Rodney Harrison is right: It’s time to give J.J. Watt his Most Valuable Player award.
It won’t happen, of course. The award will go to a quarterback — probably Aaron Rodgers — per usual, but there’s no doubt Watt is the most deserving candidate. Replace Rodgers with any of the next five best quarterbacks in the NFL, and the Green Bay Packers probably still would win their division and make the playoffs.
There is no other player in the NFL like Watt. He is in a class by himself. One of a kind. An enigma.
Watt became the first player in NFL history to record two 20-plus-sack seasons. A player like Watt — a five-technique defensive end in the Houston Texans’ 3-4 base defense — rarely records one double-digit-sack season. Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcel Dareus finished second among base-interior defenders in sacks, and he had just 10.
Watt is a chameleon, too. He can play anywhere along the defensive line, from nose tackle, where he recorded one sack this season, to seven-tech defensive end, where he recorded 15.5. Watt likely would have spent more of the season playing defensive tackle, where he had five sacks in 2014, but injuries to first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney forced the veteran to right defensive end in the Texans’ nickel four-man front. Watt, of course, excelled in the role.
Watt had 118 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh finished second among players of Watt’s ilk with 57. Watt also led all edge defenders in total pressures, with Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston finishing with 84.
There truly has never been another player in NFL history like Watt, but the late, great Reggie White comes closest, since he too was a 6-foot-5, 300-pounder who put up double-digit sack seasons nearly every year. Bruce Smith also can be included in the conversation, since he too played five-technique defensive end in the Buffalo Bills’ 3-4. The five-tech end’s role typically is to be stout against the run, capable of holding down two gaps with length and strength. Watt can do that, too, and he’s one of the best run defenders of any player at his position.
Rodgers had a great season, and so did New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski, but Watt is transcendent, and it’s clear that his value over other players at his position makes him most valuable.
Here’s who should win the other six major league awards, which will be announced Jan. 31 at NFL Honors in Phoenix:
COACH OF THE YEAR: Bruce Arians, Arizona Cardinals
Bill O’Brien of the Houston Texans and Doug Marrone of the Buffalo Bills should receive consideration for leading their teams to winning records despite average quarterback play, but neither made the playoffs. Ultimately, Arians should win the honor. He led his team to an 11-5 record and the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs despite being down to his fourth-string quarterback by season’s end. That’s pretty impressive.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers deserves this award for his fantastic season (4,381 passing yards, 38 touchdowns, five interceptions), but Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray also had a great year. He finished with 2,261 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns while carrying his team to the NFC East title. He ran for 115.3 yards per game.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Watt
This is Watt’s award, and if he doesn’t win it, there’s something very wrong with the voting process. Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston nearly set the single-season record with 22 sacks, but Watt was far more dominant.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Odell Beckham, New York Giants
Beckham caught 91 passes for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in just 12 games and 11 starts. That’s ridiculous for any player, let alone a rookie.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was the best rookie signal-caller, and Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill rushed for 1,124 yards, but Beckham should win this award.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders
This award should come down to Mack and St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, both of whom were dominant this season. Donald had the flashier stats, with nine sacks, which could earn him the award. Mack is more deserving, however, with 54 total pressures and stout run defense as a Raiders linebacker.
COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
Gronkowski deserves some sort of hardware after catching 82 passes for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns while recovering from a torn ACL. Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris, also coming off a torn ACL, and Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, who ran for 1,246 yards on 260 carries with eight touchdowns after back surgery, also are in the running. Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork also deserves some consideration after being dominant, coming off a torn Achilles at 32 years old and 325 pounds.
Thumbnail photo via Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Images
