2. T.J. Watt, EDGE, Wisconsin
It’s pretty incredible how quickly Watt took to the defensive side of the ball. Originally recruited to Wisconsin as a tight end out of high school, he was asked to switch positions before the 2015 season. He appeared in eight games that year and was minimally effective before bursting onto the scene like a bat out of hell in 2016.
Last season Watt was a force off the edge for the Badgers. He racked up 63 total tackles, 15.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 11.5 sacks. He turned his game up another notch in the final four games of the season as well, tallying 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown.
Playing with the same non-stop motor that has helped his older brother, J.J. Watt, into an NFL star, Watt has work ethic to succeed at the highest level. He also possesses the size (6-foot-5, 252 pounds) and athleticism to make big plays off the edge and had an outstanding combine that showed off these attributes.
In case you were wondering, here’s the side-by-side comparison of J.J. and T.J. Watt at the combine: pic.twitter.com/mNGf30AMOg
— Saturday Tradition (@Tradition) March 6, 2017
As you can see above, his combine measurables were very similar to the ones his brother posted six years prior. And we all know what kind of impact Watt has had during his tenure with the Houston Texans.
Despite all this, T.J. Watt is seen as a Round 2 player. If that’s indeed where he lands, then one lucky team will be counting its blessings.