Steelers' New Cornerback Craves The Challenge Of Earning His Spot: 'Will Give Everything He Has'

The Pittsburgh Steelers had their choice of cornerbacks throughout the 2024 NFL Draft but only ended up selecting one at the end of the seven rounds. Ryan Watts, a former cornerback for the University of Texas, was drafted by Pittsburgh with the 195th overall pick; the Steelers' second sixth-round selection. Watts' college coach isn't just excited for the standout Longhorns' player to be vying for an NFL spot; he believes the fit between the Steelers and the cornerback is perfect.

Head coach for Texas, Steve Sarkisian, saw what Watts could do on the football field during the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Longhorns. Joe Cook of InsideTexas covered what Sarkisian said after Watts got selected by the Steelers, and the coach had plenty of reasons why he saw Pittsburgh as the ideal landing spot for Watts.

“The Pittsburgh Steelers have long been known for their physical defense, and they made a great choice in Ryan Watts as a player to help carry on that tradition...The Steelers got them a great player who is all about being a great teammate who will give everything he has to help the team win. I know [Mike] Tomlin and everyone in Pittsburgh will love Ryan, and I’m excited to see him in the NFL. He has a bright future as a player and is a tremendous person as well.”

Sarkisian continued, getting specific about why Watts can become a contributor on the Steelers' defense sooner rather than later. It isn't just Watts' size, it's how he attacks the game and is willing to do whatever is asked. Those are all traits that do well in Pittsburgh, which could spell good things for Watts.

"He is a long, big, physical corner who did great things for us. He’s a guy we played into the boundary and really put him one-on-one with a lot of teams’ best receivers there... He’s also a physical player in the run game who has pass rushing ability, blitzing from the corner spot. He’s very effective in the run game, as well as pressuring the quarterback, combined with having the length to force people to make contested catches in the passing game. Those are all attributes that are going to translate well to the NFL. Any time you’ve got the size, speed, and skills that he possesses, there’s always going to be a market for that guy at the second level."

It is clear that Watts made quite an impression on his former college head coach. The question is whether he can get those skills to translate to the NFL level. If Watts proves capable of that, then he can get a foothold in Pittsburgh and earn the time to show everyone exactly what he can do. The Steelers need another cornerback to step up and become a starter for the future, and while it would be a tall task for Watts to take that position, he certainly is hungry enough to go after it.

Steelers Seeking Cornerback Duo

When the Steelers drafted Joey Porter Jr. with their second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, they believed they were locking down one side of the field for the next decade. After a sensational rookie season, it appears as if Pittsburgh was right. Now the goal is to find another dynamic, shutdown defender to pair alongside Porter Jr. that can give opposing offenses nightmares.

The Diontae Johnson trade brought Donte Jackson to the team, and they have Darius Rush and Cory Trice Jr., who is coming off a nasty knee injury suffered during the 2023 training camp. While Jackson will enter camp as the assumed starter beside Porter Jr., it is up to Rush and Trice Jr. to prove to the Steelers that they don't have to look outside the team. Pittsburgh chose to avoid spending a high 2024 draft pick on a cornerback, instead giving an opportunity to anyone who truly wants to take it.