Jaylen Watson, picked by the Kansas City Chiefs, is first Laney player drafted since 2009

When Jaylen Watson was asked what he would do if his name as called in the 2022 NFL draft, Watson first corrected one important word in the question before answering.

“It won’t be if,” the Laney grad and Washington State standout said. “It’s when. I know I’m going to hear my name called.”

The Augusta area product was selected with the No. 243 pick by the Kansas City Chiefs Saturday in the seventh round, making him the first former Laney player to be selected in a NFL draft since former Georgia standout Corvey Irvin was selected in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers.

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Watson had been considered a Day 2 or Day 3 draft prospect. Before the draft began, he attributed solid performances during pro day and the draft combine for transforming him from doubtful to hopeful.

Here are a few things Chiefs fans can expect to see from Watson.

Big league tenacity

Watson’s path to the NFL was an unconventional one, to say the least. After moving to Augusta from the Atlanta area to be closer to family, Watson spent his first few high school years at Curtis Baptist before finding a home at Laney. As a Wildcat, he was named Region 4-AA Offensive Player of the Year as a wide receiver. He also starred as a defensive back and contributed to the school’s basketball team.

After Laney, he went on a winding road that led him to Ventura College, signing and then subsequently having to renege on a pledge to the USC Trojans, coming back to work at a Wendy’s in Augusta with his mom before finding a home at Washington State.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound defensive back allowed those experiences to give him a deeper appreciation for the privilege of playing football at a high level. It also gave him a grit that sometimes isn’t found in those who have taken an easier path.

Watson’s combination of hard work and humility — he acknowledges that, while he’s put in the work to prepare him for the NFL, he still has much to learn — will ensure the Chiefs won’t be getting a prima donna. Watson’s been wearing a chip on his shoulder to prove his value on the gridiron since his little league days in Decatur, Georgia. Don’t expect that to change now.

His best football is ahead

Watson showed enough in his two seasons at Washington State to make NFL teams and draft experts to see his NFL upside. In 2020, as a redshirt junior, he was selected All-Pac 12 Conference honorable mention. In 2021, he recorded 23 solo tackles, snagged two interceptions and had three pass breakups. Teams like his height and speed for his size. He’s an aggressive corner who likes to jump routes. Sometimes that aggression can cause him to get beat on double moves. A strong tackler, he’s got some footwork and hip work fundamentals that need to be fixed. But those things can be easily fixed with good coaching at the next level along with his work ethic.

Here’s how he’ll help

Watson's style as a press coverage corner could help meet a need for Kansas City after cornerback Charvarius Ward departed for San Francisco via free agency.

Watson is the prototype player for the Kansas City secondary, based on his size and length. In addition to being a solid one-on-one tackler, Watson has more-than-admirable speed for a player his size. He ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine and clocked a 4.47-second time in the same during his pro day. His 38-inch vertical turned heads as well.

Combine his raw talent, ideal measurables and solid work ethic, and the Chiefs have a player who, even if he's not a Day 1 starter, can round into a solid rotational performer in his first couple of seasons in the league.

Watson's current skill set, coachability and substantial upside should leave Chiefs fans encouraged by this selection.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: NFL Draft: Kansas City Chiefs pick Washington State DB Jaylen Watson