Danny Watkins Danny William Watkins ( born November 6 , 1984 ) is an offensive guard , currently with the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He was drafted by the Eagles in the first round ( 23rd overall ) of the 2011 NFL Draft . He was drafted fourth overall by the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League in the 2010 CFL Draft , but played out his last year at Baylor University , the 2010 season . Early years . Watkins ' father , Todd , is a road grader . In high school , Watkins played rugby and hockey as a defenseman , but became the " designated goon " because of his size . He became a junior firefighter when he was 16 after visiting the West Kelowna Fire and Rescue . College career . Butte College . Watkins enrolled at Butte College to study fire sciences in order to become a firefighter after a year as a junior firefighter . The school ' s football coach recruited him to play for their football team , at the age of 22 . He played football at Butte from 2007−2008 , helping them to a perfect 11−0 record in 2008 . Butte coaches sent game tape of his to Division I - A schools , and California , Hawaii , and Baylor were the schools interested . Baylor University . Watkins transferred to Baylor University , after head coach Art Briles was impressed with his game tape at Butte . Watkins started at left offensive tackle as a junior in 2009 for the Bears . He replaced Jason Smith , who was drafted second overall by the St . Louis Rams in the 2009 NFL Draft . Professional career . CFL Draft . Watkins was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2010 CFL Draft by the BC Lions . NFL Draft . Prior to the 2011 NFL Draft , Watkins was projected to be drafted in the first or second round . He hired former NFL offensive lineman Joe Panos as his agent . 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 . Philadelphia Eagles . Watkins was selected with the 23rd overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles 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 . Watkins was released on August 31 , 2013 . Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said the “ innate toughness ” Watkins showed at Baylor never materialized . Miami Dolphins . The Miami Dolphins signed Watkins to a one - year contract on September 3 , 2013 after waiving backup lineman Josh Samuda .