Film: Derek Watt Brings Tenacity, Versatility to Steelers
The Steelers have some more wattage in the building. They signed Derek Watt, brother of star outside linebacker T.J. Watt, to a three-year deal on Tuesday. It came as a shock, as the Steelers had vested interest already in the fullback position with Roosevelt Nix.
However, the Steelers are also reeling from the loss of special teams captain Tyler Matakevich, who led the NFL in special teams tackles. The signing of Watt not only corresponds with the emphasis president Art Rooney II placed on improving the running game but also upholding the special teams unit. Watt tied Matakevich for the lead league in special teams tackles and is an upgrade over Nix in that regard.
This is what you get with Watt. He is usually is a split-back on the punt coverage unit the Chargers had. The key with him on special teams was how sure of a tackler he is and how fast he gets the alley. Watt knows how to avoid blocks while flying down the field. He seems to always be in a position to make a tackle away from the traffic and towards the return man. On special teams, you really want to see the ball and then find the ball. Watt does that masterfully, as he does here to close quickly on the returner.
This is the same deal. Watt has a hot motor and flies from the backside of this return to come back and make this tackle, even after a good blocker on the edge to stop the all-out blitz that the Raiders sent. He finds the ball, goes straight to the ball carrier while avoiding traffic, and makes the tackle. This is great technical special teams play. Watt is going to add a lot to that unit at the very least.
However, then what about Watt’s ability to be a fullback? Can he actually block well and be an asset when being that lead blocker?
From the film, yes. Watt plays with intensity and is an absolute battering ram coming downhill towards defenders. His highlights as a blocker are nothing but fun as he clears alleys with ease. Something I have seen that has impressed is his mobility, as well. He moves extremely well for a fullback. The Chargers had him pulling and kicking out defensive ends.
This is one of those examples. Watt gets an absolute head of steam downhill as the puller and obliterates the defensive back coming into the alley to open this play up for Melvin Gordon. The mentality and tenacity Watt shows on this play to bully defenders in the open field is exactly why he is a great fit for the Steelers smash-mouth running style. It is fun to watch him do this consistently. He was a key cog in the Chargers running game when on the field and made a significant difference with blocks like this.
This run won the game for the Chargers in overtime and Watt blew this hole wide open as a lead blocker. Austin Ekeler is able to bounce this back all because Watt engages the linebacker and drives him out of the gap. He has impressive functional strength that allows him to drive guys right off their spot and open up these lanes for running backs. James Conner is going to love running behind a guy like Watt that can do this. With Conner’s ability to read and react to the second level of the defense, Watt can make a big difference.
One of the more intriguing parts of Watt’s game is his receiving ability. The Chargers did not use him a ton in that role, but his hands are soft and he can be used in this part of the offense. Like here, where shows off good hands and creates for himself by breaking a tackle and lowering his shoulder into a defender. He is a tone-setter even in the passing game. That is something the Steelers will always value. I think they could use him in the play-action game and get him out into the flats. Think of how the Patriots used James Develin and I think that is what we could see from Watt here. The bottom line is he can fill multiple roles and does them all well. Watt is a very solid signing and will contribute in multiple ways for the Steelers.
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