Even if you aren’t a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, you are more than aware of the tremendous season turned in by outside linebacker T.J. Watt. Watt did a little of everything for the Steelers in 2019 from stuffing the run to rushing the passer to dropping into coverage and creating turnovers. His emergence as a truly elite defender didn’t go unnoticed by the smart folks at Pro Football Focus, whose grading system is sometimes confounding. But in the case of Watt, they got it exactly right.
PFF put our their team consisting of the highest-graded players at every position, and among edge rushers, Watt was number one, edging out Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers. Here’s how PFF broke down Watt’s remarkable season.
The Watt brothers have wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks for what feels like the better portion of the last decade because, well, they have. T.J. takes the mantle as the highest-graded edge defender this season just a year after his brother J.J. Watt made a triumphant return to the top of the charts in 2018. The younger Watt finished the season with 81 total pressures, including a whopping 37 combined sacks and hits, as well as 44 additional hurries. He also led all edge defenders with eight forced fumbles and six passes batted at the line of scrimmage.
We will find out in a week of Watt’s amazing season will be rewarded when the NFL gives out Defensive Player of the Year at NFL Honors.
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