Former Bison receiver Christian Watson tries to 'stay away' from the NFL Draft 1st-round projection chatter

Watson said Thursday after he finished participating at NDSU’s pro day that the draft projection game is something he tries to avoid.

“It’s really something that you don’t want to get into too much,” Watson said. “At the end of the day, stuff can go sideways, stuff can go better than what you see online. I’m just trying to do what I can do and it will all work itself out on draft day. … That’s definitely something I try to stay away from.”

Watson, offensive lineman Cordell Volson, tight end Josh Babicz and defensive end Brayden Thomas were among the former Bison players who participated in the Dacotah Field Bubble before representatives from at least 29 NFL teams.

The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 28-30 in Las Vegas. The 6-foot-4, 208-pound Watson’s stock has been on the rise since he helped the Bison earn a 38-10 victory against Montana State for the NCAA Division I FCS national championship in early January.

NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah projected Watson to go No. 30 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round in his most recent mock draft. Watson had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., and followed that with a strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

“I wanted to come out here and just have a smooth workout,” Watson said of his pro day. “I think I did just that. I was excited to be able to come out here and continue to showcase in front of teams. … I’m glad with the way I finished.”

Watson earned a max-99 athleticism score at the Combine, according to the “Next Gen Stats” draft model. Watson did select testing during NDSU’s pro day along with on-field work. He let some of the numbers he posted at the Combine stand, including his 40-yard time of 4.36 seconds.

“It was definitely a number that I was happy with,” Watson said. “I was a little bit disappointed (with) the time. I had run faster in training, but I was happy with it. … Once I get out there and I’m able to compete and get the opportunity to play in the NFL, I think the speed will show itself regardless of what the 40 time was.”

Watson did 18 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press on Thursday, something he didn’t test in at the Combine.

“Coming out here and being able to get a smooth 18 was definitely exciting for me,” said Watson, who was unofficially sub-seven seconds in the three-cone drill Thursday.

Jim Nagy, the executive director of the Senior Bowl, projected Watson to be a lock for a top-50 selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. Nagy added wide receiver coaches from Houston, New Orleans, the New York Giants and Philadelphia were among the representatives at NDSU’s pro day working with Watson during position drills.

Bison quarterback Cam Miller threw passes to Watson and Babicz during on-field drills. Watson made multiple leaping catches, including one near the sideline and another one in the back corner of the end zone.

“I came out here with a goal and a mindset. I think I’m fully capable of making those plays,” Watson said. “It’s just another workout for me with more people watching. … My goal going into the day was to just have this be another workout for me and go about my business like I would any workout.”

The 6-foot-6, 255-pound Babicz took part in pass-catching and blocking drills and also ran the 40-yard dash. The 6-foot-3, 258-pound Thomas also ran the 40-yard dash. Babicz recorded a personal-best 37 inches in the vertical jump. Babicz was unofficially in the high-4.7s in the 40, while Thomas was in the mid-4.8s.

“I PRed in almost everything training, and I felt like I had good drills throughout the whole day and ran well,” Babicz said. “I was really happy with my bench, my vertical, I feel like I ran as fast as I could in the 40. It’s the best I can do.”

Thomas and the 6-foot-6, 317-pound Volson both record 32-inch verticals. Thomas had 25 reps in the bench press, while Babicz had 21. Volson did not participate in the bench press as he did that testing at the Combine. Thomas was unofficially clocked below seven seconds in the three-cone drill.

Thomas said NFL teams have projected him to play defensive end or outside linebacker and some teams have inquired about him playing tight end or fullback, too.

“The biggest interview I’ll ever have in my life when it comes to something that I love and dream of everyday,” said Thomas, who is from Bismarck. “It was a great day all around.”

Volson did 25 reps in the bench press at the Combine and improved his vertical jump seven inches Thursday compared to what he did at the Combine. Volson got game reps at four offensive line positions while at NDSU and some scouts have asked for practice tape of him playing center.

“I felt good about it,” Volson said. “Maybe my numbers weren’t the best in Indianapolis, but at the end of the day, it’s about putting your hand in the dirt and playing football. I thought I did a really good job at position work there. That’s where it really matters. That’s where you climb up boards, (it’s) showing what you can do on the football field.”

Volson said he felt at home being back in Fargo and competing in front of NFL teams with Watson, Babicz and Thomas. Volson added he isn’t surprised that Watson is moving up draft boards, despite playing for a run-heavy offense at NDSU.

“It speaks volumes to the type of guy that Christian is,” Volson said. “You look at his numbers, maybe he doesn’t blow you off the stat sheet, but the things that he’s done for our team as far as blocking as a wide receiver, being just a threat that makes teams really focus on him. Christian did way more for our team than just what the stat column showed. I wish him nothing but the best because he’s going to be a great pro.”