2. J.J. Watt, DL – Houston Texans
The shorter list to make would be: What can’t J.J. Watt do? He certainly struggles to stay healthy, and that’s a huge concern, but when Watt is 100% there aren’t many players in the league better than him. He pursues the quarterback at an elite level and forces fumbles, but he also defends passes as good as any defensive lineman in the NFL. Watt gets his big bear paws up to bat down passes at frustratingly high rates.
What makes Watt even more special is his commitment to his community off the football field. He embodies what it’s like to be a model citizen in Houston. After Hurricane Harvey left Houston in a state of emergency, Watt decided he should help. His efforts in fundraising are well-covered. He initially wanted to raise $200,000, but ended up raising right around $37 million. And after a recent mass-shooting at Santa Fe High School just outside of Houston, Watt committed to paying for the funerals of all the victims.
Watt won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award last year in the NFL for his contribution to his community. We knew he would be a great player in the league, but even he’s too great to be bound by our expectations. He exceeded those and will continue to do so.
At Wisconsin
Watt was part of Wisconsin’s first Rose Bowl run 2010 and a significant piece of the puzzle that defeated the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in the regular season. He helped take Wisconsin to new and unexpected heights and was the prototype for future Wisconsin defensive linemen. The Watt name is a holy one in Madison.
Houston is another trendy team in the NFL this offseason. Rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson tore his ACL last year, but has very high expectations for 2018. Watt hopes to be healthy and lead the Texans defense to the playoffs alongside some other elite talent. There’s no question how talented Watt is, just how healthy he is. If he’s ready to go, the league will be on notice.