Where Does T.J. Watt Rank among All-Time Steelers Defensive Greats?

At his current pace, it sure seems like outside linebacker T.J. Watt will join Steelers defensive legends Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, Troy Polamalu, Rod Woodson, etc. in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday. Watt is already at 99.5 sacks in 107 career games.

Greene is the only Steeler to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice (1972, 1974). Given his start to the season, Watt could join him this year. Many would argue that he should have won DPOY last year.

While Watt is this generation’s defensive superstar, where does he rank among the all-time greats in Steelers history? Former Steelers head coach and Hall of Famer Bill Cowher thinks Watt is the fourth-best defensive player in franchise history, ahead of even Polamalu.

Cowher revealed his top 5 Steelers players of all-time during the NFL on CBS pregame show on Sunday. He had in order — Joe Greene, Rod Woodson, Mel Blount, T.J. Watt and Troy Polamalu in the top 5. Jack Lambert was honorable mention.

“This guy’s on an all-time pace, he’s the (Steelers) all-time sack leader. He’s led the league in sacks three out of the last four years,” Cowher said of Watt.

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J.J. Watt also praised his brother T.J. during the NFL on CBS pregame show. He believes he’ll shatter all of his records.

“If he stays healthy, he’s gonna surpass every single record I’ve ever set… Kid’s incredible,” J.J. Watt said.

Cowher’s list was pretty spot-on, even though it’s hard to leave off names like Lambert, Jack Ham and James Harrison. It just shows how great of a history the Steelers have. Cowher said DPOY, All-Pro first-team and All-Decade played a factor in his criteria for the list.

Greene being No. 1 was a no-brainer. He’s the greatest Steeler of all-time. I don’t think anyone would argue that.

“Two-time Defensive Player of the Year. … He means everything to Pittsburgh. He exemplifies what a Steeler is,” Cowher said.

Cowher said Woodson was the best defensive player he ever coached. “I put him on offense. He returned punts. He did it all and made plays.”

Cowher raved about Polamalu’s skill set, too.

“This guy created havoc. I’ve never seen a guy make more plays and do more things that can disrupt an offense,” Cowher said.

Blount was so dominant that the NFL implemented a rule because of him in 1978. The rule prohibited the contact between defensive backs and receivers beyond five yards of the line of scrimmage. From its inception, that rule has been known in history as the “Mel Blount Rule.”

Blount’s impact on the game weighed heavy in Cowher’s decision to have him No. 3 on the list.

“He’s a four-time Super Bowl winner. Changed the game as a cornerback,” Cowher said.

Even though Lambert didn’t crack the top 5, Cowher made sure to give him his flowers as an honorable mention. Making a top 5 Steelers defensive player list certainly isn’t an easy task.

“I have to do an honorable mention because I watched this guy as a kid,” Cowher said. “This guy Jack Lambert. To me, that guy represented everything. He had no teeth in the middle of his face. I’ll never forget, I used to take a magic marker and make out my middle tooth just to be like Jack Lambert.”