Do the Steelers have the most impressive player in the NFL this year?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have no shortage of talent in 2020. Here’s why T.J. Watt might be the most impressive player in the NFL early this season.

There’s no question that quarterback is far-and-away the most important position on the team. Steelers fans will be sure to remind you of that after the trainwreck they witnessed in 2019. The ball is in their hands on every offensive snap, and they are the only position on the team that truly has control over the game.

Having Ben Roethlisberger back has been a major improvement so far for Pittsburgh. Though the aging quarterback is still working on shaking the rust off, having him on the field has given the Steelers a chance to win every game they play.

Despite the undeniable importance of the quarterback position, the Steelers may have the most impressive player in the league this year in edge defender, T.J. Watt. Though he can’t impact the game like a quarterback, his presence on the field is the next closest thing.

Why T.J. Watt may be the most impressive player in the league

Watt was incredible in 2019. He led the NFL in both forced fumbles and pressures and graded out as the best edge defender in the league last season, according to Pro Football Focus. As a result, Watt earned first-team All-Pro honors and was a legitimate contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

So far this year, I’m not sure if there’s another player in the league who is more deserving of that award than T.J. Watt. Though the Steelers have played just three games so far, Watt has earned 3.5 sacks, 5 tackles for a loss, 10 quarterback hits, and an interception, according to Pro Football Reference.

He’s even more impressive when you look at advanced analytics. Watt is currently first in the league in pass rush win rate – crushing all other defenders this season. According to ESPN Analytics, Watt’s 39 percent pass rush win rate is 6 percent higher than the next highest player in the league. Here’s a look at how he stacks up to the top pass rushers so far in 2020:

As a result, the Steelers defense has a team pass rush win rate of 60 percent so far this year – the highest mark in the league. Though there are other very talented players on Pittsburgh’s defensive line, Watt is noticeably more dominant than the rest, and the attention he draws from opposing offenses is evidence of that.

With his combination of strength, athleticism, pass rush moves, and ability to dominate against the run and pass, T.J. Watt is the closest thing the NFL currently has to a perfect defensive player. If he’s not the most impressive player in the league right now, I’m not sure who is.