The Pittsburgh Steelers were extremely active in the first week of NFL Free Agency, making additions and trades seemingly left and right. However, the second week of free agency saw the Steelers take a wait-and-see approach and not make any moves. In the third week, the Steelers picked up the pace, and made four “reported” signings in just two days.

The Steelers added three players on Monday, and one on Tuesday, so it felt right to give fans a background on these players who were added so they have an idea as to who they have acquired on the open market.

Let’s take a look at the players acquired…

Quez Watkins

A sixth-round draft pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles out of Southern Miss, Watkins only appeared in six games as a rookie as he began the season on injured reserve. In the next two seasons, Watkins appeared in all 34 games with 20 starts and in 2021 had his career best yardage of 647 receiving yards on 43 receptions. In 2022, Watkins saw fewer receptions (33) and yards (354) but had his career high in touchdowns for a season with three. Last season, Watkins appeared in nine games with five starts and had 15 receptions for 142 yards in a touchdown.

In 2023, Watkins lined up in the slot 60% of his snaps according to Pro Football Focus. The previous season Watkins lined up 70% of the snaps in the slot.

Additionally, Watkins has spent time as a kick returner for the Eagles over the last three seasons. In all, Watkins had 14 returns for 200 yards with an average of 14.3 yards per return.

Kyle Allen

Allen was undrafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Houston. Allen stayed in Carolina, and played for an injured Cam Newton, until 2020 when he was traded to the Washington Commanders for a 5th Round draft pick. In Washington he saw playing time, and was eventually signed by the Houston Texans in 2022 on a one-year deal. Last year he backed up Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills, also signing a one-year deal.

It is expected Allen will be the QB3 on the Steelers depth chart heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.

Career Stats:

30 games, 19 starts, 7–12 record, 441 completions, 704 attempts, 62.6 rating, 4,734 yards, 6.7 average, 53 long, 26 TDs, 21 INTs, 82.2 rating

Dean Lowry

Lowry was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 2016 NFL Draft in the 4th Round out of Northwestern. He played solely for the Packers until he signed a two-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings in 2023. However, his stint with the Vikings was short-lived after he tore his pectoral muscle against Denver last season, finishing the year on Injured Reserve. Due to his injury, he was released in March of 2024.

Lowry is expected to compete as a back-up along the defensive line and be proven depth behind starters like Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi and Keeanu Benton.

Career Stats

120 games, 84 starts, 266 combined tackles, 143 solo, 123 assisted, 15.5 sacks, 17 PD, 1 INT, 1 FF, 5 FR, 1 TD

Cordarrelle Patterson

He was former first round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2013 NFL Draft and has played 11 NFL seasons for 5 different teams. He spent the last three seasons in Atlanta where he had 1,429 rushing yards on 347 attempts and 14 touchdowns. But last season he only had 50 attempts for 181 yards and no touchdowns. Patterson also had 82 receptions for 708 yards and six touchdowns with the Falcons. Patterson was a First Team All-Pro as a kick returner in his two seasons with the Vikings in 2016, as well as with the Chicago Bears in 2019 and 2020.

Patterson is considered the ultimate Swiss Army Knife player who can catch the ball, run the ball and return the ball. He now joins a deep arsenal of offensive weapons for the Steelers and someone who is familiar with what Smith wants to do on offense. With the NFL altering their kickoff rules to include kickoffs back into the game, Patterson could be a valuable asset for the team with his nine kickoff return touchdowns of his career.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of the offseason and the 2024 NFL Draft.