Chargers take J.J. Watt’s brother, Derek, in 6th round

SAN DIEGO — J.J. Watt and Melvin Gordon had the same message to Derek Watt: Welcome to the NFL, bro.

The San Diego Chargers used a sixth-round pick to select Derek Watt, the Wisconsin fullback who is J.J.’s younger brother and Gordon’s former blocker with the Badgers.

Derek Watt will be reunited with Gordon, who is eager to forget the disappointment of his rookie season with the Chargers.

“Could not be happier or more proud bro!!! Incredible!!! I’m definitely coming to visit!!!” J.J. Watt tweeted to Derek.

“I think we were all equally excited,” Derek Watt said in a conference call with San Diego reporters. “I mean, he called me and was extremely happy. It was amazing. My whole family was proud. I had a couple of friends over, and my high school coach and it was a great day.”

Gordon tweeted to Derek Watt: “glad to have you back bro #BoltUp #Congrats”

Watt said Gordon was texting him before and after the pick.

“He was hoping they could get me there,” Watt said. “He was extremely happy and looking forward to me being back out there with him. … He’s definitely an extremely talented guy. He’s got a year under his belt now so I think that definitely helps him out. I’m going to go out there and try to help him do everything I can. We’re going to pick up right where we left off, I think.”

After starring at Wisconsin, Gordon’s rookie season was a disappointment, in part because of the underperforming line. He failed to score a touchdown and didn’t have any 100-yard games. He missed the final two games with a knee injury, finishing with 641 yards on 184 carries — an average of 3.5 yards — and 192 yards on 33 catches.

During his final season at Wisconsin, Gordon rushed for 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Derek Watt said he had great chemistry with Gordon at Wisconsin.

“We talk about it. We’ve got that. We already know how each other kind of thinks and what each other sees. We’ve been in the same meetings, we’ve been involved in the same plays and we communicate what we see on the field to each other. He’ll tell me if he thinks I should have done something differently or if he saw something other than what I saw, and I’ll do the same. I’ll tell him, ‘Hey, I thought you could have done this or that.’

“It’ll be great to get back with him and the other running backs as well and learn from them. They’ve obviously got more experience than me at this point. I’m going to go in with open eyes and open ears and just try to take in as much as possible.”

Some people felt Gordon could have benefited from running behind a fullback last year.

“In the brief talk we’ve had about this, and this can change, but they want a fullback on the roster, a true fullback,” said Watt, who also knows he’ll have to make an impression on special teams.

If Derek Watt makes the team, he’ll face off against his older brother, a three-time Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year, when the Chargers visit the Houston Texans on Nov. 27.

Who will lay out whom first?

“We’re both going to try to do just that. We’ll see. It might be a stalemate. We might just knock each other out,” Derek Watt said.

The Chargers also drafted Ohio State linebacker Joshua Perry in the fourth round, Akron outside linebacker Jatavis Brown in the fifth round and Texas A&M punter Drew Kaser in the sixth.

Perry is the second former Buckeyes player taken by the Chargers, who picked defensive end Joey Bosa with the third selection overall on Thursday night.

Perry has played both inside and outside linebacker.

He is expected to add depth to a unit that was ranked only 20th overall in the NFL and 27th against the run.

The Chargers finished 4-12 last year and winless in the AFC West.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.