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12. T.J. Watt

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When you are the younger brother of J.J. Watt, a large shadow is cast over you.  T.J. Watt has done a great job escaping it.

Watt was a star at Wisconsin, and the Steelers would use the 30th Overall Pick in the 2017 Draft to add the Linebacker to their roster.  Watt was an All-Rookie, but broke through the following year, with a Pro Bowl Selection and a 13-Sack year.  Watt got even better in the two seasons that followed, with First Team All-Star years, with 14.5 and 15.0 Sacks, the latter being league-leading.  He also led the NFL in Forced Fumbles with eight in 2019.

The growth of Watt reached its apex in 2021, as he was the consensus Defensive Player of the Year in a campaign where he led the NFL in Sacks (22.5) and Tackles for Loss (21).  Watt was hurt for a good portion of 2022, playiing only ten Games, but was still chosen for the Pro Bowl.  Last year, Watt was again a Defensive Player of the Year contender, leading the NFL in Sacks (19) and he goes into this season 3.5 away from 100.

If he stays with Pittsburgh for an extended period of time, Watt could crack the top five of this list, as even as potent as that group is, this is one of the best pass rushers of this era.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Linebacker
  • Acquired: Selected in the 1st Round, 30th Overall in the NFL Draft 4/27/17.
  • Games Played: 104
  • Notable Statistics:

    104 Games Started
    7 Interceptions
    48 Interception Return Yards
    27 Forced Fumbles
    10 Fumble Recoveries
    35 Fumble Recovery Yards
    1 Fumble Recovery Touchdown
    96.5 Quarterback Sacks
    401 Combined Tackles
    291 Solo Tackles
    110 Assisted Tackles
    107 Tackles for Loss
    198 Quarterback Hits
    91 Approximate Value

    3 Playoff Games
    1 Fumble Recovery
    26 Fumble Recovery Yards
    1 Fumble Recovery Touchdown
    1.0 Quarterback Sack
    8 Combined Tackles
    6 Solo Tackles
    2 Assisted Tackles
    3 Tackles for Loss
    5 Quarterback Hits

  • Major Accolades and Awards: AP Defensive Player of the Year (2021)
    PFWA Defensive Player of the Year (2021)
    The Sporting News Defensive Player of the Year (2021)

    First Team All-Pro (2019, 2020 & 2021)
    Pro Bowl (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 & 20213
    All-Rookie (2017)
    Most Tackles for Loss (2020 & 2021)
    Most Forced Fumbles (2019)
    Most Quarterback Sacks (2020 & 2021)

Last modified on Wednesday, 31 July 2024 13:49

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