Danny Watkins
Encyclopedia
Watkins invited five of his friends from the West Kelowna fire department to join him at the draft. On the morning of the draft, Watkins and his firefighter friends visited a New York City firehouse that lost several members during the September 11 attacks.
in the 2011 NFL Draft
. He became the oldest first-round selection since 1980 at the age of 26. He was the first Canadian to be drafted in the first rounds of both the CFL and NFL drafts since Mike Schad
in 1986. He was projected to start as a rookie at right offensive guard and signed a four-year contract worth $7.9 million on August 1. However, the Eagles claimed Kyle DeVan
off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts
before the start of the season and Watkins was benched. Watkins was inactive for the first two weeks of the season and was active for a week three game against the New York Giants
, but did not play. He was inactive again in week four, but was promoted to the starting right guard on October 5, due to the ineffectiveness of DeVan through the first four games of the season.
Philadelphia Eagles
Watkins was selected with the 23rd overall pick by the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 2011 NFL Draft
2011 NFL Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
. He became the oldest first-round selection since 1980 at the age of 26. He was the first Canadian to be drafted in the first rounds of both the CFL and NFL drafts since Mike Schad
Mike Schad
Michael Schad is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League....
in 1986. He was projected to start as a rookie at right offensive guard and signed a four-year contract worth $7.9 million on August 1. However, the Eagles claimed Kyle DeVan
Kyle DeVan
Kyle DeVan is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Oregon State....
off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
before the start of the season and Watkins was benched. Watkins was inactive for the first two weeks of the season and was active for a week three game against the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, but did not play. He was inactive again in week four, but was promoted to the starting right guard on October 5, due to the ineffectiveness of DeVan through the first four games of the season.