Patriots add depth on the defensive line
Defensive tackle Armon Watts and the New England Patriots have agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million, according to NFL Networks's Tom Pelissero. Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reported the terms.
The 6-foot-5, 307-pound defensive veteran will provide the Patriots with backend depth. New England released Lawrence Guy before the new league year began.
Watts will join his third team in three years at 27. He entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2019. Watts played three seasons with the Vikings before joining the Chicago Bears and then the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Last season, he recorded 15 tackles in 15 games with three quarterback hits on 273 snaps. As a rotational depth piece for the Steelers, he recorded his lowest snap count since his 2019 rookie year when he had 121 snaps.
The Patriots defensive line currently includes Christian Barmore and Davin Godchaux. Godchaux, like Watts, will become a free agent after next season.