NFL Predictions: JJ Watt Will Be the Defensive Rookie of the Year

JJ Watt may have been the most undervalued player in the 2011 NFL draft, but with 16 games of film in the NFL he may become the Houston Texans' third defensive rookie of the year (DeMeco Ryans 2006, Brian Cushing 2009).  It is hard for a defensive lineman to win the award, especially if he is not drafted in the top three and creating huge sack numbers.

Despite the fact that Watt will have to overcome several challenges, he also has several things going for him. The fact that Watt will be joining a defense that was politely described as inept can go either way for Watt.  On one hand, he clearly will not be dropped into a position that allows him to grow throughout his rookie season and to focus on the details of his transition from college to the pros. 

However, if Wade Phillips’ impact as defensive coordinator and the addition of free agents Johnathan Joseph and Daniel Manning can help turn around the defense, then Watt may be the beneficiary of the Texans improvement and may find himself in the running for defensive rookie of the year.

Don’t think that Watt does not deserve the praise though.  In three truncated preseason games Watt’s impact has been felt by the coaches, his teammates and the fans.  The first thing that anyone will tell you about is Watt’s motor.  He is a high energy guy that goes hard the whole time, and it seems like he is rubbing off on the rest of the team.  He will fight and claw through double teams to get to the ball; he will never stop until he gets there.  Even when the offense runs a play away from him, you still see Watt at the end of the play hustling over to the pile to either make sure that the ball carrier is down or to pull his teammates up off of the pile.  He is a consummate professional and it is obvious.

What makes Watt so special and a legitimate candidate for defensive rookie of the year is that he is so much more than hustle.  Hustle is something that you can find plenty of in the NFL, but too often it is reserved for seventh round draft picks.  Watt is physically gifted, as anyone that watches him can see, but he understands the game.  He understands his role in the game and does not play out of control. 

One specific example came when the Texans were playing against the San Francisco 49ers.  The 49ers ran the ball away from him and tried to block him with Vernon Davis.  While it was clear that Watt could have blown up Davis and chased the ball up into the line, he had contain on that play and he did not give it up just to prove to his new coaches that he was that hustle guy that everyone keeps talking about. 

While it did not impact that specific play, in the future when Chris Johnson or Maurice Jones-Drew are in the hole but then decided to bounce it out, Watt will be there.  He can shut down that play and save a 20-yard gain, a touchdown or a back-breaking play.  JJ Watt is not an early favorite for the award, but for the coaches, players and fans that watch more than SportsCenter's Top 10 plays, he needs to be on your watch list.