Patriots 90-Man Roster Spotlight: Armon Watts

The New England Patriots can have up to 90 players under contract during the offseason. Patriots Football Now will profile all 90 players (though there are currently 91 on the roster) over the upcoming months. Today’s featured player is offensive tackle Armon Watts.

The Minnesota Vikings selected Watts in the sixth round (No. 190 overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. Although none of New England’s 10 draft picks from 2019 remain with the team, Watts does join five other players from that 2019 draft on the 2024 Patriots 90-man roster: Jahlani Tavai, Trysten Hill, Sione Takitaki, Oshane Ximines, and Michael Jordan.

Watts played collegiately for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Among his college teammates were New England captains Hunter Henry and Deatrich Wise Jr.

Minnesota kept Watts for three seasons before waiving him before the 2022 season. Chicago claimed him off waivers. He spent one season each with the Bears (2022) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2023).

Also Read – Patriots 90-Man Roster Spotlight: Ja’Whaun Bentley

Armon Watts has played in 72 games over his five NFL seasons. He played in 57 consecutive games before being inactive for Week 1 of the 2023 season. He has recorded 140 tackles (63 solo) with 18 tackles for a loss during his career. He’s amassed 18 QB hits and 8.5 sacks.

Watts’ most productive season came in 2021 with the Vikings. He finished the season with 46 tackles (20 solo), 10 QB hits, and 5.0 sacks.

#Steelers new DL Armon Watts. Solid option to stick as a rotational piece in 2023. Pass rush ability on display. pic.twitter.com/KLKeyHM2vp

— Steelers Network (@SteelersNetwork) April 11, 2023

Pro Football Focus gave Watts a 77.3 grade in 2023. It marked the best grade of his NFL career. Even in 2021, statistically his best season on paper, Watts received only a 61.6.

Armon Watts signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots earlier this offseason. His cap hit is $2.16 million, but only $800,000 was guaranteed and would count as dead money against the cap if he is not on the 53-man roster.

Defensive Tackles Group

The New England Patriots have seven defensive tackles heading to training camp. The unit includes Christian Barmore, Davon Godchux, Armon Watts, Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Sam Roberts, and Trysten Hill.

Outlook for Armon Watts

Pro Football Focus named Watts the free agent the Pittsburgh Steelers could not afford to lose. At 6-foot-5 and 307 pounds, Watts provides excellent size on the inside. Last season was his highest-graded campaign stopping the run. New England signed Watts soon after releasing veteran Lawrence Guy Sr., so there is likely an expectation Watts can fill Guy’s role on the roster.

It is unclear how many players from this group the Patriots plan to keep on the initial 53-man roster. Last season’s original roster included Barmore, Godchaux, Ekuale, and Roberts. Lawrence Guy and defensive ends Deatrich Wise Jr. and Keion White were also included.

Armon Watts appears to have the inside track on a roster spot for 2024. Coming off a productive season in Pittsburgh, he was targeted by the new regime with the New England Patriots to come to Foxboro. His contract and cap hit would not prevent the team from moving on from Watts if he has a poor showing in training camp but as of now, there is every reason to believe he is part of the team’s roster plans for 2024.