When the Steelers signed Derek Watt to a three-year, $9.75-million contract, many assumed it was done because the team wanted to get back to using a fullback more than it had in previous seasons.
After all, his predecessor, Roosevelt Nix, had never played more than 181 snaps in a season, serving more as a specialty player and special teams ace.
The problem by the end of Nix's five-year run with the team was that he had a knee injury that wasn't going to get better, prompting the Steelers to sign Watt.
If anything, however, Watt has been less of a factor on offense than Nix was.
In two seasons, he's played 52 and 86 offensive snaps. In 2020 that was because he struggled with knee and concussion issues that limited him to 12 games. But Watt played all 17 games in 2021 and still managed to be on the field for just 7 percent of the team's offensive snaps.
But the Steelers now not only have Watt on their roster. They added Connor Heyward in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, giving them two players with a similar fullback-type skillset, let alone two players with prominent brothers on the team in T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward.
It seems they have a definitive plan to use a fullback this season. Of course, that assumes they use Heyward as a fullback.
Though he's 5-foot-11 and 233 pounds, the Steelers initially will have him work with the team's tight ends. He'll also be wearing No. 83, which is a tight end, not a fullback, number.
"I know he's done some things, positional flexibility things, and when I saw him as a tight end, I had an opportunity to look at him as a tight end guy and he offered some value," said Steelers tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts. "I knew he could be an outstanding [special] teams player, but right now we get a chance to focus on him being a tight end and fitting in with the rest of the guys."
The rest of the guys in the tight end room would be starter Pat Freiermuth, backup Zach Gentry and Kevin Rader and former Packers third-round draft pick Jace Sternberger.
Freiermuth and Gentry's jobs would seem pretty secure. But the Steelers are looking for a third tight end. Rader is a smaller version of Gentry, more of a blocker than a receiver, while Sternberger is more of a receiving tight end.
Though Heyward is undersized for the position, the Steelers feel they'll be able to use him as an in-line blocker and in space. And then perhaps some day as an H-back/fullback.
But for now, Watt is the team's fullback and Heyward is a tight end, despite their similar skillsets and size.
"Similar, but he played more of a true fullback where Connor gives, in my opinion, a different flex and tight end responsibility and he just gives you that value," Roberts said.
But, Heyward when queried about what he'll be asked to do, did mention that he'll be learning to play fullback, as well -- eventually.
"I know my position. Tight end and fullback, and special teams is an important thing," Heyward said. "At Michigan State, I played special teams, around three or four special team units a year. So, I know what it takes to be successful on special teams, and special teams can keep you in the NFL longer. You can’t shy away from that."
That is Watt's main job, as well. Though he has played sparingly on offense, he's a mainstay on the Steelers' special teams units. Only Ulysees Gilbert (337) and Miles Killebrew (335) played more special teams snaps for the Steelers in 2021 than Watt's 332.
He's also the team's special teams captain.
There's also a feeling the team could be looking to incorporate a fullback into its offense more than it has in previous seasons.
Offensive coordinator Matt Canada used fullback George Aston extensively when he was the coordinator at Pitt in 2016. Aston got 22 carries and had 22 receptions in 2016 in addition to being a good lead blocker for James Conner.
But Canada inherited Aston in his only season at Pitt. Most college teams don't have a true fullback on their roster.
Heck, only about half of the teams in the NFL have one. Could the Steelers actually carry two?
Well, there's actually a pretty good chance.
Trey Edmunds has spent most of the past two seasons on the team's practice squad, but has been activated on game days six times. Edmunds is actually now listed as a fullback after initially being a true running back his first couple of seasons with the team.
Heyward played running back, tight end and h-back at Michigan State. Regardless what position room he calls home, he's a football player first and foremost.
The Steelers will try to figure out ways to use Watt and/or Heyward if both deserve roster spots.
"We imagine that he could be an offensive contributor and on (special) teams, and so he was very worthy of that consideration," Mike Tomlin said of using the draft pick on Heyward.
