The newly-released ‘PFF50’ includes four former Badgers

Yesterday ProFootballFocus released their “PFF50: The NFL’s 50 best players entering the 2020 season” and included four former Badgers…

T.J. Watt

NCAA Football: Cotton Bowl-Wisconsin vs Western Michigan
Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt (42) in action during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Players don’t always have a smooth growth curve to their NFL careers, but there’s something very satisfying when they do. T.J. Watt has developed every season he’s been in the league, building himself into the Defensive Player of the Year candidate we saw last season. Watt had the highest pass-rushing grade of any edge defender in 2019 (91.7), notched 81 total pressures and made a whole host of game-changing plays, including eight forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions. If he plays to that level again, Watt will be one of the best defenders in the league at any position.