• One of the most effective run-defense grades within the NFL: T.J. Watt’s 91.4 run-defense grade by means of 17 video games ranks second within the league amongst defenders who’ve performed at the least 500 snaps, behind solely Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton. However, as a result of Watt has to navigate 300-plus-pound behemoths typically, his mark is barely extra spectacular.
• Rarely making a mistake: Watt’s 3.2% negatively graded play price towards the run is among the many lowest of any field defender (excluding safeties and cornerbacks) with at the least 300 snaps.
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PFF’s award winners are chosen by means of a voting course of unique to twenty-eight senior analysts, contributors and members of the PFF employees, guaranteeing the selections mirror the insights and experience of these deeply concerned within the recreation.
This yr’s Best Run Defender is T.J. Watt, who earned 18 votes to say the respect. The runner-up was Bobby Wagner with seven votes, whereas Jordyn Brooks rounded out the highest three with three votes.
Interestingly sufficient, the NFL’s greatest run defender is somebody who has earned rather more acclaim as a pass-rusher. But do not get it twisted; Pittsburgh Steelers edge defender T.J. Watt is the preeminent dominant power towards opposing floor video games.
Watt’s 91.4 run-defense grade by means of 17 video games ranks second within the league amongst defenders who’ve performed at the least 500 snaps, behind solely Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton. However, 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 acquire), 24 stops, two pressured fumbles and 1.63-yard common depth of deal with illustrate his down-to-down effectiveness towards the run, however they do not paint the total image as to why he is so impactful in that aspect of play.
T.J. Watt: PFF Metrics and percentile rank on the place
| Metric | Percentile |
| Pass-rush grade | 92nd |
| Pass-rush grade on true go rushes | 86th |
| Pass-rush grade with out play motion | 92nd |
| Pass-rush win % | 69th |
| Run-defense grade | 97th |
| Run cease % | seventy fifth |
For all of the tackles and stops Watt has gathered this yr, his impression extends previous performs the place he’s the one to finally convey down the ball provider. Whether it is his early penetration that forces a working again to vary course into the enamel of Pittsburgh’s protection or his capability to occupy a number of blocks to assist preserve the Steelers’ second-level defenders clear as they pursue the ball provider, Watt’s gravity as a run defender makes the whole lot simpler of the remainder of Pittsburgh’s protection.
Moreover, Watt’s capability to keep away from adverse performs towards the run is simply as invaluable to Pittsburgh’s protection. Defending the run is just like go 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 accountability whereas everybody else does their job, the offense nonetheless has shot to make notable optimistic beneficial properties.
That’s a rarity for Watt, whose 3.2% negatively graded play price towards the run is among the many lowest of any field defender (excluding safeties and cornerbacks) with at the least 300 snaps. The solely participant near that mark is Harold Landry III, however Landry’s positively graded play price towards the run falls practically six proportion factors wanting Watt’s. Watt is especially dominant towards zone runs, as he is gathered a league-best 10 tackles for loss or no acquire towards inside and out of doors zone runs.
Whether they have been working at or away from him, TJ Watt was a terror vs run for the #Patriots
Pharaoh Brown had a robust 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 allows 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 must preserve 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
Unfortunately for NFL offenses, Watt’s prowess towards 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 trying to run exterior zone. Watt’s prowess towards the run is not something new. Since coming 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 greatest run defender this yr, do not be stunned if he continues to dominate this award for years to return.