Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Recap: Grades and Analysis
Round 1, Pick 30: T.J. Watt – Outside Linebacker, Wisconsin
While some see secondary as the team’s biggest issue, it’s clear that the team needed to improve their pass rush to help support the evolving secondary. The universe aligned and the Steelers hit a home run by drafting T.J. Watt.
Watt has ideal size for the position at 6’4″, 252 lbs. He uses his hands very well, competes relentlessly on every play and should continue to grow into a complete linebacker under the tutelage of coach Joey Porter. Here are some of his college highlights:
Warning: Video contains NSFW language
More potential than J.J. Watt?
T.J. is the youngest Watt brother, following his brothers J.J. and Derek in the NFL. J.J. Watt had very high praise for T.J. as he begins his NFL career:
"“He’s so similar to me but he’s farther along than I was at that point in the process… He’s a lot better player than I was [coming into the NFL]” – J.J. Watt"
That is a huge compliment coming from the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The biggest knock on the youngest Watt brother is the unknown. He’s a one-year starter who has only played outside linebacker for two seasons. Relatively inexperienced to the position, Watt has a lot of room to grow as he settles into his own. However, when you watch the tape and see the way he carries himself, it’s hard to bet against T.J. Watt‘s long-term success.
Full draft profile here.