Steelers add CB Ryan Watts with their final pick in the 2024 NFL Draft

With the 195th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Texas cornerback, Ryan Watts. Omar Khan finally added a CB with Pittburgh's final selection in the draft, and there's a lot to be intrigued by.

Watt's has unmatched size and length at the CB position. At 6'2 7/8'' and 208 pounds with incredible 34 1/2'' arms, Watts instantly becomes one of the biggest cornerbacks in the NFL. In fact, he's taller, longer, and heavier than Joey Porter Jr. (who was taken by Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2023 draft).

Watts, a former four-star recruit coming out of high school, began his college career as a cornerback at Ohio State. After seeing limited action in his first two seasons, he entered the transfer portal and wound up with the Texas Longhorns in 2022.

Over the past two seasons in the Big 12, Watts racked up 89 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 6 passes defended, and an interception, per Sports Reference. Watts was a better run defender than he was in coverage during his college career.

Where does Ryan Watts fit on the Steelers' roster?

Anytime you take a player this late in the NFL Draft, the hope is that they can make the team. While Ryan Watts has undeniable size and length and looks the part at cornerback, he's going to have to make his living on special teams as a rookie if he wants to stick around on the Steelers roster in 2024 and beyond.

If Watts can continue to develop and improve his consistency in coverage, there could be a role as a subpackage defensive back for him in the future. His biggest competition may come against other young cornerbacks with size and athletic traits like Cory Trice Jr. and Darius Rush.

Unfortunately, Watts will not fill the role Steelers fans were hoping to see filled at slot cornerback. They will have to look for outside help at this position if they are not willing to move Donte Jackson to the slot late in his NFL career.

Ryan Watts is not guaranteed to make the final roster in Pittsburgh, but his impressive physique and athletic traits will give him a fighting chance to stick around if he has a good rookie training camp.