The Chicago Bears claimed Armon Watts off waivers. While the team claimed six players, three of them are rookie UDFAs, so Watts being one of the three with NFL experience makes him one of the most notable additions.
What can the Bears expect to see from Armon Watts now that he is no longer with the division rival Vikings, and officially with the Bears?
5. Where Armon Watts lines up
During the rookie season of Armon Watts, he played almost exclusively as a nose tackle. However, as time has moved on, he has moved a bit closer to the B-gap as a three-technique. Last season he played a career-high in snaps, mainly because of an injury to Michael Pierce. That gave him the chance to move around the line as well, from the 1-technique to the 3-technique.
According to PFF, Armon Watts played 55.6% of his career snaps as a three-technique, with 31.9% coming as a one-tech or a nose at the zero. He also spent 12.4% of his snaps outside at the five-technique or even further away from the snap.
When you look at the Chicago Bears depth chart, they likely want him to get work at both the 3-tech, and the 1-tech. The team waived Khiyris Tonga as a result of adding Watts. The move is not surprising in some regard, the first being that Ryan Pace drafted Tonga, and Ryan Poles is clearly not a Pace fan.
Still, Tonga is a pure-nose tackle. While Watts was likely signed because he brings more versatility, on top of being more experienced, the snaps Watts may be looking at could be at nose tackle.
Still, in most cases, they will run two defensive line sets, and it will likely be Justin Jones at the 1-tech, and Angelo Blackson at the 3. Then, Watts will play whichever compliments who is on the field. This is something Tonga simply could not do. Then, in goal line situations you may see Watts lined up right over the center. He will get his snaps worth.