The Top 100 Players of 2021, presented by NFL Network, is down to the Top 10, and linebacker T.J. Watt has found himself on that list.
Watt is ranked as the No. 9 player in the NFL, with fellow players across the league being the ones who voted.
Watt is coming off the best season of his career, leading the NFL in sacks with a career-high 15, quarterback hits with 41 and tackles for a loss with 23, while adding 53 tackles, 43 of them solo stops, seven pass defenses, two forced fumbles and an interception. He was voted Steelers team MVP, was selected first-team Associated Press All-Pro, elected to the Pro Bowl, was voted 101 Awards AFC Defensive Player of the Year and won the Deacon Jones Award. Watt and his brother, Arizona Cardinals J.J. Watt, became the first siblings in the history of the Top 100 to crack the Top 10 during their careers, with J.J. finishing No. 1 in 2015.
"I think every year I am trying to take that next step, whether it's on the field or off the field as a leader," said Watt at the start of training camp.
Also landing on the list this year were Minkah Fitzpatrick, who is ranked No. 52, and Cameron Heyward, who is ranked No. 57.
Fitzpatrick was a first-team Associated Press All-Pro in 2020, the second straight year he earned the honor.
Heyward is coming off a strong 2020 season where he was voted second-team Associated Press All-Pro, the third time he received All-Pro honors in his career.
