How Armon Watts fits into Steelers defense plans
By all appearances, the Pittsburgh Steelers are openly negotiating the signing of another free agent as of Monday. Per David Canter, the agent of defensive tackle Armon Watts – who is entering his fifth NFL season – will reportedly sign with the Steelers. No details were initially released.
Omar Khan and the Steelers have remained relatively active in continuing to evaluate free agents as they prepare for the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. Watts, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2019 draft by the Minnesota Vikings, spent the 2022 NFL regular season with the Chicago Bears.
So, what could the Pittsburgh defense look like with the addition of Watts?
If the parties do agree, Watts would join Montravius Adams, Cameron Heyward, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Jonathan Marshall, Larry Ogunjobi, and Renell Wren at defensive tackle.
It’s an area where depth was of some concern, especially when Pittsburgh struggled early last season with stopping the run. That was shored-up by the end of the season, but it required some creativity on the part of the Steelers coaching staff.
Watts would absolutely allow the Steelers to place more focus on other key positions in this year’s draft.
In his four seasons (three with the Vikings, one with the Bears), Watts saw his most activity (games and games started) in Chicago. In 57 games, the former Arkansas Razorback recorded 8.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, one pass defense, seven tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, and combined for 125 tackles.
Last season, Watts beat-out Bears defensive lineman Angelo Blackson for snaps as a starter despite joining the team after being released by Minnesota in final roster cutdowns. He’d have to really prove himself in Pittsburgh to move up on the depth chart with a pass rush win rate average (per PFF, four seasons) of 9.8%, unless the Steelers ask him to do more in stopping opposing offenses’ run game.
The Steelers are familiar with Watts’s play – ask Ben Roethlisberger. Yes, it’s a little strange to see another defender in black and gold with a name so close to two brothers (T.J. Watt and Derek Watt) on the team, but he was utilized as a fourth option on Chicago’s defensive line in pass rush, signaling his value is in applying more pressure against NFL rushers rather than quarterbacks.
Watts also provides the Steelers an option to create different packages along the defensive line that prevents them from relying on Heyward, a 13-year vet, from needing to play every defensive snap, as well as a more veteran option as a potential backup than Marshall or Wren.
The addition of Watts will likely also be a cap-friendly deal that allows Pittsburgh to get off to a quicker start in training camp to build off of the success they found late in 2022 against the run.
Would signing Watts prevent the Steelers from selecting a defensive lineman in the 2023 NFL Draft, though?
Absolutely not.
Pittsburgh eventually has to find the heir to Heyward (we know, we hate thinking about that, too) but they may or may not have scouted “that guy” in this year’s draft class.
Georgia’s Jalen Carter is highly regarded as this year’s top defensive tackle prospect, but he’s on everyone’s radar. Pittsburgh would need to make some clever gambles to grab him at No. 17 overall, if they’re truly interested.
Carter’s name has appeared on mock drafts as being a potential first-round pick for the Steelers… but the feeling is just as high that defensive tackle is not the biggest priority on the Steelers’ draft board.
The Steelers have also been linked to Keeanu Benton, of Wisconsin, who could fall to them with their second pick of the draft. Benton fits well into a 3-4 defensive scheme and many scouts see him as a potential end versus a two-gap tackle.
Keanu Benton (DT 95) has some really fun flashes pic.twitter.com/cUOSUlemlg
— Draft Guy Jared (@DraftGuyJared) September 8, 2022
Regardless, the addition of Watts as a free agent signing gives the Steelers options. Banking future potential is key in an ever-evolving National Football League. With a new piece in place, Pittsburgh looks more and more likely to truly target their biggest areas of immediate need in the draft without having to reach or stretch, as well.
