Eagles Star Tackle Acknowledges Steelers Great TJ Watt As Top-5 Pass Rusher In NFL

We are just a few months away from seeing the Pittsburgh Steelers kick off the 2023 season. With OTAs and minicamp in the books, we now have a few weeks in preparation for training camp in Latrobe. As a result, this is the time that everyone loves to rank various players throughout the league. That even includes the players themselves.

Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman, Lane Johnson has established himself as one of the best tackles in the league. In other words, his opinion is well-respected. On The Richard Sherman Podcast, Johnson listed some names that he considers to be the best.

"Man, they're all so unique. Myles [Garrett], I think Maxx Crosby is a really good player. TJ Watt. Those players, they're so smart. Those three, Micah [Parsons], I've had some good battles with DeMarcus [Lawrence]. Everyone has different matchups."

Given that the Eagles play the Dallas Cowboys twice a year, it makes sense that he included their two star edge rushers. Perhaps most notably, he left of the reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year in Nick Bosa. Unfortunately for the Steelers, they will have to face Bosa and the San Francisco in Week 1. For Bosa, this may become bulletin board material, and it's not like Johnson hasn't faced the 49ers' star.

In fact, the two sides faced off in the NFC Championship this past season. While Bosa didn't register a sack, he still made his presence felt. He racked up four total tackles, including two for loss. Other than him, other notable omissions include Matt Judon as well as Steelers breakout star, Alex Highsmith. Highsmith, who forms arguably the best duo in the NFL with Watt, is awaiting a possible contract extension this offseason.

Will Steelers' Highsmith eventually be a top-five edge rusher?

Watt was the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, but some people seem to have forgotten just how elite he is. The Steelers star did miss seven games in 2022, and he seemed to play through injury when he was on the field. In 10 games, he had 5.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, five pass deflections, and two interceptions. Recently, 49ers tight end George Kittle said he will not let Watt get past him in Week 1.

While Kittle is regarded as the best blocking tight end in football, time will tell if he can slow down one of the game's best edge rushers. Reverting back to Johnson's comments, the four-time Pro Bowler gave fans a sleeper that was hard to defend in his prime. 

"You can ask Trent [Williams], you can ask Tyron [Smith], Olivier Vernon might have been the hardest player for a lot of guys to block. Just a weird built dude, 6'1", 6'2", wears like a size 17 shoe."

That's an interesting name, one that fans wouldn't necessarily think of. Vernon played for the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns for the final two years of his nine-year career. He appeared in three contests against the Steelers as a member of the Browns, as he had one sack and two tackles for loss. The prime of his career came with the Miami Dolphins and in 127 career games, Vernon had 63.5 sacks and 87 tackles for loss. 

Still, Watt gets the respect of being a top-five edge rusher. Just a year ago, he was seen as the best after his historic 2021 season. Now, it's time for him to bounce back in 2023. 

Do you agree with Johnson's list of the best edge rushers? Besides Bosa, an obvious choice, who was the biggest snub from his list? Does Highsmith have top-five potential?