There’s one undrafted rookie on the Bucs’ roster that is making a strong push for the 53-man roster. And he’s not being talked about enough. Heck, when looking over the newly released Madden NFL 24 rosters, he’s not even listed as a player. 

But that will quickly change if he continues to build on the strong training camp and preseason he’s had. That player is outside linebacker Markees Watts, who has flashed as someone who plays with a lot of power and has a resume filled with an ability to get to the quarterback.

Markees Watts Has Impressed With His Offseason And Preseason Play

Markees Watts was a not name thought of much around the league before, during, or after the NFL Draft. Despite leaving the Charlotte 49ers as their all-time sack leader, Watts was only able to parlay that into a tryout offer from the Bucs during rookie mini-camp.

Going back to his time with Charlotte, Watts’ most productive season came playing opposite breakout Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith in 2019. While surely some attention was directed Highsmith’s way, Watts still recorded 9.5 sacks that season along with three forced fumbles.

Charlotte OLB Markees Watts – Photo by: USA Today

Watts followed that up with two sacks in five games during a shortened 2020 COVID-19 season, and then had six and four sacks in 2021 and 2022, respectively. He also showcased other ways of getting to the ball throughout last season, recording an interception and blocking a kick.

In all, he left the school as their all-time sack leader at 21.5, just half a sack higher than Highsmith, who just signed a four-year, $68 million extension over the offseason. Watts has a long way to go to get his own big payday, but he did well enough to earn a spot on the 90-man roster back in May. That has carried over to the preseason.

Watts recorded a strip-sack against the Steelers and then followed that up with seven quarterback pressures against the Jets. Just look at how quickly he got to the backfield to force an incompletion from Jets quarterback Tim Boyle using an advanced spin move.

He has impressed both in the game and in practice. Take left tackle Tristan Wirfs’ word for it.

“Oh my gosh, Markees Watts is a good player,” Wirfs said in his latest Training Camp Diary. “He was a tryout guy? He’s got a big toolbag of moves. I’m very glad I’ve gotten to go up against him much. He’s quick and he’s explosive. He can bend that edge. He’s a really twitchy guy. Props to him for busting his balls to put himself in position to be where he is. He had the strip-sack in the [Steelers] game, which was cool. He’s a good player.”

Throughout the preseason, Markees Watts has been the second highest-graded rookie by Pro Football Focus with a 91.7 grade. It is telling that the only player before him is Will Anderson Jr., the third overall pick and first defensive player taken in the draft.

Markees Watts’ Could Be Another Diamond In The Rough For Bucs

It also speaks to the evaluation process of Bucs general manager Jason Licht and others in the front office to continue finding rookie talent by any means necessary. Yes, that includes top draft picks defensive tackle Calijah Kancey and right guard Cody Mauch, as well as later-round finds like outside linebacker YaYa Diaby and wide receiver Trey Palmer.

Bucs OLB Markees Watts Photo By: Cliff Welch/PR

But just as many undrafted guys have a strong case to make the team, including Markees Watts. Running back Sean Tucker, wide receiver Rakim Jarrett, and defensive back Chris Izien all are likely to play, and in Izien’s case, that includes a chance to start right away on Todd Bowles’ defense if he can beat out veteran Dee Delaney.

To do the same, Markees Watts has to continue his high level of play in what is a competitive pass-rushing rotation. There are already two Day 1 starters in Shaq Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. Anthony Nelson and YaYa Diaby have also flashed enough and will get plenty of run.

The team also spent a sixth-round pick on Jose Ramirez and Cam Gill, who has impressed as well this preseason, remains in the fold.

While it might be a difficult position to land some work, Bowles has been impressed by what he has seen from Watts.

“He’s very smart, he’s very tough,” Bowles said of Watts after the Jets game. “I mean, he can rush the passer and he’s very athletic. He can do a lot of things, and that position is going to be tough. We really like what we see out of him.”