NFL: Andrew Luck, 10 best players to start a franchise

NFL --- Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) looks for an open receiver during the second quarter as Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) applies pressure at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
NFL --- Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) looks for an open receiver during the second quarter as Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) applies pressure at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 11
Next
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates a sack against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Reliant Stadium. The Broncos won 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates a sack against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Reliant Stadium. The Broncos won 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports /

J.J. Watt, Defensive End – Houston Texans

If Robert Quinn is the best 4-3 defensive end in the NFL, J.J. Watt is easily the best 3-4 defensive end, and perhaps the best defensive player in the entire league. It is hard to imagine that Watt just turned 25 years old given all that he has accomplished in Houston, and the numbers are staggering.

As a player who plays on the interior a great deal, the former Wisconsin defensive lineman exploded to the tune of 20.5 sacks in 2012, and he followed that up with 10.5 more in 2013 despite facing constant double and triple teams. More than that, though, Watt is the extremely rare case of a player who is absolutely elite in both the running game and passing game, and he is utterly unblockable at this stage of his career.

To be quite clear, J.J. Watt would likely be the top overall pick among all defensive players to build a team around, and if assured continued health, he can be penciled in for All-Pro honors for the foreseeable future.