The Browns drafted LB Nathaniel Watson with the 206th pick in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.
Here are five things to know about the Browns' newest addition to the linebacker room.
2023 AP SEC Defensive Player of the Year
After setting career highs during the 2023 season in total tackles (137), tackles for loss (13) and sacks (10), Watson was named the Associated Press SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He was the leading tackler in the SEC and had a league-best 10-sacks. Watson was also the only FBS player in 2023 with 100-plus tackles and 10-plus sacks.
He also finished the 2023 season with two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two passes defended and an interception.
Finalist for the Butkus Award
Among his accolades for the 2023 season, Watson was also named a finalist for the Butkus Awards in 2023, which is awarded to the nation's top linebacker. With the nomination, Watson became the first player in Mississippi State's football program history to be named a finalist for the Butkus Award.
Family ties to the NFL
Watson had a family member play in the NFL. His uncle, Harold Morrow, played collegiate football at Auburn, and then continued his professional career with the Vikings from 1996-2002, the Ravens from 2003-04 and the Cardinals in 2005.
Check out photos of Browns 2024 sixth round pick Nathaniel Watson
Mississippi State wide receiver Justin Robinson (18) tries to run past linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) after catching a pass during NCAA college football practice Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) hands his gloves to 11-year-olds Jay Chism, center of Tupelo, Miss. and Treylan Bell, left of Guntown, Miss., after their NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Starkville, Miss. Mississippi State won 56-10. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle)
Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Images for the NFL)
Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) during an NCAA football game against Arizona on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) tries to slips past Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
American running back Michael Wiley of Arizona (8) catches a pass as American linebacker Nathaniel Watson of Mississippi State (14) defends during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary (13) is sacked by Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. Kentucky won 24-3. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
American running back Michael Wiley of Arizona (8) catches a pass as American linebacker Nathaniel Watson of Mississippi State (14) defends during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) tries to shake Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) as he scrambles out of the pocket during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) tries to slips past Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) is penalized for a horse collar tackle on South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) is penalized for a horse collar tackle on South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson (14) is pursued by Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Mississippi State won 42-24. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson celebrates after sacking Texas Tech quarterback Donovan Smith in the first half of the Liberty Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson celebrates after making a sack against Texas Tech in the first half of the Liberty Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
LSU running back Logan Diggs (3) runs up the middle for a short gain as Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) attempts to tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) sacks Texas Tech quarterback Donovan Smith (7) in the first half of the Liberty Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson celebrates after a play against Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Potential to develop into specific role on defense
The Browns saw the depth in their linebacker room deplete during free agency as their free agents signed with other teams. Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry said that specifically when Sione Takitaki signed with the Patriots, they lost a player who played both MIKE and SAM and brought a stoutness to the middle of the defense, especially at the point of attack.
It was a skillset they were looking to fill. Berry believes that Watson can develop into that type of role for their defense because of his particular skillset, especially in the run game and how he uses his strength.
"We think that Nathaniel, he's got good range, he's incredibly smart, and he has good instincts, but he provides maybe a little bit of a diverse profile in that linebacker room because he does have a little bit more strength and power at the point of attack," Berry said. "So, we see him as a player that has the potential to maybe develop into that type of role – MIKE, SAM, FLEX and ultimately be someone who's a candidate to call the defense after he gets his sea legs out from under him."
Special teams experience
Not only did Watson excel in the SEC on defense, but he also played an important role on special teams during his time at Mississippi State. He played 576 snaps on special teams in college, according to the draft guide of The Athletic's Dan Brugler.
"Especially a linebacker position, you obviously want those guys to play just because they're bigger bodies and you hope they can play all phases," area scout Matt Donahoe said on April 27. "The nice thing is that he was a productive starter on their defense, and he also had played special teams throughout his career. So, you kind of get best of both worlds in his regard. The versatility of Watson is one of the more impressive parts of his kind of whole package."
