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Everyone has their listings of where J.J. Watt will play in 2021. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers are easy teams to pad such a list. However, there is one team that would wreak havoc across NFL trenches if they could land the former Houston Texans defensive end.
In NFL.com writer Nick Shook’s list of teams that could be the next home for Watt, the Los Angeles Rams were mentioned as a possibility.
This one is probably more fantasy than anything, but that won’t stop Rams fans from envisioning a defensive front that includes Watt and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. Watt would seemingly take the place of Michael Brockers, but a simple cut-and-sign process won’t clear nearly enough space (just $4.6 million) to accommodate Watt. The Rams would still be over the projected $180.5 million cap by over $22 million, meaning a host of moves elsewhere would be necessary to bring him in.
Brockers, Donald, and Watt would generate sugarplums of quarterback sacks and runs for no gain, but the salary cap hit is the metformin of reality that could keep the super-team defensive line from forming.
Consider Watt was the most double-teamed edge rusher in 2020, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Taking away help to block Watt would leave Donald uncontested. Providing help in the interior offensive line to neutralize Donald would give Watt one-on-one opportunities that could lead to an offense’s disaster.
Even Watt and Donald being on the same team would be historic as it would be the first time two three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year winners were on the same team. The entire 16-game season would be a battle between Watt and Donald as they vied for their record-setting fourth defensive award.
Watt can still play, and when he finds that team, the tape and stats will prove it.
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