1 year agoPittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt is one of the most powerful forces on any football field where he plants his cleats. He can singlehandedly wreck an opposing offense's game plan. He is a contender for the top IDP player when healthy. From 2019 to 2021, he finished in the top 10 for defensive players for three straight years, even while battling nagging injuries. In 2021, he tied the single-season record with 22.5 sacks and finished as the IDP1. He makes impact plays of every kind. In his six seasons, he has made 77.5 sacks, leading the league in sacks twice, six interceptions, 23 forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries. But he left Week 1 of 2022 with a torn pec after making a sack, an interception, and six tackles. He returned in Week 9, but he wasn't quite as productive. He only averaged 0.5 sacks per game in his return, but he did make another interception and three pass breakups. One reason was that his sack conversation rate declined from an unsustainable 35.5% to 22.5%, which is more in line with his career average. It was the first time since his rookie year he did not force more than one fumble. Watt's relative decline in effectiveness might be attributed to his injury and the missed time, but injuries have been a problem for him for a couple of years. Watt is amongst a group of players who can be expected to be in the mix for IDP1. But it might be wise to select another tier-one IDP who is younger, like Nick Bosa or Roquan Smith, over Watt if all are available.--Mitchell Blatt - RotoBaller
Source: Mitchell Blatt - RotoBaller