Armon Watts Bio
Armon Watts is an American professional football defensive tackle born on July 22, 1996, in St. Louis, Missouri. Standing 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and listed at 295 lb (134 kg), he has built a career in the National Football League as an interior defensive lineman since 2019. Over the course of his professional journey, Watts has suited up for multiple organizations across the league and continues to compete at the highest level of American football.
Selected in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, Watts entered the league after playing college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He has since contributed on defensive lines for the Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and the New York Giants, establishing himself as a reliable rotational defender.
Early Life and Background
Armon Watts was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where he developed his early passion for the sport of football. Growing up in a region with a deep football culture, he was introduced to the game at a young age and pursued the sport through his school years with consistency and dedication.
He attended Christian Brothers College High School in Town and Country, Missouri, a program recognized for producing competitive athletes. During his high school career, Watts worked to refine the size, strength, and technique that would later define his approach on the defensive line. His performances at Christian Brothers College helped lay the groundwork for his eventual college recruitment.
Beyond athletics, Watts focused on building the discipline and work ethic required to compete at higher levels. The combination of physical development and mental preparation during these formative years positioned him for the next stage of his football journey.
Path to American Football
Following his high school career, Armon Watts committed to the University of Arkansas, where he played for the Arkansas Razorbacks from 2014 through 2018. College football in the Southeastern Conference provided him with a demanding environment, pitting him against top-tier offensive linemen week after week.
During his time with the Razorbacks, Watts developed into a capable interior defender, gradually expanding his role within the defensive rotation. The SEC schedule and the physical style of play within the conference helped him transition from a developmental prospect into an NFL-ready defensive tackle.
His collegiate progression caught the attention of NFL scouts, ultimately leading to his selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. Watts’s path from St. Louis to Arkansas and into professional football reflects a steady, step-by-step rise built on consistent improvement.
Armon Watts Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Armon Watts began his professional career with the Minnesota Vikings after being selected in the sixth round (190th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impression in his very first NFL game on November 10, 2019, combining with teammate Everson Griffen to sack Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in a 28-24 Sunday Night Football win.
Later that season, on December 31, 2019, Watts was placed on injured reserve, interrupting his rookie campaign. In 2020, he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on August 4 and activated two days later, navigating the unique challenges of that season. He remained with the Vikings through the 2021 season before being waived on August 30, 2022.
Minnesota Vikings Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Watts spent the first three seasons of his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings, where he grew into a rotational role along the defensive line. His first career sack against the Cowboys remains a memorable early highlight and signaled his potential as a pass rusher from the interior.
Throughout his tenure in Minnesota, Watts contributed on both run defense and passing downs, developing his craft under the Vikings’ defensive staff. The experience he gained during these years shaped his understanding of professional defensive schemes and prepared him for subsequent opportunities around the league.
Chicago Bears Era (2022)
On August 31, 2022, shortly after being waived by the Vikings, Armon Watts was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears. The move gave him a fresh opportunity to compete for a roster spot within a different defensive system.
Watts spent the 2022 season with the Bears, adding depth to their interior defensive line. His brief stint in Chicago allowed him to demonstrate his versatility and continue building on the foundation established during his early years in the league.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2023)
On April 12, 2023, Armon Watts signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, joining a franchise known for its physical, hard-nosed defensive identity. The Steelers’ defensive tradition provided another environment in which he could refine his game.
During the 2023 season, Watts contributed to Pittsburgh’s defensive line rotation. The opportunity reinforced his reputation as a reliable, team-first player willing to contribute wherever needed.
New England Patriots Era (2024)
Armon Watts signed with the New England Patriots on March 15, 2024, beginning another chapter of his career in the AFC East. His time in New England was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024.
On October 2, 2024, Watts was released by the Patriots with an injury settlement, closing out his time in New England. Despite the abbreviated stay, the experience added another professional chapter to his resume.
New York Giants Era (2024–Present)
On October 15, 2024, Armon Watts signed with the New York Giants practice squad, quickly earning a promotion to the active roster on October 22, 2024. His path to the active roster reflected the consistency he has shown throughout his career.
On January 3, 2024, Watts was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, an interruption to his work with the Giants. Through his various stops, he has continued to pursue opportunities to contribute at the NFL level.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a defensive tackle, Armon Watts brings size, length, and power to the interior of the defensive line. His combination of listed measurements and developed technique allows him to occupy blockers and disrupt both the run game and passing lanes. Throughout his career, he has served as a rotational defender capable of contributing on early downs and in pass-rush situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early moments of Armon Watts’s career came on November 10, 2019, when he recorded his first NFL sack against Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys. Being selected in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings stands as another career milestone, marking the start of his professional journey.
Armon Watts Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Armon Watts has played a rotational role on the defensive line for multiple teams, contributing in both run defense and pass-rush situations. His career NFL statistics through 2024 include 147 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 pass deflection.
Team Highlights
Watts has been part of several notable team efforts, including the Vikings’ 28-24 Sunday Night Football win over the Cowboys in 2019. Across his stops with the Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and New York Giants, he has consistently contributed to defensive rotations.
Other Performances
Beyond his team accomplishments, Watts has produced steady individual production, highlighted by his 8.5 career sacks and 147 total tackles through 2024. His continued presence on NFL rosters speaks to his value as a dependable interior defender.
Armon Watts Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Armon Watts was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, a city with a deep football tradition. Public information regarding his family background is limited.
Personal Life
Armon Watts focuses primarily on his professional football career. Public details about his personal life, including marital status or children, are not widely documented in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, Armon Watts continues his professional career with the New York Giants after joining the organization late in 2024. His familiarity with the team’s defensive scheme, built during his late-season activation, positions him as a candidate for a continued rotational role.
Watts’s veteran presence and prior experience across multiple defensive systems offer versatility along the Giants’ interior defensive line. Health will be a key factor, particularly following the knee injury that ended his 2024 campaign.
Looking ahead, Watts will aim to build on his career totals of 147 tackles and 8.5 sacks while contributing to the Giants’ defensive efforts. His journey from a sixth-round pick in 2019 to a seasoned NFL defender reflects the perseverance that continues to define his professional path.