He hasn't done it on his own, but he is the engine of the defense. Collapsing the middle of the pocket and pushing the quarterback farther so the edges have easier angles is important, Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt do a really good job of that and it is a huge part of T.J. Watt and Bud Duprees sack numbers. TJ will be collecting a ring in the near future. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. TJ Watt finished the 2020 season with 53 tackles, 41 QB hits, 15 sacks, and 23 tackles. The NFL recently concluded its honors award show and many fans and media personalities alike feel that Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt was snubbed for the annual Defensive Player of The Year. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. Outside of Donald, both charts show that the top tier pass rushers win more when they are double teamed less. Leonard Williams finally lived up to the hype.Stats; @pfref #NFL pic.twitter.com/Y5ro45XW1l. Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald won the 2020-21 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, making it his third DPOY victory. When the offense decides #3 is the right choice, the Steelers green dog blitzes keep the numbers even, again forcing 1v1 matchups or creating free runners at the quarterback. Khan's first Steelers draft 'aggressive' Aaron Donald has 312 solo tackles, 178 assists, 103.0 sacks and 7 fumble recoveries in 138 games in his career. T.J. Watt is leading the NFL with 16 sacks, highlighted by his 3.5-sack effort in Pittsburgh's win over the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 5. T.J. Watts stats dropped off, especially QB hits, and none of them went up. Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt was named the AP defensive player of the year during NFL Honors on Thursday night, receiving 42 of a possible 50 votes. T.J. Watt has a total of 333 tackles in his career . The Rams' Aaron Donald has just won his third DPOY award, however, he did not deserve it. He's made 103 sacks of the quarterback and has tallied no interceptions throughout his career. The context of having someone take your best receiver (and best weapon) completely out of the game caused me to accept Gilmore's win over Watt but with Donald I can't accept it as they both attempt to do the exact same thing (stop the run and rush the passer). Levis opens up about draft day His tally for tackles sits at 449 of the solo variety and 137 assisted for a grand total of 586. Just 4 days short of three years with at least a sack in every game. His brother began to breakdown after his 5th season in the NFL and it must be noted that T.J. Watt is entering his 5th season. But in those 15 games Watt accumulated 22.5 sacks and Donald got 13 sacks. Fast forward a year and its Watt edging out Donald this time. pic.twitter.com/m1vzrD88WU. View a side-by-side comparison of Aaron Donald and J.J. Watt. And it's not just that he dramatically affected the game, it's that he did it without a week of practice after testing positive for COVID-19 the day after losing to the Bengals. Quote: "Very impressed. Aaron Donald is the consensus favorite to win another DPOY after having another quality season with 12.5 sacks. Yes, Aaron Donald is the best pass rusher in the NFL. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. But in those 15 games Watt accumulated 22.5 sacks and Donald got 13 sacks. Im not here to bash T.J. Watt and say hes not good, hes really good, hes the best edge rusher in the NFL, and one of the truly elite players on the Pittsburgh Steelers. And he's forced four fumbles and had two recoveries, more than both Garrett and Parsons. T.J. Watt had 43 solo tackles, 10 assists, 15.0 sacks and 1 interception in 15 games in 2020. He ranks second with 47 first pressures. No, he just did it again. Congrats! Why Parsons might fall short: History tells you this is a long shot. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. SINCE HE ENTERED THE LEAGUE IN 2019 TJ WATT LEADS IN: You got an opportunity where they might hold the ball a little longer and you can get to that quarterback. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Career Stats for OLB T.J. Watt. To be honest, it's also unfair to T.J. Watt's career resume to give Aaron Donald his 3rd DPOY in a year where he did not outperform the Steelers man. Bud Dupree faces more double teams than T.J. Watt because Keith Butler knows that a 1v1 for T.J. Watt is far more valuable than a 1v1 for Bud Dupree, and shapes his blitzes accordingly. Journalism Position:Staffer SUBSCRIBE! The story of the Cowboys scout and prospect son Dallas just drafted, Legacy pick: Cardinals take great-great-nephew of team's first-ever draft pick, Cowboys' Micah Parsons could match one of Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor's most amazing feats, NFL Week 15 buzz: Predicting Aaron Rodgers' 2022 team, DPOY, upset picks and more, Myles Garrett sets Browns record with sack, forces fumble and scores vs. Ravens. And, if there's recent bias by selectors, Watt is at a disadvantage. Donald didnt put up astronomical numbers this season, but he still had 12.5 sacks, 25 QB hits and 19 tackles for a loss as a defensive tackle. Here the Giants have the guard and tackle on Donald, and the running back looking to help if he goes inside. Look at Aaron Donald on this graph. ALL-PRO REELS/CC BY-SA 2.0. Which makes one question why do they have individual awards for a game that is supposed to be the most team oriented sport in the world? PERIOD! But most of the time the winner is decided by statistics. