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3 Reasons Why the 49ers Should Draft T.J. Watt

By James LeBreton

Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Western Michigan Broncos offensive lineman Taylor Moton (72) and Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt (42) in action in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Western Michigan Broncos offensive lineman Taylor Moton (72) and Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt (42) in action in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner (99) during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The New York Jets defeated the San Francisco 49ers 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner (99) during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The New York Jets defeated the San Francisco 49ers 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

When building a championship team there’s no such thing as a half dominant defense. You must be equally skilled in terms of pass rush and run defense if you want to compete with the best. Unfortunately, when you’re the second worst team in the NFL, it’s hard to pinpoint what side of your defense needs help the most.

Last year, the 49ers defense gave up 406 yards-per-game and 480 total points in 16 regular-season games.

So how do you address the problem?

You draft a player that specializes against the pass, knows how to stuff the run and has a motor that doesn’t stop until the play is over.

T.J. Watt is a raging bull from the beginning of the play to the end of the whistle. In the running game he attacks the guard and traps the lead blocker making it seem as though the tailback is alone on the field. This not only minimizes the amount of yards the running back will get before the initial collision, it stops the play before it has a chance to develop.

His 15.5 tackles-for-loss show his ability to break the line of scrimmage and get to the ball carrier in a hurry.

Against the pass, he isn’t the fastest guy around the corner, but he is the hardest worker in the huddle. Where many feel he loses points for not breezing by the offensive tackle, his pursuit of the quarterback is tireless and he will wear everyone down in his way.

With 56 pressures, 30 hurries, 16 hits and 11.5 sacks on the quarterback, T.J. Watt is everything that the 49ers need on the field moving forward.

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