10 defensive players to watch in 2020

4. J.J Watt, DE, Houston Texans

Unfortunately, J.J. Watt has so often been injured the last four years that it seems like people have forgotten just how prevalent he is. Since 2016, he has played in just 32 games. Although, he did play a full season in 2018 and made the Pro Bowl and was an All-Pro.

Before Watt was hit with an array of injuries, he was by far the best defensive player in all of football. In just his second year in the NFL, he racked up 20.5 sacks, which is tied for the fourth-most for a single season in league history. He has hit that number twice.

It is an undeniable fact that nearly every year that Watt has been healthy enough to play a full season, he has been an All-Pro and a Pro Bowler. He has hit the 16-game mark six times, and he has received such honors five times.

Watt has also won three AP Defensive Player of the Year awards. This ties him with Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor for the most times given the award.

Now 31-years old with a lot of hits on his body, Watt might be inching towards the end of his career. Not that he is retiring this year, but he may have just a couple more seasons competing at the highest level.

If Watt is healthy in 2020, that probably means he is back playing like one of the best pass rushers in football. You will not want to miss that.