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & resort (KS). The one stat that Donald lead in was assisted tackles where he had 46 and Watt had 16 assisted tackles. In Sunday's win over Baltimore, Garrett scored his first touchdown, breaking the Browns' single-season record with his 15th sack on the same play. His tackle totals sit at 312 of the solo variety and 178 assisted for a final total of 490. Take these two graphs that have been popping up a lot of places. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The official Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 NFL Draft class. Fields also had one net yard passing with Garrett repeatedly swarming him in the backfield. -- Thiry. #Browns @Flash_Garrett: #BALvsCLE on CBS: NFL app pic.twitter.com/yR3s2NLwqu, Why Garrett might fall short: To begin with, the Browns are facing unprecedented adversity within the league amid a COVID-19 outbreak. 1, Panthers' Bryce Young is all 'business now', Top picks Christian Gonzalez, Keion White reflect Patriots' ideal identity, Big takeaways from the NFL draft: A historic QB class, the rebuilt AFC South and new GMs thriving, NFL Nation sizes up all 259 draft selections, XFL semifinals: Defenders roll Sea Dragons, set up title showdown with Renegades. So yes, T.J. Watts stats are better across the board than Aaron Donalds were, but as Steeler fans who remember how good Aaron Smith was, and how good Casey Hampton was, It shouldnt be hard to understand how playing on the interior line causes less impressive stats no matter how good the player is. Donald is a Defensive Tackle for the Los Angeles Rams. In a vacuum, Watt is having one of the best seasons -- if not the best -- of his career. I love watching him play & hes headed to the Hall of Fame without question. For his career, Aaron Donald has collected 24 forced fumbles and has gotten 160 tackles in the backfield. Watt led the NFL with 22.5 sacks (tied the single-season record) and 21 tackles for a loss, earning an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection. Thats not how you win the defensive version of the MVP award. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. This is a repeat of last year except this time it's not justified. Without Watt's 3.5 sacks of Lamar Jackson and pressure on the failed 2-point conversion attempt, the Steelers don't beat the Ravens 20-19 on Dec. 5, to keep Pittsburgh relevant in the AFC North. Donald also tipped a pass that linebacker Ernest Jones intercepted and the Rams converted that miscue into a touchdown to take a 7-3 lead in the second quarter. Garrett has been in the mix for the defensive player of the year award before, but in 2019, he was suspended the final six games for swinging his helmet at Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. Not a one trick pony or a flash in the pan This is a frequent blocking strategy against Aaron Donald, a slightly delayed double team. The Rams Aaron Donald has just won his third DPOY award, however, he did not deserve it. He said after winning the 2021 award that it was never anything personal against Donald. His tackle totals sit at 312 of the solo variety and 178 assisted for a final total of 490. Highest pass rush win rate (26.9%) among edge defenders this season (ESPN metric using NFL Next Gen Stats), Second in NFL with 15 sacks, third in pressures with 46, Eleven games with at least 0.5 sacks this season, tied for most in NFL (Cincinnati Bengals Trey Hendrickson), Why Garrett is a strong candidate to win the award: The Browns pass-rusher has been arguably the most dominant defensive player in the league this season. But if they lose to Las Vegas with a limited roster, the Browns' chances figure to be diminished significantly, especially with a trip to Green Bay on Christmas Day on deck. But he should absolutely get MVP votes as well, because that's what kind of a player he is." Both of these players are finalists for the Defensive Player of the Year race. Hes grabbed 6 interceptions and has 23 fumbles forced for his career. Both move around a good bit, but Aaron Donald is an interior defensive lineman the vast majority of plays, and T.J. Watt is an edge rusher. Panthers' Young all 'business now'. This has nothing to do with AD personally.This is me saying what my brother wont.TJ played 1 less game and STILL led the NFL in every major category. In totality, it was just an unnecessary snub for a lineman who has waited his turn and put up a tremendous level of play on the field. T.J. Watt beats out Aaron Donald for 2021 Defensive Player of the Year. Parsons' teammate, cornerback Trevon Diggs, New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, among others, are also in the DPOY conversation. Quickly compare stats, fantasy rankings and points to find out which player is a better option in your fantasy football league. Caesars Sportsbook odds on winning: +300 (co-favorite with Garrett), Leads NFL with 16 sacks despite missing two games, NFL-high five games with two sacks this season, Could become first player since Donald in 2018 with 20 sacks in a season, Why Watt is a strong candidate