The Pittsburgh Steelers roster should be considered much improved over what it looked like ahead of the 2023 season. There have been upgrades at cornerback, quarterback, inside linebacker, center, and safety. However, one position got worse: Wide Receiver. General Manager Omar Khan traded away Diontae Johnson before making some free agent signings to fill the void at the position. Now the position group is full of receivers on the edge of the roster that are all trying to make the final 53.
Sebastian Foltz / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Quez Watkins stands with his hands on his hips at OTAs.
One receiver who is fighting to make the final roster is Quez Watkins, who struggled mightily in the Steelers first preseason game on Friday night. He didn't produce at all in the passing game, and misjudged two punts as the returner. One of these was muffed and recovered by the Houston Texans, which put them in an easy spot to score. Watkins was probably on the outside of the final 53 ahead of Sunday's practice, but ESPN's Brooke Pryor reported that he put together an impressive showing to make up for several blunders during the game.
Quez Watkins atoning for the rough outing as a punt returner on Friday in today’s practice.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 11, 2024
He just came down with a deep shot from Justin Fields. Probably traveled about 50 yards in the air.
Watkins is an interesting player. He had a decent amount of success while he was with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was used as a gadget player and was lethal in the screen game. There is an explosive side to his game, as long as he isn't making the errors that fans saw from him on Friday night.
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Receiver Quez Watkins runs with the ball during a game with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ideally, if a receiver is making the final roster as the fifth or sixth receiver, they should also be able to make an impact on special teams. Due to Watkins' frame, it's better if he is used as a returner rather than a defender on special teams - which is exactly why the muffed punt hurt his chances. Muffed punts take a possession away from the team, and typically set up the opponent with near perfect field possession. Watkins made more plays during practice on Sunday in order to redeem himself.
Justin Fields hits Quez Watkins for a 16-yard TD to end the two-min drill.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 11, 2024
Quick six-play drive started on the 40 with 1:38 to go. Fields went 5/5 and had a 6-yard run. Efficient drive for what was mostly the first-team offense.
Two minute drills are high pressure situations, and Watkins was able to make plays. He and Justin Fields had a pretty good connection going on Sunday, which may be able to carry over into the Steelers next preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Ahead of Sunday's practice it was looking like a sure thing that Watkins would be released, maybe even before the end of camp. Now he might have bought himself some more time due to his strong showing.
Sebastian Foltz / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Van Jefferson catches a ball during OTAs.
Steelers' Receivers Have Been Stepping Up During Training Camp
Aside from George Pickens, there are a lot of question marks in the wide receiver room. Pittsburgh is still in the midst of trade talks to acquire more help at the position in Brandon Aiyuk, but it's fair to say most are pleasantly surprised with what they have seen from the receivers. Van Jefferson has had a good camp and broken out as a top candidate for the second wide receiver spot. Roman Wilson was starting to heat up before spraining his ankle.
Calvin Austin III and Scotty Miller led the team in receiving in the first preseason game, and now Watkins is starting to bounce back. If no new additions are made, the coaching staff may have a hard decision to make when it comes to filling out the receiver room on the final roster.
What do you think about the performance from Watkins? Let us know in the comments below!
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