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Grading Pittsburgh Steelers free agency moves so far in 2020

By Tommy Jaggi

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 11: Eric Ebron #85 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after catching a touchdown in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 11: Eric Ebron #85 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after catching a touchdown in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 15: Derek Watt #34 of the Los Angeles Chargers in game action in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 15: Derek Watt #34 of the Los Angeles Chargers in game action in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Signing Derek Watt: B-

I would love to buy into the conspiracy that signing Derek Watt is a ploy for a grand move to get all three Watt brothers together in Pittsburgh, but it’s just not feasible. Still, signing Derek could give added motivation for T.J. Watt to stick around for the long haul – possibly at a bit of a discounted cost.

Though Watt should be a solid candidate to replace Roosevelt Nix on offense and Tyler Matakevich on special teams, Derek is now the highest-paid fullback in the league – a position that is practically dead in today’s NFL.

On the flip side, even Matakevich made more money than Watt after signing with Buffalo, so if Derek can be close to the same player on special teams, perhaps the Steelers made a good move. Derek Watt is still 27 years old, and while he will never be the star of the show like his two brothers, he has a lot of football left in him.

At the very least, he brings a gritty, hard-nosed presence to the run game and to Pittsburgh’s special teams coverage. He should prove to be a solid signing.

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