to win the award: Despite missing two entire games and sustaining injuries that knocked him out early in two others, Watt leads the league in sacks with 16 through Week 14. But T.J. Watt doesnt drive the defense, teams dont worry about him the way they worry about and focus on Aaron Donald, and yet Aaron Donald still puts up great stats. Unfortunately, like most years, there is controversy. Time to check on everyones favorite NFL Draft analysts thoughts on the AFC North teams draft grades. frequently with multiple players looking to help. "First and second down, those are the time you're like in the mix of run and pass, but third down and fourth down is when you hunt," Parsons said. Who knows how long the Browns will be short-handed, but Garrett is likely to face even more attention from the Raiders on Saturday as a result. There has been a critical error on this website. I've been a part of [teams with] guys like that -- Troy Polamalu -- who can change a football game, and it doesn't happen on defense that often. Aaron Donald is the consensus favorite to win another DPOY after having another quality season with 12.5 sacks. Watt dealt with various injuries in 2021 and was forced to miss two games, but he still had a career-best season and was rewarded with NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500(VA). You can go all out on 3rd and long, and then take a breather on all the other downs if you want sack stats. TJ Watt is statistically outperforming Aaron Donald, and no one is talking about it. I understand you are free to say what you want to a certain degree, but that comment is just silly. Its not surprising that Watt won the award. pic.twitter.com/Eh61Wx4dI1, Why Donald might fall short: Donald stars on a defense that has not been nearly as dominant as it was a season ago, when it was the top-ranked unit in efficiency and points allowed per game (18.5). T.J. Watt Was Robbed Of the NFL DPOY Award. FILM ROOM: Joey Porter Jr. is exactly what the Steelers needed at CB. Quote: "Nothing matters if we don't make the playoffs. T.J. Watt led the NFL in sacks, quarterback hits, and in tackles for a loss in 2020, an impressive feat. 'That's my best friend': Steelers unite another set of brothers after draft, The NFL's highest-paid players at every position: Here's who makes the most money, from QB to punter, Steelers, down Fitzpatrick, boosted by Watt return, Steelers declare Fitzpatrick out, activate Watt, Steelers star LB Watt expects to return vs. Saints, T.J. Watt 'optimistic' about Sunday return for needy Steelers defense, Steelers opt not to activate Watt vs. Eagles, Steelers open 21-day practice window on Watt, Sources: Watt's Steelers return delayed by knee, Steelers won't scrap plan on D with Watt on IR, Supplemental Privacy Policy for Singapore. -- Thiry Season highlight : Donald dominated in a 30-23 win over the division-leading Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress. Watt also led the league with 21 tackles for loss. The greats among the greats. Obviously for him just to consistently do what he's been doing, it's great to see. They still have about a 40% chance to get there, according to ESPN's Football Power Index. Quote: "Anything different than just being Superman out there? He can affect the pass game and the run game because of his versatility. Watt also added 5 passes defended and an interception. Donald only bested Watt in one basic stat, forced fumbles. The Cowboys haven't had a player win the award since Harvey Martin in 1977. TJ Watt has dominated all season, in more areas than one, which is more than what Donald can say for himself. But some people make the argument that Donald faces more double teams or that they play different positions. He had the stats and ability to prove it, however, like most years the big names won the awards. Taylor had 9.5 sacks as a rookie. But there's a convincing . Those would be impressive stats for an edge rusher, let alone an interior defender. Aaron Donald is pushing to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award for the fourth time in five seasons. Sure, in 2020 Watt had 0.5 more sacks, 5 more . Full Name: Brandon Unger You can see [his] energy throughout the defense." Thats ridiculous. But the sequence in Week 14 against the Washington Football Team was probably the best. He goes high and around the outside shoulder of the guard, and it works because the wide set of Donald and the edge force the guard to come to him, and Donald is too quick to be caught. Donald splits double teams so well that you want to make him commit to one side of a 1v1 block and then have the help meet him there. To the commenter saying TJ is a stat padder, always injured and overrated.do you even watch football? It took a truly great season by Watt to beat out Donald for the award, which only one player had done in the last four years. The stat comparison between Watt and Donald is close. If he wins the award, he and J.J. would make history as the first siblings to win DPOY. Sure, in 2020 Watt had 0.5 more sacks, 5 more QB hits and 9 more tackles for a loss. TJ will be collecting a ring in the near future. Register now! Donald, Taylor and Watt's older brother, J.J., are the only players to earn the distinction three times. Again this isnt entirely offensive strategy, the nature of the position often involves lining up