NFL Rumors: Will Asa Watson make the New England Patriots?
After the 2014 NFL Draft came to an end and teams began to agree to deals with undrafted free agent, the New England Patriots signed a player with a very familiar name.
They inked former North Carolina State Wolfpack tight end Asa Watson. The 6’3, 327-pounder is the younger brother of 2004 Patriots’ first round pick Benjamin Watson.
As Tom E. Curran of CSN New England explains, Watson has had heart surgery twice but appears healthy and isn’t worried about his condition.
"That time was marred by a pair of heart surgeries aimed at correcting a heart condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, which causes a rapid heartbeat and tachycardia.Watson was comfortable speaking about the condition at Gillette Stadium Tuesday.“I think it’s always in question,” he said when asked about where things stood and whether it impacted teams’ interest in him. “Every team wants to know if it will affect me. As far as doctors, they knew it was something that wouldn’t hinder me from playing again . There’s plenty of other players who have had the condition who have played. None of them are too worried.”"
Watson had 27 career catches for 351 yards and one touchdown while with the Wolfpack.
Of course, Watson has big competition to make the team. The Patriots signed two other undrafted tight ends, former Bowling Green State Falcons’ pass-catcher Tyler Beck, who is 6’2 and 257 pounds and the massive 6’8, 277-pound Justin Jones, who played for the East Carolina Pirates.