There seems to be one constant Pittsburgh Steelers theme this off-season: edge rusher TJ Watt is finally getting the respect he deserves. After tying the all-time sack record in 2021, Watt took home his first career Defensive Player of the Year award. He had arguably been robbed of the award in the past, but there was no taking it away from him this time.
There are still some sites that rank guys like Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett ahead of Watt on their lists. That's despite the fact that Watt has bettered him in nearly every statistic over the last few years. Regardless, many outlets are realizing the greatness of Watt. Not just his greatness compared to current players, but the historic stats he is putting up in comparison to some of the game's all-time best.
Brothers JJ, Derek and TJ Watt at the NFL Honors awards ceremony. | Credit: Sporting News
Barstool Sports' Steven Cheah completed his list on Friday of the top 100 players in the NFL. Watt slotted in at No. 6.
Steven Cheah's NFL Top 100 Players in 2022: #1 - #10 https://t.co/d9b930vzVF pic.twitter.com/luZZtEaOfY
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 8, 2022
Watt came in at No. 6 on the 2021 list as well, as he came in as the second-highest defensive player. Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald topped the list at No. 1, followed by four quarterbacks. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, ranked second, was the highest-rated QB. Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers rounded out the top five, in that order.
When it's all said and done, Donald deserves to be mentioned in the same conversations as Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, Deion Sanders, and others. In fact, he may already be in that conversation. In eight seasons, he's an eight-time Pro Bowler, seven-time All-Pro, and three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner. With that being said, Watt is in the same conversation as Donald as far as best players in the NFL right now. With another DPOY-caliber season in 2022, one could argue Watt over Donald.
Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams. | Getty Images
Watt was able to tie Michael Strahan's single-season sack record in 2021. Watt did so in just 15 games, and perhaps even deserved to break the record in the regular season finale against the Baltimore Ravens. Cheah had this to say when ranking Watt No. 6:
"T.J. Watt has increased his sack total in each of his first five seasons. It'll be tough to do next season as Watt just set the single season sack record with 22.5. And I don't want to hear any of this 17 game season stuff, because the guy only played in 15 games!Watt can play both the run and the pass and his instincts are top notch which leads him to make game changing plays..."
Were the three Steelers defenders ranked correctly?
Elsewhere on the list, fellow Steelers defensive players Cameron Heyward slotted in at No. 54, with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick at No. 49. Those were the only three players from the black and gold to make the list. Unsurprisingly, an offensive player did not make the list.
Do you guys think No. 6 is the right spot for Watt? If not, should he be higher or lower? Does Watt belong in the same conversation as Aaron Donald? Let us know your thoughts on the latest player rankings list!
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