Former NFL first round pick, Danny Watkins done with football
By Brian Miller
The Philadelphia Eagles thought very highly of former Baylor University lineman Danny Watkins that they selected him with the 23rd overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Watkins was immediately penciled in to start but the Eagles quickly realized that he wasn’t as game ready as he needed to be.
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Following a disappointing 2011 season, Watkins was moved to a back-up role in 2012 where he continued to struggle at the NFL level. A big bruising offensive lineman who was athletic enough to play at the top level, Watkins couldn’t adjust and in 2013 he was released. Two short seasons after he was drafted.
During the 2013 season Watkins was signed by the Miami Dolphins but played only six snaps during his time with the team. Today, he is no longer concentrating on football.
Prior to his NFL career, Watkins served as a firefighter and today, he has returned to the Dallas, Tx area and to the work that he loved so much according to Ian Rapoport via Twitter.
Almost a year ago, #Eagles cut ex-1st round OL Danny Watkins. Now, he’s done with football, working as a firefighter in Dallas & very happy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 26, 2014
Watkins was considered one of the toughest lineman in the 2011 draft class. At the age of 26 Watkins began his NFL career to a four year $7.5 million dollar deal. He may have flamed out in the NFL but some are destined to do far greater things. All told, in his three NFL seasons, Watkins appeared in 24 games and made 18 starts. In 2011 he was benched and made only six starts in 11 appearances.