Desmond Watson makes NFL history as league’s heaviest player at 464 pounds

Desmond Watson hasn’t played a snap in the NFL yet, but he’s already in the history books. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed the massive defensive tackle after the NFL Draft, and at 464 pounds, he now holds the distinction of being the heaviest player ever to join the league.

The 6-foot-6 Florida native is a hometown signing, hoping to earn a spot on the Bucs roster during their rookie minicamp this weekend. While Tampa Bay’s first-round pick, Emeka Egbuka, is likely to draw plenty of attention, Watson’s unprecedented size may make him the most talked-about player on the field.

A look back at the NFL’s heaviest athletes

The backstory:

Watson’s weight not only tops the current league but surpasses every known player in NFL history. Baltimore’s Daniel Faalele currently leads the active roster at 380 pounds — a full 84 pounds lighter than Watson.

Other record-heavy names include:

• Aaron Gibson: Topped out at 410 pounds, drafted by Detroit in 1999.
• Terrell Brown: A 6-foot-10 tackle who hit 403 pounds in a 2013 stint with the Rams.Nate Newton: Topped 401 pounds before reshaping his career and helping the Cowboys win three Super Bowls.
• Michael Jasper: Drafted at around 450 pounds by Buffalo in 2011, though he slimmed down in camp.
• Bryant McKinnie: Played at 386 pounds across 179 games.
• William "The Refrigerator" Perry: Iconic 382-pound Bears lineman turned cultural icon in the 1980s.

Watson exceeds all of them by a significant margin. His size has drawn comparisons to a "unicorn," as Florida coach Billy Napier once called him — a player whose physical dimensions are virtually unheard of, even in a sport known for massive linemen.

Why it matters for the Buccaneers

What's next:

The Bucs will evaluate Watson over the course of their three-day rookie minicamp, which begins Friday. His size could make him a unique asset in short-yardage or goal-line situations, but it also presents major challenges in terms of agility, endurance, and injury risk. Coaches have indicated a desire to see him a bit lighter on his feet.

Whether Watson makes the final roster or not, his signing has already made NFL history — and sparked a renewed curiosity about the limits of human size in pro football.