Breaking down Steelers NFL Combine numbers over the past decade

How did T.J. Watt measure up?

So what does this all mean for defensive players? At the NFL Combine, T.J. Watt ran a 40-yard dash that would put him in the middle of the pack. As a matter of fact, at 4.69 seconds, the part of me still afflicted by #40yarddasheritus was concerned he might not be athletic enough to pressure QB’s at the next level.

I mean, look at Bud Dupree. For anyone suffering from #40yarddasheritus, Bud is a dream come true. He did not test in the 3 cone at the combine, nor at his pro day, but he did turn in an eye-popping 4.56 seconds in the 40 and posted an incredible 42 inches in the vertical jump. The media draft gurus were salivating and flat out ignored the 4.48 seconds that Alvin Bud Dupree turned in for the short shuttle. I was sold. I think many people were. He was much faster than T.J. Watt would prove to be a couple of years later, and if he didn’t move so well laterally, why did that matter when we all knew he could run to the ball?

Then Bud struggled to get to the QB. It wasn’t like the Steelers’ first-round pick from 2015 was a total bust. He has been an effective starter when it comes to setting the edge against the run. That explosion so many saw in the vertical jump has translated to the power needed to keep running backs from getting outside contain on Bud’s side of the ball.

That said, while Von Miller and Justin Houston and other successful pass rushers managed to bend the edge and get to the signal-caller, Bud often washed past the QB and well into the offensive backfield, out of the play.

Enter T.J. Watt. I think we all fondly remember the OLB from Wisconsin posting 2 sacks in his first game as a professional, albeit against the Cleveland Browns. Speaking at least for myself, the excitement at the time was tempered due to the quality of competition, but as I looked into T.J.’s measurables, none of us should have been surprised.

When the Steelers drafted Watt, the world knew his brother well.  J.J. Watt had lit the combine on fire by posting a 4.84-second 40-yard dash, a 6.88-second short shuttle, and a mind-blowing 4.21 second 3 cone drill, all at 290 pounds. He then went on to dominate the league with multiple defensive player of the year titles. His work ethic is legendary.

The younger brother of J.J. was 40 lbs. lighter and had only spent one season in his role at outside linebacker in college. Perhaps it was the weight difference or just the immense shadow of the elder Watt, but the world did not stand up and shout when T.J. posted 4.69, 6.79, and 4.13 respectively at the combine drills. They should have. Little brother had outperformed big brother in every drill.

We know how this all turned out. T.J. has become the compliment that Bud needed. While Watt “gumbies” the edge and closes quickly on QB’s with incredibly efficient pass rush moves, Bud wins with pure explosion and effort. Together they’ve returned the black and gold to the fearsome pass rush combos of yore.