If the offensive line can perform at any kind of acceptable level this season, the Steelers have plenty of skill position players that could do considerable damage.
With a future Hall of Fame quarterback, a quartet of veteran receivers, a first round running back and another promising rookie at tight end the only problem (besides the aforementioned OL) could be who best to distribute the football.
Could you imagine if they have to get the ball to a fullback as well? If this week's training camp is any indication, they just might.
Monday, out of nowhere (actually the backfield), Derek Watt started making plays, blocking and opening holes in goal line drills and actually catching a pass for a long gain. Then Tuesday he was at it again, catching two more passes, including a nifty one-handed grab.
What is going on here?
"We intend, potentially, to use that position more than we have in the past or at least the recent past," Mike Tomlin said, "and the plays that he makes and the skill set that he shows will kind of dictate some of that discussion."
"(Monday) was big," Watt agreed. "I did some work at tight end in individual drills and I got involved in the offense in short yardage goal line day. I'd better be involved in short yardage goal line day; otherwise what am I doing?"
Watt may have been only half-joking since the only "touch" he had in the regular season was when he tackled Denver punter Sam Martin in the end zone for a safety in week two. He finally carried the ball twice in that ugly playoff game to little avail – he gained 2 yards. In 13 games Watt was on the field for a total of 54 snaps, a little over 4 per game or 5 percent of the offensive plays.
That may change in 2021. On the second play of Monday's11-on-11, Watt was wide open down the sideline for a big gain. "It's a wheel route but it's not like the ball is going to me by any means," Watt said. "I don't even know if I'm the first read but when they don't cover you … Ben said he looked out there and thought he didn't see it properly because I was wide open."
He did it again Tuesday – twice – and hopes that trend continues. "If there is a chance to go out for a route, I'm definitely excited, always ready for the ball," Watt smiled, "Any chance I get to catch a ball, it's definitely a bonus for me."
Now, with Matt Canada calling the plays, it's looking like he will get more chances. There is a brief history. "I was with Coach Canada for a year at Wisconsin so I'm very familiar with him and (running backs coach Eddie) Faulkner. He was at Wisconsin as well, so I have familiarity with both of them."
Canada remembers. "I think Derek's a really, really good player, Canada said during mini-camp. "Our job as a staff is to find the matchups and where they are and I think he definitely fits into that in certain weeks and having that luxury gives us a lot of options."
All that is music to Watt's ears. "No question it's about matchups," he said this week. "Some schemes work better against certain teams based on structure or personnel. There could be a game where you play a ton and others not so much."
"I know when he was at Pitt and other places that he definitely used my role a good amount," Watt continued. "I've got a good feel for it so just excited to see how it pans out."
Watt's never really got untracked in his first season with the Steelers even before he was set back because of a hamstring injury. But it appears there is at least a chance he will actually be a part of the offense in 2021.
