Pittsburgh Review

It was a challenging year for several Pittsburgh Steelers rookies in 2024, with many missing the season due to injuries. Defensive back Ryan Watts was among those affected.

Watts, one of the Steelers' two sixth-round draft picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, sustained a season-ending injury during the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, which kept him out for the entire 2024 season.

Selected as the 195th overall pick, Watts transferred from Ohio State to Texas, where he played two seasons. During his time with the Longhorns, he participated in 24 games and started in 23. He recorded a total of 89 tackles, with 63 being solo efforts. Additionally, he had five tackles for loss, seven passes defensed, one interception, and one sack.

Coach Mike Tomlin expressed his appreciation for Watts when he was drafted: "Just his body of work," said Tomlin. "He's a long guy. He runs well. He's got position flexibility. He plays with an edge. So those are some of the real tangible reasons why."

In 2023, Watts achieved 38 tackles—30 solo—in 11 games and added three passes defensed along with a tackle for loss.

In 2022, he received honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition by league coaches and earned an honorable mention All-Big 12 Defensive Newcomer Player of the Year honor. That same year, he was named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team and included on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (spring 2022).

Watts spoke about his versatility: "I could fit anywhere, really," he said regarding his position flexibility. "I feel with my size and my speed and moving my body. I feel like not a lot of 6-3 corners can move like I can. So, to be able to just keep developing. I feel like I can be played at safety, nickel, corner. I feel like I can just maximize my potential anywhere."

Before joining Texas, Watts spent two seasons at Ohio State where he appeared in 19 games and contributed to winning a Big Ten Championship and a Sugar Bowl Championship while also making an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in 2020.