Before the NFL Draft, Danny Watkins and Marcell Dareus trained together at Athletes' Performance in Arizona.
Now, the two first-round picks will square off face-to-face this Sunday when the Eagles travel to face the Bills.
"We're no strangers to each other," Watkins said on Friday. "He's a big athletic guy. He's real strong. He's able to press the pocket. He's good in the run game.
"It's going to be good. I'm looking forward to it."
Watkins, the 23rd overall pick, is set to make his first-career start. Dareus, the No. 3 overall pick, has started in all four games for the Bills with three of them coming at left defensive end and the other at nose tackle. Head coach Andy Reid was pleased with what he saw from Watkins in practice this week getting ready for the matchup.
"You know what, Danny's actually done a nice job, which I anticipated," Reid said. "We kind of eased him back in, (offensive line coach) Howard (Mudd) did, the last couple weeks, so he took all the reps this week and did well."
Watkins said that he didn't change his routine this week, but he understands the urgency with the team mired in a three-game losing skid.
"The only thing, I'm looking at this game like we need to get a win," Watkins said.
Dareus has 14 tackles and a sack for the Bills already this season. If Watkins can do his part to help neutralize him, that would certainly make for a memorable first start.
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