On Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers unveiled their latest addition to the roster: the speedy former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, Quez Watkins. This announcement comes as the second acquisition in the wide receiver position following the trade of their star wide out, Diontae Johnson. Van Jefferson, formerly of the Los Angeles Rams, was the first addition. These signings bolster the Steelers' receiver corps with two valuable depth pieces.
Philadelphia Inquirer reporter EJ Smith recently joined the latest episode of the Chipped Ham and Football podcast alongside Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Steelers reporter, Brian Batko. Smith provided insights to Steelers fans about Watkins' potential, drawing from his four seasons covering him in Philadelphia.
"You'll notice immediately from him that he's got elite NFL speed. He is a field stretcher. He's the type of guy who can take the top off of a defense and that was why he had a role in the Eagles' receiving corps.”
Standing at six feet tall and weighing 193 pounds, Watkins has earned the nickname "Fast Batman" for his exceptional speed on the field. At 25 years old, he was drafted by the Eagles in the 6th round (200th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.
"Even after A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, once that duo was formed, he was still a meaningful member of the wide receiver corps because of what he could threaten the defense with, which was his long speed."
Over the course of four seasons in Philadelphia, Watkins showcased his talents, appearing in 49 games and starting in 25 of them. During this time, he was targeted 147 times, securing 98 receptions for 1,249 receiving yards and scoring six touchdowns.
"I understand why the Steelers might wanna take a flyer on a guy like him. Again, he's got good physical traits. He's someone who can make explosive plays down the field, maybe not as consistently as you might want, but I do think that he has some intriguing attributes at least."
Despite displaying flashes of promise, Watkins found himself on the sidelines more often during the 2023 season, leading to a decline in his reps. However, the majority of his production came during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Despite this setback, Watkins remains a talented wide receiver with untapped potential. With a fresh start in Pittsburgh, there's optimism that the Steelers can help him fully realize his capabilities as a receiver.
Smith, who covered Watkins during his tenure in Philadelphia, is particularly enthusiastic about the Steelers' newest acquisition, expressing confidence that Watkins can thrive in his new environment.
Watkins is expected to vie for playing time with the emerging young wide receiver, Calvin Austin III. Both players exhibit a similar style of football, characterized by their speed and agility, although Watkins holds a height advantage and boasts more experience. With his attributes and skill set, Watkins stands a solid chance of garnering more targets in Pittsburgh than he did during his stint with the Eagles in 2023.
Steelers Have Built Depth At WR But Still Need One More Starter
Initially, the Steelers were rumored to be eyeing another wide receiver, with Gerry Dulac hinting at a potential significant acquisition. However, as time progresses, this possibility seems to be dwindling, leading the team to shift their focus towards the upcoming draft.
There's speculation that they might opt to utilize their first-round pick to select a wide receiver. With a plethora of talented wideouts available in the draft, the Steelers have ample options to bolster their roster. They'll be seeking a player to complement George Pickens, who made an impressive impact in his first year.
Pittsburgh hopes to replicate this success with their upcoming draft pick, aiming to secure a skilled wide receiver to pair with Pickens. Additionally, addressing the center position early in the draft could solidify their offseason endeavors. Steeler Nation eagerly anticipates the team's draft choices and anxiously await the additions that will further strengthen the squad.
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