It seems to be the age-old question. Is Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker TJ Watt the best pass rusher in the NFL? Or is it Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, or Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald? Those three guys are always the players that come up in the discussion.
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Following the 2021 season Watt was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the first time. Finally climbing the mountain high enough to surpass Donald for the title. This came on the heels of Watt's 22.5 sack effort which officially tied him with Michael Strahan for most in a single season in NFL history.
Today ESPN writer Jeremey Fowler released his latest story which covered the top 10 defensive lineman and outside linebackers according to the players, coaches, and executives of the NFL. The story says "we surveyed more than 50 league executives, coaches, scouts and players to help us stack the top 10 players at 11 different positions."
The consensus pick for #1? TJ Watt:
"Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 3Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: 2
Watt claims his first-ever No. 1 ranking here, after jumping from No. 7 in 2020 to No. 2 last year. And his 22.5 sacks to tie Michael Strahan's single-season record make his case for him. Watt was the unanimous AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. But his impact comes from the total package he brings to the field.
Watt's 35.5 disrupted dropbacks -- which include sacks, interceptions, batted passes and passes defended -- ranked first in the NFL last season by a wide margin (Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs was next at 32.0). Furthermore, his 23.1% pass rush win rate ranked seventh overall.
"Rare motor and quickness with his hands, has developed good power, and he can also dip and bend high side," an AFC exec said. "Basically, he can beat you inside through you or outside. And [the Steelers] bring so much pressure typically that he's able to add good chase production."
Where is Watt truly elite? The exec pointed to his ability to locate the quarterback quickly and burst to him if his initial pass-rush move stalls. He'll stop, look and then close.
As Watt keeps increasing his sack totals every year, the NFL record of 200 held by Bruce Smith is perhaps something he can chase. He is currently sitting on 72.0 takedowns through five seasons."
TJ Watt tied the record for most sacks in an NFL season in 2021
Coming in second was Garrett, but the most surprising thing about this list was Donald didn't even make it. He didn't even make it into the Honorable Mention category. Behind Garrett were Nick Bosa, and Joey Bosa with Raider's star Maxx Crosby filling in the top 5.
According to the story Garrett was docked points by some because at some points he disappears during games. Against the Steelers Garrett only managed one sack in two games in 2021. While he was able to beat rookie Dan Moore Jr several times or push him into the back field, he wasn't able to get his hands on Ben Roethlisberger.
In the Steelers final game against the Browns in Week 17, Watt recorded 4 sacks of Baker Mayfield basically ending his time in Cleveland.
