Steelers LB T.J. Watt Earns NFL Network’s Top 100 Honors
Since 2011, NFL Network has polled NFL players to compile a list of the top 100 players heading into the following season. The lists are averaged, finalized, and aired through a series of episodes that involves commentary from various players in the league. The Pittsburgh Steelers have seen their fair share of players crack the list, even going as high as the number two spot for 2018 when Antonio Brown earned such honors.
The 2019 countdown began on Monday night, with players 100-91 revealed on the opening episode. Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt saw his name called as the 93rd best player in the league voted by his peers.
"He's just another one of those guys who you have to know where he's at."@_TJWatt comes in at No. 93 on the #NFLTop100.
📺: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/zUxYD33rUk
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 23, 2019
Watt’s play has been met with high praise from those who share the gridiron with him. “I think for T.J. understanding the growth it takes from year one to year two, I thought T.J. showed more growth in his pass rush” said Steelers defensive linemen Cameron Heyward on the show.
Much has been made of Watt’s family tree, one that includes brother and All-Pro pass rusher J.J. Watt. Some experts were weary on Watt during the draft process, simply believing his last name aided T.J. more than anything else. “For a guy like me, if my brother was J.J. Watt and I was coming into the league… I wouldn’t want that type of pressure” said Browns running back Duke Johnson.
Watt has quickly become one of the best young outside linebackers in the league after being selected with the 30th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. 2018 saw Watt lead the Steelers in sacks, bringing the quarterback down for a total of 13 times. Watt also added 68 tackles (17 tackles for loss) and 6 forced fumbles through last season as well. With more players to come as the list continues to be revealed, how many players will the Steelers land in the rest of the NFL Top 100?
NFL Network will release the rest of the episodes on consecutive days, with the final episode on July 31.
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