Last season’s Bucks roster was full of talented rookies.He was one of the biggest reasons for them – Even though many people are giving the team a hard time. – Tampa Bay was able to make a smooth transition from a team full of veterans to one with a strong young core. This past rookie class had great depth, including outside linebacker Marquise Watts.
Watts is one of the players we’ll hear a lot more about in 2024, sneaking onto the roster as an undrafted free agent after trying out at rookie minicamp. Speaking to Pewter Report at the end of his season, he had a lot to say about his journey so far. You can join the team and get playing time last season.
Marquise Watts has had plenty of fights to deserve with the Bucks.
Back in May, Marquise Watts’ inclusion on the Bucks’ 90-man roster was far from a guarantee. Tampa Bay was the only team that even gave him a chance to prove his worth during rookie minicamp tryouts.
Bucs OLB Marquise Watts – Photo Credit: USA Today
Watts ultimately became one of three players the team signed from that time on, and this was the beginning of his journey up the depth chart. After making the 90-man roster, he That way he will shine during the team’s preseason. His name is on the list of 53 people.
He didn’t suit up until Week 9 against the Titans, but that’s when he started making his presence felt. Impressive NFL debut.
Even though he only had a handful of snaps all season, Watts still tried to make the most of them. That included a game against the Saints in Week 16, where he only played five defensive snaps but recorded two tackles and his first career sack.
Watts faced many battles to establish himself as the team’s outside linebacker. He did not shy away from them.
“It’s been a long journey,” Watts said of what this season meant to him. “When we achieved 90 passengers, it was a huge accomplishment that made us think, ‘Wow, we’ve achieved it.’ At that time, I thought, ‘No, we haven’t succeeded yet.’ The battle began again and we were blessed with a new battle. Every time I won one, I was blessed with a new one. And it was a continuation of the fight I had just won earlier. ”
Although he started the season inactive, Watts was unfazed. Rather, he recognized that he was not yet ready and was willing to become a sponge.
![Bucks Orb Marquise Watts](https://www.pewterreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Watts-Markees-Bucs-MC-bags-300x200.jpg)
Bucs OLB Marquise Watts – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
“I started the season without watching a lot of these games,” Watts added. “I was really excited, but I even knew the Vikings game was on the spot.” [in Week 1], you must have been nervous. As time went on, I felt like I had the best seat in the house. You can take the slowest approach, learn the game, and watch matches in advance. I learned to learn and absorb as much as I could during the weeks I was less active, and when I became more active, I was less nervous and more excited.
“I’ve been preparing, I’ve been learning, so I just did the same thing that I’m doing in practice. As the season goes on, I think I need to get better, work on this, work on this, I continued practicing with that mindset. I understood how the defense works here, and it paid off as the season progressed. It’s been an honor to be a part of it until now.”
Marquise Watts aims to improve during offseason
As the Bucs head into the offseason, the biggest question at outside linebacker is Shaq Barrett’s future. Barrett has been a major contributor to the pass rush since arriving in 2019, but the team may choose to part ways with the 31-year-old in favor of something younger.
That’s where Marquise Watts could be further added to the discussion.
![Bucks Orb Marquise Watts](https://www.pewterreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Watts-Markees-Bucs-Steelers-point-300x200.jpg)
Bucs OLB Marquise Watts – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Watts, who flashed in limited snaps throughout last season, continued his development trajectory throughout the offseason and could soon find a way to earn more playing time. The rest of the depth chart beyond YaYa Diaby is unknown.
Even if Barrett returns, the door to a starting role is more open than ever. Joe Tryon-Soyinka hasn’t performed as well as expected, but Anthony Nelson, Cam Gil and Jose Ramirez each serve as backup pass rushers.
EDGE’s position is one the Bucks are looking to shore up, so it goes without saying any other names that could be in the mix. free agent or nfl draft During April.
Watts has a long way to go to earn a more defined role, but he’s looking to develop in a way that doubles his performance.
“My production, my consistency, my skill output, things like that,” Watts said of the elements of his game he would like to improve. “I feel like all of that could be multiplied by how much I’m winning. My consistency has doubled. The most important part is, when I come back next season, I feel like all of that could be multiplied many times over. I hope that I can come back, but I think my role was understanding that I’m not a rookie anymore.
“My role is going to be like the veterans you see here, the players that the coach knows when he puts them in the game. I know I have to be that guy next season, so it’s a lot of pressure, but the pressure is worth it.”
Pressure is nothing new for Marquise Watts. He has a chance to grow from his rookie season and prove why the Bucks are worth taking a chance on.