Watt willing to wait for chance

Notre Dame guard Chris Watt is realistic about his NFL draft expectations.

The Glenbard West graduate was a three-year starter for the Fighting Irish, but scouting reports on the 6-foot-2½, 310-pounder paint a picture of a lunch-pail scrapper who plays with an edge and gets the most out of his ability by combining toughness, tenacity, smarts and effort.

Watt will not be drafted in the first round (May 8) or the second or third round (May 9). But he should eventually hear his name called on the final day of the draft (May 10) when Rounds 4-7 are conducted.

And that's OK with him.

"Hopefully, a team will want me," Watt said back in late February at the Scouting Combine. "I just want to prove myself and sell myself and give teams a little insight to who I am and what makes me tick and why they should draft me."

Although he bench-pressed 225 pound 29 times, Watt was unable to participate in any of the on-field activities at the Combine because he was still recovering from a sprained MCL in his right knee he suffered Notre Dame's regular-season finale. He also suffered a torn PCL in the same knee back in October but missed just one game.

But Watt was able to participate in all activities at Notre Dame's March 20 pro day, posting decent but not spectacular numbers for an interior offensive lineman. His 5.29-second 40-yard dash and 28½-inch vertical jump won't make scouts salivate, but he does pass the eyeball test with a stout frame, and he demonstrates solid technique.

"One of the strengths I have is that I know how to block," Watt said. "I know how that might sound, (as if) everyone can do that. But I know the angles to take to block the right guys. I know when (line)backers are moving. I know I need to change my angle so subtlely to get the (line)backer.

"I'm a physical finisher. If you're going to talk to anyone, they're going to tell you that. I'm tough, and I think I bring a great mindset and work ethic to the game. I'll bring a work ethic to whatever team (drafts) me."

Watt's self-evaluation is accurate, according to an NFLdraftscout.com report, which read: "Watt is a strong run defender with physical hands and keeps his feet grinding at the point of attack to create movement. He isn't the most agile in space and lacks ideal reflex quickness in pass pro -- very average physical tools. Watt plays with a nasty temperament and gets the most out of his ability with his smarts, toughness and overall football character."

Watt could project to center in the NFL, a position he tinkered with at Notre Dame and which he'd gladly convert if it meant a job in the NFL.

"I'm up for it," he said. "I've played (center) a little bit my sophomore year, and I was ready to go in this year and a play a little bit during camp. If one of our guys would have went down, I would have been ready to go in if they needed me."

As long as he's in the trenches, Watt will feel at home. It's where he's almost always played, with the exception of a brief flirtation in his early days at Glenbard West.

"Freshman year I was trying to play a little linebacker and tight end," he said. "But the next year I was put right back on the line, and that's where I belong."

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