ESPN Poll compares Steelers All-Pro edge rusher to surefire Hall of Famer
The Pittsburgh Steelers need a healthy defense if they want to overachieve their preseason expectations. That starts with keeping the three pillars of the unit (T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick) up and active on gameday. For one of those players, a durable season can all but cement his legacy, and allow him to […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers need a healthy defense if they want to overachieve their preseason expectations.
That starts with keeping the three pillars of the unit (T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick) up and active on gameday.
For one of those players, a durable season can all but cement his legacy, and allow him to re-gain his crown atop his positional rankings:
T.J. Watt
In his annual poll of NFL coaches and executives, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler releases his top-10 rankings at every NFL position as voted on by the NFL personnel he surveys. For 2023, Watt came in fourth amongst the edge rushers, down three spots from his first-place finish in 2022 and behind Nick Bosa, Myles Garrett, and Micah Parsons' respectively.
But as one NFL exec told Fowler, don't count out T.J. in 2023:
"Ranking pass-rushers is all preference, but when healthy, Watt is hands down the best in the game," an NFC exec told Fowler. "Watt is to edge rush what Aaron Donald is to interior…
"…You know he's going to be fueled by last year and come out with a monster performance in 2023."
I would tend to agree, and I for one think Watt is being discounted at +800 to win NFL defensive player of the year in 2023. A healthy Watt should be among the favorites if not number one.
So with Watt coming off an injury-riddled year, and him desperately wanting to avenge his playoff record…
The league had better watch out.
For Fowler's full column, click here.
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Featured image via: © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
