Steelers' TJ Watt Quickly Deemed To Be Better Than Myles Garrett By Raiders Star Maxx Crosby

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted TJ Watt with the 30th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the same year the Cleveland Browns selected Myles Garrett with the first overall pick. Ever since they were drafted, these two have been two of the best defensive players in the NFL, which has stemmed a long winded debate amongst fans about which of the two is better. The answer should be obvious since Watt tied the all-time single season sack record, and won the NFL's Defensive Player Of The Year Award in 2021. However there are still many people in NFL media that side with Garrett.

Steelers' Watt Is Admired By Raiders Star Maxx Crosby

Both Watt and Garrett have been having spectacular seasons in 2023, and the two have similar numbers on the year. Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby has also catapulted himself into the conversation as one of the best defensive players in the NFL. Watt, Garrett, and Crosby are all considered to be the three front-runners to be the 2023 Defensive Player Of The Year. 

On a recent appearance on the Bussin' With The Boys Podcast by Barstool Sports, Crosby was asked about the comparisons between the three players and the Defensive Player Of The Year Award. Watt, Garrett, and Crosby all currently hold 9.5 sacks on the year as they are all tied for second in the NFL. When asked about what the similarities and differences between the three players, he showed a lot of appreciation for Watt's skill set. 

"The obvious answer is we all disrupt games. I think with TJ, just his ability to not only rush the passer, but the batted balls, interceptions at the line of scrimmage. That's what separates him and makes him indifferent."

Watt is obviously an extremely talented pass rusher. He currently is tied for the most sacks in a single season, and is the all-time leader in sacks for the Steelers franchise. As pointed out by Crosby, Watt also makes himself a factor in defending the pass. He has seven interceptions in his career, with the most recent being in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams which was a game changing moment and helped the Steelers secure the victory. Watt's seven career interceptions easily leads the trio, as Garrett and Crosby each have zero interceptions in their career. 

Watt also has the most career sacks amongst the three. Crosby entered the NFL in 2019, so obviously he is at a disadvantage just based off of experience and opportunity. Crosby currently has 47 sacks, Garrett has 84, and Watt leads the way with 87. Watt and Crosby separate themselves from Garrett in areas of the game that don't involve rushing the passer. Watt is one of the best in the league at batting down passes at the line of scrimmage, as he has done so 43 times in his career whiles Garrett has only 15 and Crosby has 17. 

Crosby is extremely effective in stopping the run, and he also doesn't take himself off the field at all. Crosby plays the majority of the snaps for the Raiders defense, and he does so at a high level. This was one of his main selling points on why he should win Defensive Player Of The Year for the 2023 season.

"There's nobody doing what I'm doing. As far as how many snaps I'm playing and doing it at a high level. Disrupting the run and pass game. I feel like that separates me from everyone else."

According to Crosby's analysis of the current race to be the 2023 Defensive Player Of The Year, it should really only come down to him and Watt because of the way they separate themselves from other defenders in the league. Guys like Garrett and the Dallas Cowboys' Micah Parsons are both really talented players, but they don't effect games in the same way that Watt and Crosby do. 

What do you think of Crosby's comments? Let us know in the comments below!

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