Buccaneers’ Desmond Watson Aims for More than Just His Record Weight

TAMPA, Fla. — Desmond Watson, an undrafted rookie defensive lineman for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, made headlines recently when he became the heaviest player in NFL history, weighing in at 464 pounds during Florida‘s Pro Day earlier this year.

Watson signed with the Buccaneers shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft, where several hundred rookies were added as undrafted free agents. Though many UDFA transactions go unnoticed, Watson’s size has generated significant attention.

“I feel like my name is etched in history as the official heaviest player in the NFL,” Watson said. “It’s a good story; at the same time, I don’t want it to be my narrative. I want to be known as a football player, and a good football player at that.”

Watson, who hails from the Tampa Bay area, played four seasons at Florida without missing a game, finishing with 63 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and impressive skills showcased at Pro Day where he completed 36 bench press reps. Despite his unprecedented size, he is focused on improving his performance on the field.

“I try to focus on what I’m good at and get better at the things I’m not good at,” he said. “If there is skepticism about my chances, hopefully, I can prove them wrong.”

His attention-grabbing signing coincided with the Bucs’ selection of Tez Johnson from Oregon, who at 154 pounds is now the lightest player in the NFL. Watson expressed excitement about the diversity of player sizes in football:

“It’s good to see. I think that’s one of the things that makes football the best sport,” Watson said. “It’s nice to see different people, different personalities, and different sizes on the same field.”

Having grown up playing football in the Tampa area, Watson is thrilled to start this new chapter with his hometown team. “I’m happy. This is a dream come true. It feels like a movie,” he said. “I’ve never seen snow because I’ve lived here my whole life.”

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles noted Watson’s impressive size but emphasized the need for him to demonstrate endurance and meet performance expectations in training camp.

“He’s got a lot of size. We need to see how long he can stay on the field and improve,” Bowles said. “It’s still very early to judge him.”

While Watson is currently a curiosity due to his weight, he hopes to gain respect on the field for his athletic abilities. His dedicated approach and optimistic mindset have made him a fan favorite among Buccaneers supporters as he strives for success in the NFL.