ESPN NFL on T.J. Watt

ArticleRanking the top edge rushers: Execs, coaches and s...Captured July 9, 2026
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This is a sizable fall for Watt, a three-time sack king who logged back-to-back No. 2 rankings over the past two years. Watt missed three late-season games in 2025 with a partially collapsed lung due to an accident during a routine dry needling incident at the team facility. But his pass rush win rate in 14 games was 11.7%, the lowest among this year's top 10 rushers.

STACKED’s take

Negative signalProjection

No. 7 ranking; 11.7% pass rush win rate, injury concerns, possible trade.

Watt fell significantly to No. 7 in ESPN's rankings after back-to-back No. 2 rankings over the past two years. He missed three late-season games in 2025 with a partially collapsed lung from a dry needling accident at the team facility. His pass rush win rate in 14 games was 11.7%, the lowest among this year's top 10 rushers. An AFC executive said he is "definitely in decline," noting "some of the younger players have surpassed him," though he remains "still very good." A personnel evaluator cited lower-body injuries affecting his "burst and get-off." Pittsburgh plans to utilize all three top edge rushers (Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig), and some executives believe the Steelers might entertain a Watt trade for the right price.

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