between the guard and center, and usually both make contact with the defensive tackle at some point. An illustration of the Defensive Player of the Year trophy. To get DPOY award means you were the dominant defensive player in the league. Steelers Free Agent Tracker: Keeping tabs on players staying, and leaving, Updating Steelers depth charts after Day 3 of the NFL Draft. The Center starts with a quick double on the other tackle then tries to pick up Donald but hes too late, Donald is already deep in the backfield by that point. TACKLES FOR LOSS However, in every other arena, Watt not only dominated, but he did so in fewer games. Say a big welcome to the 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Draft class! Donald would make history by winning the award -- which is voted on by a nationwide panel of the media -- a record fourth time. For the third time in his career, Donald won the Defensive Player of the Year Award this year. Biggest post-draft questions That helps your team tremendously. Watt winning the honor comes a year after losing out to Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who received 27 votes to Watts 20. That point is valid but it's completely out of each player's control. Aaron Donald has 312 solo tackles, 178 assists, 103.0 sacks and 7 fumble recoveries in 138 games in his career. He had the stats and ability to prove it, however, like most years the big names won the awards. Elevate his game and get recognized nationally as not just one half of a great duo, but a truly elite player. -- Thiry Season highlight : Donald dominated in a 30-23 win over the division-leading Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. 32 lingering post-draft questions: Will Lions have regrets? Therefore, he has more of an impact on the football game. This time around, Garrett is playing the best football of his career. Even though Watt defended his brother TJ's case in winning the Defensive Player of the Year, it is clear that Aaron Donald is still the best pass rusher in the NFL in the last few years. Watt Heyward and Minkah wont be in their primes forever. He also had a forced fumble in that game, giving him four on the season. Heres your Defensive Player of the Year @AaronDonald97 pic.twitter.com/2dsnuNgsFA. Will Levis opens up about emotional draft day. 2023 NFL Draft Grades: AFC West Were rounding out the AFC draft grades here with, On todays episode of the Vendetta Sports Media Daily Show, James Herrick and Jiarmani DePena, 2023 NFL Draft Grade: AFC South The AFC South feels like the most wide open, 2023 NFL Draft Grades: AFC North After hitting the AFC East, we now transition to, CONTENT 2018 2022 VENDETTA SPORTS MEDIA ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions, Former Pittsburgh Steeler Urges Ben Roethlisberger to Retire. If you want to say T.J. Watt should have won defensive player of the year and have me agree, just add in 2019 to the end and Im with you 100%. The possibilities are endless, and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn keeps pushing the boundaries. Time for Tomlin and co to figure this S*** out and get this team back into title contention. The farther to the top a player is, the more often they were credited with a pass-rush win. But being the best pass rusher does not make you the defensive player of the year. - All four are having standout seasons, and Parsons has the benefit of playing on one of the best defensive units this season. Now look at that same information for defensive tackles. Last year, Aaron Donald left Steelers fans outraged after he won Defensive Player of the Year over T.J. Watt. But Donald isn't the only one trying to make history. Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Voting for AP 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the YearT.J. And he accomplished that feat in 15 games. Aaron Donald is an absolutely incredible player. Archived post. T.J. Watt, as good as he was in 2020, was even better in 2019, and in that season, his stats and film were better situated to take down Aaron Donald. At the end of the season, when the Steelers were playing to make the playoffs even as the offense fell entirely apart Watt had 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 7 QB hits, 3 forced fumbles, a recovered fumble and 2 passes defended in the final 3 games, when the Steelers scored 10 points in each game and lost all three. I thought he was more than deserving, Watt said, via Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Watt also has seasons with 65 59 and 57 tackles. Not a member? Garrett broke the franchise record for sacks in a game, topping the Cleveland record of four set by Andra Davis in 2003. Donald makes heavy contact with three Cowboys blockers on this play, and it buys Prescott enough time to get the ball out. However, that does not make him the best defensive player. Watt, who didn't practice after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier that week, also had six quarterback hits in the game, the most since he had five against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. He leads Donald in a majority of stats and he has less defensive weapons on his team. Watt also had 7 pass deflections and Donald had 4. T.J. Watt is leading the NFL with 16 sacks, highlighted by his 3.5-sack effort in Pittsburgh's win over the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 5. I didnt want to just show sacks or tackles for a loss, but I wanted to show how good Donald is on every snap, that he doesnt just collect stats, he drives the entire defense. Master Your Draft Strategy With Our Free and Easy-to-Use Mock Draft Simulator, Be the first one to comment on this story. Both players were deserving after putting together great 2020 seasons, but Donald was simply the more impactful player. Steelers' first draft under Omar Khan was 'aggressive' and achieved high marks, After hoopla of going No. Donald had 12.5 sacks, 19 . The 27-year-old totaled 64 tackles (48 solo) while tying the single-season sack record with 22.5 sacks. But . But Donald isn't the only one trying to make history. This year TJ Watt deserved to be the DPOY. