Raiders sign second-round pick Menelik Watson

Originally published on SBReport.net on July 24, 2013

The Raiders announced that they have signed second-round draft pick Menelik Watson on Wednesday, the day the team arrived in Napa, Calif. for this year's training camp.

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound offensive tackle was selected by the 42nd overall in April after playing one year at Florida State. Watson transferred to FSU from Saddleback Junior College in Southern California. Watson originally moved to the United States from Manchester, England to play college basketball at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Watson played 13 games for the Seminoles (12 starts) and earned honorable mentions All-ACC Honors after allowing just one sack. In his one year at Saddleback, he garnered second team All-Southern California Football Association honors.

He has little experience on the football field but his big frame and athleticism gives him plenty of potential to grow.

The big, athletic tackle is believed to have a chance at earning the starting right tackle position, the spot Khalif Barnes currently occupies. 

The signing leaves just one rookie undrafted just two days before practices start: cornerback and twelfth-overall selection D.J. Hayden.

The team has meetings on Thursday and get on the practice field for the first training camp practice on Friday.