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NFL: Who are the 10 best pass rushers?

By Lyle Graversen

Aug 23, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) is sacked by St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (94) in the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) is sacked by St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (94) in the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 24, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) attempts a pass as Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) applies pressure during the third quarter at Reliant Stadium. The Jaguars defeated the Texans 13-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) attempts a pass as Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) applies pressure during the third quarter at Reliant Stadium. The Jaguars defeated the Texans 13-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 – J.J. Watt – DE – Houston Texans

While Gerald McCoy is a special talent at DT, J.J. Watt may just be the greatest pass rushing interior lineman in NFL history. He possesses the speed to rush off the edge and the power to overwhelm blockers on the interior. Watt may be listed as a 3-4 DE, but he’s more versatile than that label suggests. His 85 total QB pressures was second in the NFL and so was his +57.0 pass rushing grade from PFF.

His 36 QB hits was not only the highest in the NFL, it beat second place by a full 11 hits. When you factor in the fact that the Texans went 2-14 last season and were constantly playing from behind and facing offenses that were trying to run out the clock on them in the second half it is mind boggling that Watt had 11 more QB hits than any other defender in the league. If you wanted to make the argument that J.J. Watt is the best pass rusher in the NFL you would certainly have a valid argument.

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