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Donald received 27 votes, edging out T . T.J. Watt: Steelers 'weren't happy' with defense on 1st drive. He does not rush as much as Donald, therefore he does not have as many opportunities to make plays. The quarterback takes a three step drop and its already over. -- ESPN Rams reporter Lindsey Thiry, Aaron Donald's 6th career game with 3+ sacks.He now has his 5th straight season with at least 10 sacks. With Garrett leading the way, the Browns defense has surged down the stretch this year, culminating with Sunday's 24-22 win over the Ravens. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. SACKS He has set the Cowboys' rookie record for sacks in a season and is closing in on Jevon Kearse's NFL rookie record of 14.5. I always thought to myself why cant I do that?. Double a rusher and let someone run free at your quarterback (Vince Williams anyone?)3. The NFL awards came and went Saturday night, and the most . In my opinion, I think that Watt deserves Defensive Player of the Year Award. Quickly compare stats, fantasy rankings and points to find out which player is a better option in your fantasy football league . As the new face of the Steelers defense, Watt needed this to cement his status as the next in a long line of Steelers Hall of Fame linebackers, but it seems that honor will have to wait another year. It was a special year for the Steeler outside linebacker, leading the NFL in all three of the most relevant stats for players who primarily rush, while also showing the ability to make plays in coverage. T.J. Watt has a total of 333 tackles in his career . Watt has 48 tackles on the season compared to Aarons 38. Despite now being 30 years old, Donald remains a perennial favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. Behind Garrett's dominating effort, the Browns took down Chicago quarterback Justin Fields nine times en route to a commanding 26-6 victory. Parsons has surpassed that. This season, Donald played 17 games compared to Watts 15 games. Donald has also won it three times, in 2017, 2018, and 2020. The constant focus of opponents' game plans, Donald finds a way to continuously push through double and triple teams to cause disruption as an interior lineman. That stat does not even include when he does not rush, but merely sets the edge against teams with mobile QBs and strong rushing attacks. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). and our I love this play because Aaron Donald leaves his feet to make contact with the offensive lineman and wins. Cookie Notice After that happened, Watt tweeted out the Michael Jordan, And I took that personally meme. While not to criticize a player who commands doubles and triple teams every snap, it is clear that T.J. Watt was the superior defensive lineman this year. Keep your eyes on Donald, dont watch the ball. Its not like trying to get sack stats. Just before halftime in that game, Garrett stripped backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, then picked up the ball and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown, the first score of his career. In 2020, over 10 percent of his snaps were in coverage against wide receivers and tight ends. Watt winning the honor comes a year after losing out to Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who received 27 votes to Watt's 20. The injuries to his groin, hip and knee have kept him out of multiple games. After that happened, Watt tweeted out the Michael Jordan , "And . His eighth NFL season is no different, and despite being 30 years old, he's shown no signs of slowing. Until T.J. Watt recently overtook him, Garrett was leading the NFL in sacks for most of the season. T.J. Watt stepped up and produced when the Steelers were fighting to play one more game in 2019, in 2020 he didnt. That game is at the top of that list. Look at the edge rusher double team rates and the defensive tackle double team rates. Predicting the Steelers jersey numbers for the 2023 NFL Draft class. Coach Mike Tomlin likes to say Watt does things other players simply can't do. Void in ONT. But Aaron Donald is at a whole different level of pocket destruction. Its a good team award. This year TJ Watt deserved to be the DPOY. Its also one of the reasons the Steelers use Green Dog blitzes. He's faced 178 double teams on his pass rushes, which ranks third, but still manages to win 24.2% of those battles -- which is, unsurprisingly, the best ranking in the league. I don't know who else is the defensive player of the year other than that guy.