• Among the best run-defense grades within the NFL: T.J. Watt’s 91.4 run-defense grade by 17 video games ranks second within the league amongst defenders who’ve performed not less than 500 snaps, behind solely Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton. Nonetheless, as a result of Watt has to navigate 300-plus-pound behemoths typically, his mark is barely extra spectacular.
• Not often making a mistake: Watt’s 3.2% negatively graded play charge in opposition to the run is among the many lowest of any field defender (excluding safeties and cornerbacks) with not less than 300 snaps.
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Estimated Studying Time: 3 minutes
PFF’s award winners are chosen by a voting course of unique to twenty-eight senior analysts, contributors and members of the PFF employees, guaranteeing the choices mirror the insights and experience of these deeply concerned within the recreation.
This 12 months’s Finest Run Defender is T.J. Watt, who earned 18 votes to say the honour. The runner-up was Bobby Wagner with seven votes, whereas Jordyn Brooks rounded out the highest three with three votes.
Curiously sufficient, the NFL’s finest run defender is somebody who has earned far more acclaim as a pass-rusher. However do not get it twisted; Pittsburgh Steelers edge defender T.J. Watt is the preeminent dominant power in opposition to opposing floor video games.
Watt’s 91.4 run-defense grade by 17 video games ranks second within the league amongst defenders who’ve performed not less than 500 snaps, behind solely Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton. Nonetheless, as a result of Watt has to navigate 300-plus-pound behemoths typically, his mark is barely extra spectacular. Watt’s 30 tackles (14 for loss or no achieve), 24 stops, two pressured fumbles and 1.63-yard common depth of deal with illustrate his down-to-down effectiveness in opposition to the run, however they do not paint the total image as to why he is so impactful in that side of play.
T.J. Watt: PFF Metrics and percentile rank on the place
| Metric | Percentile |
| Cross-rush grade | 92nd |
| Cross-rush grade on true move rushes | 86th |
| Cross-rush grade with out play motion | 92nd |
| Cross-rush win % | 69th |
| Run-defense grade | 97th |
| Run cease % | seventy fifth |
For all of the tackles and stops Watt has gathered this 12 months, his influence extends previous performs the place he’s the one to in the end carry down the ball provider. Whether or not it is his early penetration that forces a working again to alter course into the tooth of Pittsburgh’s protection or his skill to occupy a number of blocks to assist maintain the Steelers’ second-level defenders clear as they pursue the ball provider, Watt’s gravity as a run defender makes every part simpler of the remainder of Pittsburgh’s protection.
Furthermore, Watt’s skill to keep away from unfavorable performs in opposition to the run is simply as helpful to Pittsburgh’s protection. Defending the run is much like move safety in that it solely takes one participant not doing his job for the opposing crew to search out appreciable success. If one defender voids his hole duty whereas everybody else does their job, the offense nonetheless has a great shot to make notable constructive good points.
That’s a rarity for Watt, whose 3.2% negatively graded play charge in opposition to the run is among the many lowest of any field defender (excluding safeties and cornerbacks) with not less than 300 snaps. The one participant near that mark is Harold Landry III, however Landry’s positively graded play charge in opposition to the run falls practically six share factors in need of Watt’s. Watt is especially dominant in opposition to zone runs, as he is gathered a league-best 10 tackles for loss or no achieve in opposition to inside and outdoors zone runs.
Whether or not they have been working at or away from him, TJ Watt was a terror vs run for the #Patriots
Pharaoh Brown had a powerful rep to almost seal the sport, however Watt simply discarded TEs, slipped pullers, had a pair wins vs Onwenu, and capitalized on a missed block after a late shift pic.twitter.com/Zi1SCvnbIM
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) December 8, 2023
Watt does a superb job taking over and discarding blocks across the line of scrimmage, which permits him to not solely stay gap-sound but additionally make performs behind or across the line of scrimmage.
that is the place not utilizing issues like bootlegs and different controller performs hurts you within the run recreation.
TJ Watt is not threatened to should maintain his bottom self-discipline as a result of the Falcons haven’t (and won’t) run any play motion to date on this recreation. pic.twitter.com/e2rYDw4onM
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 11, 2024
Sadly for NFL offenses, Watt’s prowess in opposition to zone runs extends when offenses run away from him, as he is likely one of the most ferocious bottom chase defenders in the complete NFL, blazing down the road of scrimmage to cease working backs seeking to run exterior zone. Watt’s prowess in opposition to the run is not something new. Since getting into the league in 2017, Watt’s cumulative 91.5 run-defense grade ranks within the 94th percentile amongst NFL edge defenders. So, whereas he is been the NFL’s finest run defender this 12 months, do not be shocked if he continues to dominate this award for years to return.
