Resilience defines Chiefs’ Week 2 hero, rookie CB Jaylen Watson

Published Oculus News Network
Sep , 16  Friday 

Jaylen Watson didn’t recognise while — and admitted he changed into nevertheless surprised by using the instant — but he had a sense he’d intercept a Justin Herbert bypass Thursday as the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

“I woke up knowing I became going to get a pick
honestly ,” said Watson, a rookie 7th-round choose from Washington State. “I just knew, being a 7th-rounder and having my first start, that I was going to get tested a lot and early. But I just felt I became going to get one nowadays.”

Watson’s premonition proved real early in the fourth zone, while he stepped in front of tight stop Gerald Everett at the goal line and dashed 99 yards to the other quit of the sector for the move-in advance touchdown in Kansas City’s 27-24 comeback victory.

“Jaylen has been at the proper trajectory in view that he got here,” safety Justin Reid said. “He’s continued to get better. His confidence is growing continuously. We trusted on him to go out on the field and make a play, and he did that.”

The Chiefs had been playing Cover Zero, in step with Reid. He and Watson were operating collectively in area insurance on the outdoor

Everett slipped quickly to the flat then cut upfield to settle into a void at the goal line.

“Herbert tried to throw it outside to the tight end, Jaylen slipped under it, took it 50 yards, cut back on Herbert and nobody was going to catch him at that point,” Justin Reid said.

Watson’s mind went blank at some point between snagging Herbert’s pass and the other end zone, but he knew not to violate the one rule by which every NFL defensive back abides.

“We have a rule as DBs, you can never get tackled by the quarterback,” Watson said.

Watson said he became too overwhelmed to appreciate the moment, which can also were an awesome aspect for the reason that defense needed to move right returned onto the sphere.

“I was excited for him, however I didn’t want to continue to speak about the play,” safety Juan Thornhill said. “He had simply got a choose-six, however we had to go out there and play more football. I told  him we’d have fun the play after the game while we win.”

Watson located out Monday morning he would begin after fellow rookie Trent McDuffie’s harm. McDuffie, a primary-round pick out in April’s draft, suffered a hamstring injury at Arizona and landed on injured reserve in advance inside the week.

“Every time I stepped on the sphere, I’m just first super thankful and super  blessed that the Chiefs even took a shot on me,” Watson said.

Everything wasn’t best.

Early in the 2d 1/2, Watson were given beat for a landing by Mike Williams — who finished with eight catches for 113 yards, such as three catches for 28 yards towards Watson.

But the Augusta, Georgia, native has overcome worse odds to make the NFL.

After beginning his university profession at Ventura College, a two-yr faculty in relevant California, Watson planned to play at USC, however he stated not sufficient credits might switch and he wound up sitting out the 2019 season.

He spent a part of the 12 months running alongside his mother at Wendy’s in Georgia earlier than finally making his way to Pullman, Washington, wherein he resurrected his university football profession.

“I’m a very resilient man or woman,” Watson said. “I’ve worked labored for what I’ve had and become in no way given some thing. I think that gave me an part on the football area as nicely, so I simply try to carry that edge, show a few starvation, show some anger on the football field, and let it out on our opponent.”

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has observed Watson’s resilience at the exercise area.

“First off, he’s confident,” Mahomes said. “That’s massive while you’re a corner, Because you ’re going to get beat from time to time and you’re going to need to step  back up .”

“He’s very technical,” Justin Reid said. “He works his craft every day. He’s an competitive cornerback, gets his fingers on guys, has appropriate feet, correct eyes, and he’s willing to examine and get better.”

Watson’s week will get even better this weekend. He turns 24 on Saturday, the equal day Mahomes will celebrate his twenty seventh birthday.

“His (Watson’s) birthday is Sept. 17, in so that works well for him, too,” said Mahomes, whose birthday is likewise Sept. 17. “I’m having a blittle birthday celebration on Saturday, so I said it’s his celebration now due to the manner he performed.”