JJ Watt: best defensive lineman in NFL?

[Babylon]

Originally Posted by J-Spot

I've watched all three very closely in all of their teams' games so far, and JJ Watt is playing a whole level higher than Justin Smith and Haloti Ngata. Ngata especially looks kind of heavy and slow this year. Smith is his usualy grinder self, but Watt is just as workmanlike but makes even more big plays.

And of course, the Houston defense as a whole is better than either the 49ers or Ravens defense this year (especially the Ravens defense). That also make me lean toward Watt over Smith / Ngata.

You may be right in the long run but playing Miami, Jacksonville and Denver is probably a pretty small sample size to be predicting anything.

[bigbluedefense]

Watt is a beast. I don't think its unreasonable to say he's the best 3-4 DL in football right now.

In terms of DL in general, I think Ware, JPP, Ngata, Watt, Justin Smith round out the top 5.

[Complex]

Calais Campbell is the best 3-4 lineman imo.

[Raiderz4Life]

The best is undoubtedly....

Standing at 6 feet 4 inches
Weighing in at 350 pounds
of pure Muscle, Steel, and SEX APPEAL!!!

HALOTI NGATA!!!

[fenikz]

He is certainly up there, my elite tier for 3-4 DE would be Ngata, Campbell, Smith, & Watt

[Bengals78]

Y'all can get in line to be in awe of JJ.
I was here first

[Brown Leader]

Off topic, but for those who've watched him so far this season, if Watt played in 43 defense would he start at DE or DT? Curious because he was my man crush last year and I debated he could fit in an even front just as well.

[Don Vito]

I think he could play all around but if he were in a 4-3 he'd probably have a Justin Tuck type role as a LE then move inside on passing downs. I know that Tuck comparison is used for a lot of players but it's the best I can do. I think he could play RE, but his best fit would be in that Tuck type role.

[Malaka]

You see this is the type of 3-4 DE you draft in the top 5... not Tyson Jackson... with or without the revisionist history what a bad pick by the Chiefs and what a great pick by the Texans by comparison.

I remember I thought for certain they were going Amukamara.

[The Alex]

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

Watt is a beast. I don't think its unreasonable to say he's the best 3-4 DL in football right now.

In terms of DL in general, I think Ware, JPP, Ngata, Watt, Justin Smith round out the top 5.

Isn't Ware a OLB in a 3-4?

[SenorGato]

Just because his name isn't being brought up enough - Vince Wilfork is a monster and one of the few future HOFers on D in the league.

[killxswitch]

So is NT really THAT important of a position in a modern 3-4 D? Doesn't seem like there are many superstars at that position. Even Wilfork moves to DE now.

[fenikz]

depends, if you had someone like the pile jumper at ILB then you would need a NT cus he would be even more worthless

[bigbluedefense]

Originally Posted by The Alex

Isn't Ware a OLB in a 3-4?

3-4 OLBs are pass rushers to me. They spend 80% of their snaps rushing the passer. Many have their hand in the dirty a good 50% of the time.

So I lump them in with DLmen.

[Mufasa]

Originally Posted by Brown Leader

Off topic, but for those who've watched him so far this season, if Watt played in 43 defense would he start at DE or DT? Curious because he was my man crush last year and I debated he could fit in an even front just as well.

I've said it before, but I still think his best fit, in any scheme, would be at left end in a 4-3. He's been ridiculously good where he's at though, so it doesn't really matter.

He's easily the DPOY through the first three weeks. 5.5 sacks from that position is better than most get in a full year. If he can get to double digits I don't see how you can give it to anyone else.

[VAfy-ya]

Originally Posted by Grizzlegom

Watt has nine sacks and nine passes defensed in his last nine games. Not saying he's the best DL in football right now but the man is a BEAST.

Agree. So far, he's been the most impressive this year. Still a lot of football left, but Watt is definitely in the conversion. Probably the front-runner, from my perspective.

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by Bengals78

Y'all can get in line to be in awe of JJ.
I was here first

Give this man a gold star!

He's like a young Justin Smith except he's actually in a defense that suits his skillset. He basically won their playoff game against us last year with that pick six.

[J-Mike88]

This guy's life path history is pretty remarkable.

[Cudders]

Originally Posted by Mufasa

I've said it before, but I still think his best fit, in any scheme, would be at left end in a 4-3. He's been ridiculously good where he's at though, so it doesn't really matter.

He's easily the DPOY through the first three weeks. 5.5 sacks from that position is better than most get in a full year. If he can get to double digits I don't see how you can give it to anyone else.

Being a defensive end in Wade’s odd-front isn’t a whole lot different than a base end in an even-front. He one-gaps, stunts, and slants more than most, so Watt is put in aggressive positions to rack up sacks. Ratliff tallied 7.5 sacks from the nose tackle spot under Phillips in Dallas. It isn’t a traditional, two-gap 3-4. Those defensive linemen are asked to attack.

As for the topic, I don’t know if Watt is the best defensive linemen right now, but he’s a certified beast. And he will be the best in the future. He was so, so, so underrated during the draft process. A 6-5, 290 lbs. defensive end with a 1.64 split, 6.88 three-cone, 4.21 short shuttle, powerful hands, popping jump numbers, and relentless on film, too? He was a stud prospect. I don’t know where the disconnect came from. He’s scheme-diverse and versatile. One-gap or two-gap in an odd-front, base or blindside in an even-front, and capable of kicking inside to generate an interior rush on passing downs. He’s a defensive weapon.

That said, Haloti Ngata is just balling out of his mind thus far, so I would go with him. Watt isn’t too far behind though and his best football appears to be ahead of him.

[P-L]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

I fully believe that Watt is the best overall defensive lineman in football. He's at least 1b to Justin Smith's 1a. Watt's been the best pass rusher in football this year, as a 3-4 end. He's also an elite run defender. If you're just basing it on the first three games, it's not even debatable. His current play is likely unsustainable (he's been THAT much better than anyone else), but there's no reason to think he won't continue to play at an elite level.

Originally Posted by Babylon

You may be right in the long run but playing Miami, Jacksonville and Denver is probably a pretty small sample size to be predicting anything.

I know they aren't the end-all, be-all but for what it's worth, PFF had J.J. Watt as a top 10 DL last year as well...

[BufFan71]

truthfully. i think Kyle Williams is the best DL in the nfl

[scottyboy]

Originally Posted by BufFan71

truthfully. i think Kyle Williams is the best DL in the nfl

Love Kyle Williams, but that's a pretty big stretch, especially with studs like Watt, Smith, Campbell and Ngata. And Wilfork

And DL in total, there's still JPP, and hell, Jared Allen and Peppers perhaps

[ruthlessrussian]

I was about to make this thread after seeing the highlights of todays game against the Titans. No surprise to see one already up ... Watt is absolutely dominating right now. How does a Dend in a 3-4 defense get the QB so much? As much as I like Ngata I would go with Watt. And he is only 23!?!!? I pray for Andrew Luck's well being..

[Pit Bull #53]

He absolutely destroyed Leroy Harris on multiple plays today. Harris is pretty terrible, but honestly it wouldnt have mattered who was blocking him. Hes that good.

[Nalej]