NFL: Best 10 players 25 or younger

9 of 11

Nov 24, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) throws the ball during the first quarter as Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) defends at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

3. J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans

J.J. Watt, who turned 25 on March 22, was taken 11th overall out of Wisconsin by the Houston Texans. After a solid rookie season that included 56 tackles and 5.5 sacks, he exploded onto the scene in 2012.

Watt was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year after posting a league-leading 20.5 sacks, batting down 16 passes, forcing four fumbles and notching 81 tackles.

He was an All-Pro for the second straight year in 2013 with 10.5 sacks, seven passes defensed, four forced fumbles and 80 tackles, even as the Texans collapsed around him to a 2-14 season.

Pro Football Focus ranked Watt as the No. 1 4-3 defensive end in the league last season – by a huge margin. Watt’s 99.8 grade was almost three times that of runner-up Calais Campbell of the Arizona Cardinals (34.1).

In addition to Watt’s 10.5 sacks, he also had 36 quarterback hits and 38 hurries, continuing to be more than just a handful for opposing offensive lines to contend with.

Home/NFL