If Dallas Cowboys rookie S Pat Watkins (6-foot-5) makes the Cowboys' he would be one of tallest safeties in history

Cowboys | Rookie would be one of tallest safeties in history
Tue, 20 Jun 2006 05:48:00 -0700

Charean Williams, of the Start-Telegram, reports if Dallas Cowboys rookie S Pat Watkins (6-foot-5) makes the Cowboys' 53-player roster, he will be one of the tallest safeties ever to play in the NFL. The average height of NFL starting safeties last season was 6-0. Five starters were listed by their teams at 6-3, including Seattle Seahawks S Michael Boulware and Arizona Cardinals S Adrian Wilson. No safety was taller. It is uncertain who the tallest safety ever was, but Gary Barbaro, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1976-82, was 6-4, as was Don Burroughs, who played with the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles from 1955-64. NFL historian Gil Brandt, former Cowboys player personnel director, couldn't name any taller safety. Some teams listed Watkins as a receiver on their draft boards. The Cowboys traded up in the fifth round for Watkins to compete with incumbent S Keith Davis at free safety.