The Steelers signed former Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins in free agency, adding another veteran to their group.
A player whose game is predicated on speed, Watkins ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine coming out of Southern Mississippi University in 2020.
He also had a very solid 36 ½-inch vertical jump and 10-5 in the broad jump, which helps show just how explosive a prospect he was.
In four seasons with the Eagles, Watkins caught 98 passes for 1,249 yards and 6 touchdowns, largely serving as Philadelphia's No. 3 receiver behind A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith. His best season came in 2021 when he caught 43 passes for 647 yards and one touchdown. He had an NFL-best 91-yard catch that season against the 49ers.
In his career, Watkins has appeared in 49 games, starting 25.
See photos of Steelers newly-signed WR Quez Watkins
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) carries the ball during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Mass. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) runs the football after a catch during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Chicago. The Eagles defeated the Bears, 25-20. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) catches a pass during warm-ups prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Arlington, TX. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 33-13. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) runs a route during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles, 20-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) smiles against the Houston Texans during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Houston. The Eagles defeated the Texans, 29-17. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) catches a pass during warm-ups prior to an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers defeated the Eagles 32-9. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) makes a catch for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants defeated the Eagles 27-10. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) in action during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday Jan. 15, 2024 in Tampa, Fla. (Tom DiPace via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) runs after the catch during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass. The Eagles won 25-20. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
• Dale Lolley is co-host of "SNR Drive" on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast
Watkins (6-0, 193 pounds) has aligned both in the slot and outside, but has more experience working in the slot. In his career, 64 percent of his snaps have come out of the slot, with the other 34 percent coming on the outside.
He's excelled at getting yards after the catch. Of his 1,249 career yards, 513 have come after the catch, and he averages 5.3 yards after the catch per reception.
Watkins will join a wide receiver group that also has seen the Steelers add Van Jefferson in free agency. They will compete with a group that includes Calvin Austin, Marquez Callaway and Denzel Mims as players with NFL starting experience.
"We have some players we feel good about," said Steelers GM Omar Khan. "I think one thing about it, and I don't want to speak for our coaches specifically, but I think they will do things and adjust things based on who the receivers are at that position."
