Tag: Ryan Watts

Steelers rookie DB done for the year

Ryan Watts suffered a stinger in the Steelers final preseason game.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected former Texas defensive back Ryan Watts in the 2024 NFL draft, we felt like the Steelers got a bargain. As training camp and the preseason went on, we cooled on Watts a bit but still felt like he had a shot to make the final 53-man roster.

Unfortunately, Watts suffered what head coach Mike Tomlin originally called a stinger in the team’s final preseason game but turned out to be much more than that. After seeing the team’s initial 53-man roster and Watt was absent, beat writer Gerry Dulac posted that the injury was significantly worse and Watts would miss the entire 2024 season.

The Steelers kept four safeties on the roster. Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott as the starters. Damontae Kazee and Miles Killebrew will serve as the only reserves on the roster.

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Steelers insider shares unfortunate outcome for rookie defenders

Pittsburgh Steelers seventh-round rookie defensive back Ryan Watts will spend his first season as a pro on injured reserve.

A pair of Pittsburgh Steelers defenders had their rookie seasons come to an end on Tuesday, as they were placed on injured reserve.

Defensive back Ryan Watts, a seventh-round pick, suffered a neck injury (stinger) in the Steelers preseason finale against the Lions. Julius Welschof, who joined the Steelers via the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, sustained a knee injury in the same game.

Watts’ injury produced a frightening moment as he lay face down on the field for several minutes. Eventually, he could get up and walk off under his own power.

Also on injured reserve are outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon and offensive tackle Dylan Cook, but both are designated to return (four games).

Moon, an undrafted free agent, spent the 2023 season with the Baltimore Ravens, recording 12 tackles and two forced fumbles in eight appearances.

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Steelers release defensive back Trenton Thompson

Thompson played well as a backup last season and even started one game.

On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced they had released backup defensive back Trenton Thompson. Thompson joined the Steelers in 2023 and was a solid contributor as an injury replacement. He appeared in 6 games as a special teamer and backup but also started one game at safety.

For the season, Thompson had 22 total tackles and an interception. He felt like a lock to make the final 53-man roster but this move makes us think the Steelers are happy enough with what they have in rookie Ryan Watts to make Thompson expendable.

Pittsburgh also released wide receiver Denzel Mims. The release of Mims got Steelers Nation’s attention peaked as many are still holding out hope that the Steelers are working on a big trade for an elite receiver like Brandon Aiyuk.

The Steelers have wrapped up OTAs and are now on a break until the team gets back together for training camp on July 24.

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Predicting the role for Steelers DB Ryan Watts

The Steelers signed Ryan Watts to his rookie contract on Saturday.

On Saturday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced the signing of three of the members of its 2024 NFL draft class. The Steelers announced they had signed both of their sixth-round picks, defensive end Logan Lee and defensive back Ryan Watts.

In Watts, the Steelers land a guy who struggled as a full-time cornerback but has the frame and measurables to convert to safety. Watts plays with a physical edge and intensity. He works well going downhill toward the line of scrimmage and in the box.

I don’t see Watts working as an NFL slot cornerback primarily because he struggles to diagnose plays quickly and is often a step behind in coverage.

So what does this mean for Watts role with Pittsburgh? Frankly, we don’t expect much from Watts on defense this season. But where he could have a significant impact is on special teams. He’s a hitter and with his size could be a force on coverage teams.

Prediction: Watts isn’t a lock to make the team but we will give him the benefit of the doubt. How often he dresses for games will depend on what he does on special teams this season.

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Steelers add former Ohio State player in NFL Draft

Steelers add a former Buckeye in the NFL Draft #GoBucks

With the No. 195 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers have taken Ryan Watts from the University of Texas, but as most Ohio State fans will know, Watts started his college career at The Ohio State University. Watts was originally a four-star cornerback commit from the great state of Texas in the Ohio State recruiting class of 2020 and big things were expected almost immediately since he enrolled on campus early.

Watts played two season as a Buckeye before electing to transfer to become a Longhorn and he actually saw the filed a considerable amount in Columbus, including his true freshman season, where Ohio State made an appearance in the national championship.

Watts started as a sophomore but towards the end of the season started to be pushed out of that starting rotation and elected to enter the transfer portal to head back home to Texas. Once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye, we wish Watts good luck!

Steelers select Texas DB Ryan Watts in sixth round of 2024 NFL draft

Texas is the first school to reach 10 NFL draft picks.

Texas defensive back Ryan Watts became the 10th Longhorn off the board in the 2024 NFL draft. Continue reading “Steelers select Texas DB Ryan Watts in sixth round of 2024 NFL draft”

Shane Steichen, Reggie Wayne attend Texas pro day

Some important Colts’ figures attended the Texas pro day.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen and wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne were in attendance at the NFL pro day for Texas ahead of the 2023 NFL draft.

While the Colts will have several scouts attending pro days and workouts leading up to April’s big event, it’s noteworthy when a head coach makes a trip.

It’s also notable that Wayne is in attendance considering the Longhorns have two fringe Round 1 receiver prospects in Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell.

While the wide receiver prospects will certainly garner the most attention for the Colts, there are several other prospects the team likely had an eye on during the pro day.

Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders is considered one of the top prospects at the position and likely a Day 2 pick. Defensive tackle Byron Murphy is expected to go in the first round while fellow defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat is a projected Day 2 selection.

Safety Ryan Watts also could be on Chris Ballard’s radar considering his elite RAS (9.84).

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6 options for the Saints to replace Marcus Maye at safety

The Saints will be replacing Marcus Maye at safety, but who are their choices? Between in-house options, draft prospects, and free agents, here are six candidates:

Here’s another challenge for the New Orleans Saints offense: replacing Marcus Maye at safety. It’s been reported that the Saints will release Maye at the start of the new league year on March 13, buying them time to make decisions on other players before filing his release with the league office.

Even if Maye’s availability was a concern (he missed a full 17-game season’s worth of time with injuries and a suspension through two years), the Saints still need to account for his loss in the secondary. Between in-house options, draft prospects, and free agents, here are six candidates to watch:

6 standouts from DB, TE workouts at 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

Which cornerbacks and tight ends stood out most on Day 2 in Indianapolis?

The Jacksonville Jaguars have made no secret that they want to add to their cornerback room. New defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen hinted at the need in his introductory press conference and general manager Trent Baalke was much less subtle when he said it’s “a group we need to address.”

Thus, there are plenty of cornerbacks — like Alabama’s Terrion Arnold, Clemson’s Nate Wiggins, and Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell — who could end up being the No. 17 overall pick in April. And all of those players were on display Friday at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

The Jaguars seem less inclined to add a tight end to their roster, but that position competed Friday as well. Here are six players who stood out in Day 2 at the combine:

Texas CB Ryan Watts runs a 4.53 40-yard dash at NFL combine

Ryan Watts had an impressive showing at the NFL combine.

Texas cornerback Ryan Watts had a strong showing at the NFL combine on Friday. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound defensive back displayed good speed in front of those scouting the measurable athletic performances.

Watts ran a respectable 4.53 40-yard dash which could come as a surprise to those who watched Texas this season. The former Ohio State transfer was viewed as a smart, physical corner who often got beat in downfield coverage.

The former Little Elm (TX) player seemed to be targeted several times downfield in Texas’ loss to the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff. Washington had its fair share of success targeting Watts downfield. While the cornerback was often close to making a play, the Huskies found a way to get the football past him to their receivers.

Watts’ struggles in 2023 were not necessarily for lack of speed. The 4.53 speed should provide some confidence about his potential to NFL teams looking for defensive backs.