The Steelers close their draft by taking a cornerback
With the 195th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Texas cornerback Ryan Watts.
Watts was only targeted 34 times in 422 defensive snaps in 2023, allowing just one touchdown on the season. He has a massive frame for a cornerback at 6-foot-3, and a very willing tackler off the edge in the run game. He also only missed one tackle in 2023.
The Steelers needed to add depth in the secondary. They have only two cornerbacks behind Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson. Cory Trice, who is still basically a rookie after missing all of last season with a torn ACL, and Darius Rush is heading into his second year.
Watts is a guy that may also get a look at moving to safety. But he is tall, he is fast for his height (he ran a 4.53 40-yard dash) and he is a willing tackler that the Steelers can use when stacking the box.