The NFL released its finalists list for the defensive line for the NFL 100 All-Time Team Monday, and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt made the list.
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year was among 33 defensive linemen and edge defenders who were listed as finalists. Watt is the only defensive lineman who is still playing in the NFL.
Watt’s career has been historic since he joined the Texans as a first-round pick in 2011. His three defensive player of the year honors tie Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor for the most in league history. His 96.0 sacks rank 41st all-time, and he has posted 20.5 sacks in two separate seasons, 2012 and 2014. Among the 2011 draft class, only the Denver Broncos’ Von Miller has more sacks than Watt with 104.
To decide the 14 defensive linemen who will ultimately make the team, a 26-person blue-ribbon voting panel has been charged with selecting seven players at both defensive end and defensive tackle.
The NFL 100 All-Time Team airs each Friday at 7:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network through Week 17 with selections by position revealed each week.