it), here’s a quick reminder as to how we got here. Watson (following a solid first two years) was injured much of the offseason, then came back right before the season started and (following one very poor preseason game) immediately won the starting role as CB2. He then proceeded to play the best football of his career (he’s always been a very competent CB, but stepped it up to “very good” this season), only to suffer a broken fibula that was assumed to keep him out for the season. He’s now returned to practice and is believed to potentially be able to come back for a postseason run.
The implications of this are enormous in a way that go far beyond the return of Kansas City’s second-best cornerback. He’s not a superstar like McDuffie, but his potential return has a much larger impact than one would think. Because of Watson’s individual skillset, his role in the defense, the way his presence has a trickle-down effect on the rest of the CB group, and how all those things complement the entire defense as a whole should each be examined in turn. Because of the nature of the cornerback position, it’s not as simple as “oh hey, you got better at one spot.”
(Here’s a necessary and important caveat that all of what you’re about to read is IF Watson is healthy enough to play at the level he has the last two seasons, let alone early this year when he was on his way to a career year. I’m saying that now so I don’t have to say it repeatedly)
There’s a lot of ground to cover, but to start off with it’s worth noting that any time a team that prides itself on tackling and physicality gets back one of the most physical members of its secondary, it’s a good thing.
This terrific rep came on 3rd and 1 against the Chargers. Watson times the snap well and tracks the runner down the line, arriving heavy and finishing with an extremely strong tackle behind the line of scrimmage. The DL had held up well, but if it weren’t for Watson there’s a chance Dobbins could have pushed for the yard needed to convert (or made it 4th and inches). Instead, the run is stopped dead in its tracks and Los Angeles is forced to punt.
Watson is a perfect fit for what Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wants out of his cornerbacks when it comes to physicality and helping against the run and quick passing game. He’s got terrific size (listed at 6’2” and a shade under 200 pounds) and is an initiator of contact rather than trying to avoid it the way some corners do. He’s consistent in his effort on short-field stuff (run or pass), whether it’s shooting gaps, holding the edge, or fighting off blockers at the line of scrimmage.
Further, Watson isn’t just aggressive and high-effort in helping close to the line of scrimmage. He’s been technically sound since his rookie season and is disciplined in how he handles his assignments. He’s rarely out of position and recognizes where plays are going in order to help corral ball carriers. Watch him from the top of the screen in the play below.
Here, the “route” of the receiver Watson is covering is designed to lead him inside and away from the edge that the RB might try to hit. Watson keeps his eyes up as he’s engaging and sees the ball get handed off. He then disengages and stays outside, forcing the RB to turn inside, and wraps up strong to slow the runner as help arrives. It’s a terrific play (shout out to FAU for a solid job forcing the runner wide), and demonstrative of how Watson isn’t JUST physical and aggressive, but smart.
That’s as good a window as any to transition to the way Watson’s potential return can affect the entire defense. Because again, adding a legitimately good CB2 to the defense changes the math in multiple places if Watson picks up where he left off (or even plays at the same level he’s played at the last several years).
Consistency in all coverages and the trickle-down effect in the CB room
I’ve written a fair amount about Watson here over the years, and the thing that’s stood out is his consistency as a player ever since he was a rookie. He’s never been a high-level athlete, but from the time he first took the field he demonstrated a knack for zone looks, comfort playing physical man coverage, and good ball skills. Watson is at his best in zone coverage, where he’s disciplined and understands how to stay put while passing receivers off and/or reading routes and waiting on the ball to arrive in order to contest it at the catch point.
(Bottom of the screen here)
