The Pittsburgh Steelers will rely on Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson to lock down either side of the field for the defense. Bringing back Cameron Sutton despite his legal issues addressed the slot cornerback position, especially with the familiarity Sutton has in Pittsburgh. However, injuries dictated how the Steelers' defense conducted business in 2023, so the more depth available in the secondary, the more confident Pittsburgh can be.
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Cornerback Ryan Watts makes a tackle during a game against West Virginia.
The majority of the NFL praised Pittsburgh's 2024 draft class, with every pick addressing a point of need. The team improved across the offensive line and at wide receiver, but one selection that Pittsburgh hopes will be a diamond in the rough is sixth-round pick Ryan Watts. In an interview during Pittsburgh's 2024 mandatory minicamp, Damontae Kazee spoke highly of Watts and the progress he's made already.
"He's been good, man, transforming to the safety, you know. Asking a lot of questions, he's doing great. He had a great practice today."
Watts began his collegiate career with Ohio State, playing in 17 games for the Buckeyes (2020 and 2021) with two interceptions, both during the 2021 season. He played the 2022 and 2023 with Texas, seeing action in 24 games. While his takeaway production was never what caught the eye (one in two seasons with Texas), the cornerback saw a big jump in tackling during his time with the Longhorns (89 tackles with Texas compared to 11 tackles with Ohio State).
In Pittsburgh, Watts won't be expected to contribute to any starting role, barring a slew of injuries, but his willingness to do whatever is asked gives him a shot at the regular-season roster. Despite playing cornerback throughout college, Watts began his positional transition in the East-West Shrine Bowl by moving to safety. The desire for depth and Watts' versatility have him fighting a promising but challenging battle to earn a spot among a mixture of experienced players and young potential.
Porter and Jackson will be the starting cornerbacks for the Steelers when 2024 kicks off, with Sutton filling the slot position after his reunion with the black and gold. Minkah Fitzpatrick will be back to roaming the field, with Kazee and DeShon Elliot creating a reliable revolving door to allow Fitzpatrick to do what makes him one of the best safeties in the NFL. Watts won't be leapfrogging any of those established athletes, but there is plenty of opportunity for competition among the depth players in the secondary.
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Cornerback Cory Trice Jr. after suffering a season-ending knee injury during the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2023 training camp.
Darius Rush and Cory Trice Jr. have little to no viable NFL experience. A devastating preseason injury ended Trice's rookie season, and Rush played in a handful of games in 2023. If safety is where Watts is heading, his competition will be against special teams standout Miles Killebrew for any kind of playing time. Like most late-round picks, Watts will have to earn his way by contributing on kick returns, but that is exactly how he made his mark during his two seasons with Texas.
Steelers Need Depth In 2024
Historically, the strength of the great Steelers teams has been built on the defensive side of the ball. While the Tommy Maddox "Tommy Gun" era was certainly a wild ride, Pittsburgh Super Bowls are won with a dominating, suffocating defense.
During a frustrating 2023 campaign, the Steelers had an offensive attack that struggled at best and often left the defense hung out to dry. To make matters worse, injuries destroyed the linebackers' room and kept out stars such as Fitzpatrick and Cameron Heyward for games at a time.
Texas Athletics
Defensive back Ryan Watts reacts after making a play for the Texas Longhorns.
While the new Arthur Smith offense is expected to carry its weight much more than any of Matt Canada's attempts did, the defense will still be the backbone of the 2024 roster. Injuries are a fact of life in the NFL, and when they strike, Pittsburgh needs to have the right people in the wings ready to hit the ground running. Watts knows the role he has to play for now, and the best way to prove what he can do is to take advantage of every single snap he is given.
What role will Ryan Watts play for the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers?
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