Carlos Watkins

Carlos Watkins (born December 5, 1993) is an American football defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson.

Carlos Watkins
refer to caption
Carlos Watkins on the Houston Texans
No. 94 – Arizona Cardinals
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1993-12-05) December 5, 1993
Forest City, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:305 lb (138 kg)
Career information
High school:Forest City (NC) Chase
College:Clemson
NFL Draft:2017 / Round: 4 / Pick: 142
Career history
Roster status:Injured reserve
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Total tackles:132
Sacks:5.0
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:3
Interceptions:1
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Watkins attended Chase High School in Forest City, North Carolina. As a junior, he tallied 50 tackles (29 for loss) and 14.0 sacks.

As a senior, he made 15 sacks, one interception and 5 forced fumbles. He played in the Shrine Bowl and the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.[1] He also lettered in basketball, averaging over 21 points and 10 rebounds per game as a junior.

College career

Watkins accepted football scholarship from Clemson University.[2] As a true freshman in 2012, he played in nine games, recording 16 tackles (one for loss) and 3 quarterback pressures.

As a sophomore in 2013, he played in three games with one start, before being involved in a car crash which caused blood clots in both of his legs that ended his season.[3][4][5] Watkins medically redshirted the rest of the season. He totaled 11 tackles (1.5 tackles for loss) and one quarterback pressure.

Watkins returned to play as a redshirt sophomore in 2014. He appeared in 11 games a backup, registering 13 tackles (2 for loss) and four quarterback pressures.

As a junior in 2015, he started 14 of 15 games, collecting 69 tackles (8 for loss), 3.5 sacks, and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown. He was named first-team All-ACC.[6] In a critical game against the University of Notre Dame, he made a game-winning tackle on a last second two-point conversion attempt.

As a senior in 2016, he posted 82 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss (led the team) and set the school record for defensive tackles with 10.5 sacks (led the team). He received All-ACC honors for the second consecutive year.[7] On January 9, 2017, Watkins was part of the Clemson team that defeated Alabama in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship by a score of 35–31, with him making six total tackles.[8] He finished his college career with 30 starts in 53 games, 191 tackles (26 for loss) and 14 sacks.

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 3+1⁄4 in
(1.91 m)		 309 lb
(140 kg)		 34+5⁄8 in
(0.88 m)		 10+3⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		5.01 s1.77 s2.95 s4.88 s7.97 s28.0 in
(0.71 m)		9 ft 0 in
(2.74 m)		25 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[9][10][11]

Houston Texans

Watkins was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round (142nd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.[12] The Texans acquired the pick by trading Brock Osweiler to the Cleveland Browns.[13] As a rookie, he appeared in 12 games with 6 starts, playing defensive end in a 3-4 defense. He made 21 tackles (3 for loss) and one pass defensed.

In 2018, he appeared in 4 games and was declared inactive in 11 contests. He did not play in the seventh game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He tallied 3 tackles (one for loss), one quarterback hit, and one sack. In the season finale against the Jaguars, he had 3 tackles (one for loss), one sack and one quarterback hit.

In 2019, he appeared in 10 games with one start, posting 23 tackles (one for loss), one sack, 2 quarterback hits, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery. He started and had 6 tackles (three solo) in the season finale against the Tennessee Titans.

In 2020, he appeared in 16 games with 11 starts, collecting 27 tackles (4 for loss), 2 sacks and 2 quarterback hits.

Dallas Cowboys

On March 22, 2021, Watkins signed with the Dallas Cowboys, to play as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense.[14][15] He appeared in 15 games with a career-high 14 starts, while making 32 tackles (4 for loss), one sack, one interception and one pass breakup. He missed the third game against the Philadelphia Eagles with a sprained knee. On December 2, 2021, Watkins intercepted a pass from New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill and returned it 29 yards for his first NFL touchdown.

On March 22, 2022, Watkins re-signed with the Cowboys on a one-year contract.[16] He was released on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[17][18] He was promoted to the active roster on October 22.[19] He appeared in 12 games with 4 starts, collecting 30 tackles and one forced fumble. His starts came after Johnathan Hankins was placed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury.

Arizona Cardinals

On March 30, 2023, Watkins signed with the Arizona Cardinals.[20] He suffered a biceps injury in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve on September 23, 2023.[21]

References
  1. "Carlos Watkins". Clemson Tigers Official Athletics Site. July 25, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  2. "ESPNU 150 DT Carlos Watkins to the Tigers". October 15, 2011.
  3. BRENNER, AARON. "Carlos Watkins thriving near end of Clemson career derailed by car wreck".
  4. Brenner, Aaron. "Two years after car wreck, Clemson's Watkins making quiet comeback".
  5. "Clemson DT Watkins grateful for return to football".
  6. "Watkins' decision to return to school is benefiting him and Clemson".
  7. Correspondent, ZACH LENTZ T&D. "Amid honors, Watkins aims to finish strong".
  8. "College Football Championship - Clemson vs Alabama Box Score, January 9, 2017". Sports Reference. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  9. "Carlos Watkins Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  10. "NASA helps select DT Carlos Watkins at No. 142". houstontexans.com. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  11. "Carlos Watkins, Clemson, DT, 2017 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  12. "Texans take Clemson DT Carlos Watkins in 4th rd". HoustonTexans.com. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  13. "2017 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  14. "DL Carlos Watkins Agrees To Terms With Cowboys". DallasCowboys.com. March 18, 2021.
  15. @DallasCowboysPR (March 22, 2021). "The @dallascowboys signed the following unrestricted free agents on Monday:- LB Tarell Basham (Ohio)- LS Jake McQuaide (Ohio State)- T Ty Nsekhe (Texas State)- DT Brent Urban (Virginia)- DE Carlos Watkins (Clemson)" (Tweet). Retrieved March 22, 2021 – via Twitter.
  16. Helman, David (March 23, 2022). "Carlos Watkins Comes Back On New Deal". DallasCowboys.com.
  17. Eatman, Nick (August 30, 2022). "Cowboys Make 28 Moves To Reach Roster Limit". DallasCowboys.com.
  18. Eatman, Nick (August 31, 2022). "Rush, Grier & Maher Among Practice Squad Signees". DallasCowboys.com.
  19. Williams, Charean (October 22, 2022). "Cowboys place Matt Waletzko on injured reserve, sign Carlos Watkins". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  20. Urban, Darren (March 30, 2023). "Defensive Lineman Carlos Watkins Joins Cardinals". AZCardinals.com.
  21. "Cardinals place Carlos Watkins on IR, elevate DL Ben Stille from practice squad". Cards Wire. USA Today. September 23, 2023.
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