Originally from England, Watts was educated at Wesley College, Melbourne and was a 1st round draft selection (14th overall) for the Adelaide Crows at the 2003 AFL Draft. Watts made his senior AFL debut for Adelaide in Round 17 2004, against the Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium. Watts played five games in 2004, kicking two goals,Watts's career statistics from AFL Tables and a good future for Watts seemed assured. However, Watts was unable to break into Adelaide's side throughout the 2005 AFL season, instead playing with the Crows's South Australian National Football League (SANFL) affiliate Woodville-West Torrens Football Club, for whom he kicked 10 goals in the 2005 SANFL semi-final.
