J.J. Watt would be superb addition for the Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
It’s been almost a year now since the Arizona Cardinals acquired one of the best players on the Houston Texans roster. DeAndre Hopkins, a superstar wide receiver, rewarded the club with the fifth Pro Bowl selection of his career in 2020. Could the Cards dip into that franchise’s talent pool again in 2021 by adding Houston’s best defensive performer of the past decade?
On Friday, the Texans continued the dismantling of their squad by parting ways with the extremely popular J.J. Watt. If any unit could use the five-time Pro Bowler it’s the Arizona defense. Vance Joseph’s group has been far too inconsistent since the coordinator took the Cardinals job two years ago.
To put it bluntly, the Redbirds need a difference-maker on that side of the ball. Even at 31 years of age, Watt could provide the skill and leadership that could help to cover up Joseph’s obvious deficiencies. Unfortunately for the Cards, the 11th-year defensive end will have no shortage of suitors on the open market.
Watt was the 11th-overall pick of the NFL Draft back in 2011. The 6’5, 288 pounder was a star for two campaigns at the University of Wisconsin after transferring from Central Michigan University in 2008. As a junior in 2010, Watt totaled 62 tackles (a whopping 21 for a loss), seven sacks and an interception for the Badgers.
The explosive Watt shot to prominence in 2012, during his sophomore season with Houston. In 16 starts, the Wisconsin native racked up 81 tackles (39 for a loss), 20.5 sacks, 16 passes defensed, 43 quarterback hits and four forced fumbles. Mind-boggling statistics for a second-year player at the professional level.
Watt’s numbers in 2014 for the Texans were just as impressive. In 16 starts, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year registered 78 tackles (29 for a loss), 20.5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, 51 quarterback hits and four more forced fumbles. During a week-four victory over the Buffalo Bills, Watt returned an interception 80 yards for a touchdown.
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During his 10 campaigns with the Texans, Watt recorded 531 tackles (172 for a loss), 101 sacks, 61 pass breakups, 282 quarterback hits, 25 forced fumbles and two defensive scores. There will be a ton of competition for his services, but the Cards would benefit greatly by landing the five-time First-Team All-Pro. General manager Steve Keim needs to outbid the competitors, and put Watt in a Cardinals uniform as soon as possible.