For most of the season, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt was among the frontrunners for Defensive Player of the Year. And when the NFL gives our their awards just before the Super Bowl, he still might win. But the PFWA put our their big end of the year awards and they decided to go with New England Patriots Stephon Gilmore instead.
We realize this award is more than just the numbers but compared to the top edge rushers in the league we aren’t sure how Gilmore really stacks up. Watt had 55 tackles, 14.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and two interceptions in 2019. When you compare him to the other top edge rushers in the league like Shaq Barrett in Tampa Bay, it is a crowded group at the top.
But where does Gilmore fit in? Well, compared to another Steelers cornerback, not great. Steven Nelson, who got no postseason accolades at all put up similar numbers to Gilmore.
Nelson might be the most underrated defender in the league. But just seeing this brings into question how Gilmore beat out Watt.
