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Top 30 NFL players of the 21st century

By Jarrett Bailey

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts with Jordan Jenkins #48 before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts with Jordan Jenkins #48 before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 03: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans looks on against the Tennessee Titans during a game at NRG Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 03: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans looks on against the Tennessee Titans during a game at NRG Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

10. J.J. Watt

The 21st century has given us a lot of great defenders, and Watt is easily one of the best. In just his second year in the league in 2012, Watt racked up 20.5 sacks and was named First-Team All-Pro, winning his first Defensive Player of the Year Award. He would be named All-Pro each year from 2012-15 as he put up amazing seasons one after the other.

Watt once again recorded 20.5 sacks in 2014 and was named Defensive Player of the Year for a second time. He led the NFL in sacks in 2015 with 17.5 and won his third Defensive Player of the Year Award in four seasons.

Injuries played a big part in his lack of production in the mid-2010s, but Watt is arguably the best defender of the last decade. Whether he is sacking the quarterback or knocking down passes at the line of scrimmage, he is the definition of disruptive. Now with the Arizona Cardinals, Watt is looking to win the first Super Bowl of his storied career. Regardless if he gets a ring or not, he will be a Hall of Famer when his career is all said and done.

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