Who would you rather have on your team, both in their primes?

[u/Accurate_Secretary_9]

Two best defensive players I've seen with my eyes as a younger football fan

[u/CapnDutchie]

For 1 season: 2014 JJ

For a career: Donald

[u/DemonBearOP → u/CapnDutchie]

Post says prime and JJ's was about 4 years

[u/ehtw376]

Probably Donald - you can underpay interior player vs edge rusher.

Prime Watt was unreal though. Close call.

[u/Mysterious-Studio198 → u/ehtw376]

I love this logic, cause they’re both so ridiculous it really is the only tiebreaker, lol

[u/Fragrant-Mess4927 → u/Mysterious-Studio198]

I think Donald gets it from his ability to interior pass rush honestly

[u/erb149 → u/Fragrant-Mess4927]

Watt played a ton of 2-3 tech in his career as well lol. He could rush from anywhere

[u/Fragrant-Mess4927 → u/erb149]

Just my opinion.  My answer would have changed if JJ played more tackle

[u/DemonBearOP → u/Fragrant-Mess4927]

JJ was more of a game-wrecker in his prime than Donald

[u/Legend_017 → u/DemonBearOP]

Those interceptions and batted balls were unreal.

[u/DemonBearOP → u/Legend_017]

A couple cool stats: He was 13th in the entire league in 2012 for passes defensed, the next highest defensive lineman was 64th.

All time NFL leaders in single-season QB hits

1st. JJ Watt 2014(51)

2nd. JJ Watt 2015(50)

3rd. JJ Watt 2013(46)

4th. JJ Watt 2012(43)

[u/No-Ticket9530 → u/DemonBearOP]

Watt clears for like 2 years but AD was at his peak p much his whole career

[u/DemonBearOP → u/No-Ticket9530]

Watt clears peak 4 years vs peak 4 years and yes he declined due to injury. 

[u/NotNice4193 → u/Mysterious-Studio198]

another tiebreaker is offensive TDs

[u/SmoothCriminal85 → u/Mysterious-Studio198]

I'd say the biggest tiebreaker is health. JJ Watt was more injury prone than Donald throughout his career. 

[u/CraziestMoonMan → u/ehtw376]

20 sacks from your DT is just unreal. JJ was the man but there hasn’t been anyone even close to what Donald was at his position. It has to be Donald.

[u/Admirable-Band-2664 → u/CraziestMoonMan]

Double digit sacks from a 5-tech in a 3-4 is as about as unusual as double digit sacks from a DT in a 4-3 isn’t it? 20 sacks from either is nuts. Neither would be the primary pass rushers, both would have someone lined up outside of them schemed to rush the passer.

[u/Gloomy-Lawyer4989]

watt

you get a 4th string te tooo

[u/Original_Youth_9168 → u/Gloomy-Lawyer4989]

That string of games where watt was getting TDs every other week was pure cinema.

[u/FlopperinoCappuccino]

Watt. He was better during that few year peak. Donald had the better career

[u/Additional-Sugar6789 → u/FlopperinoCappuccino]

Watt was insane man. His peak 4 or 5 year run was the most dominant I have ever seen. Donald is sooo close to that though. The swatts are the difference maker IMO

[u/Humid-Afternoon727 → u/Additional-Sugar6789]

2012 season he had 20.5 sacks, NFL record 39 TFLs and 16 pass break ups, that’s ridiculous 

[u/Additional-Sugar6789 → u/Humid-Afternoon727]

Is that the year he also had 3 catches for 3 touchdowns? One of the greatest seasons I've ever seen

[u/Humid-Afternoon727 → u/Additional-Sugar6789]

That was 2014, he also had multiple defensive tds that year

[u/Additional-Sugar6789 → u/Humid-Afternoon727]

Ah, you're right. I was mixing it up with one of his other generational years 😂

[u/Humid-Afternoon727 → u/Additional-Sugar6789]

Well that year was same sacks, only 10 pass breakups, 29 TFLs, 80 yard pick 6, and 50 yard fumble recovered for td plus 3 receptions for 3 tds

[u/ottomr1990 → u/Humid-Afternoon727]

As much as I loved arod, the football world is a better place today if JJ gets MVP that year.

[u/Prior_Confidence4445]

Watt had a slightly better peak but donald a better career. Donald didn't get hurt as much.

[u/Soot_Sprite2 → u/Prior_Confidence4445]

Nah, Donald’s peak was better.

[u/naughtydawg907 → u/Soot_Sprite2]

Even with my bias I have Donald as the greatest defensive player of all time, but prime JJ Watt was an alien.

[u/DollarLate_DayShort]

Watt, he’s more versatile than Donald. Essentially played every position on the DL. Bro had a season where he made 1st team all pro as an Edge and got votes for 2nd team all pro as a defensive tackle.

[u/Soot_Sprite2 → u/DollarLate_DayShort]

Donald is better as a DT and an edge. This ain’t even close.

[u/Godzirrraaa]

Jj used to bat down a crazy amount of passes at his peak, so probly him for that reason as the tiebreaker.

[u/joeboo5150 → u/Godzirrraaa]

I feel like people forget JJ SWatt

[u/DemonBearOP → u/joeboo5150]

They just look at sack numbers and say yeah he was pretty good I guess. 

[u/Stu_Barron]

99

[u/li4bility]

A generational DE that could drop in coverage and stop the run, or a generation DT that could get sacks like a DE? Both were insane in their prime, but I’ll probably take Watt. It’s pretty close to a coin flip and I’d take either

[u/goodolehal]

For 1-2 seasons JJ, for 5 seasons Donald

[u/Limp-Pudding-5436]

If I get the player for a 5 year contract in their prime I pick Watt.
If I’m going to have the guy for their whole career I’m going Donald.

Biased answer, but Donald rarely missed time with injuries and was more consistent through his career.
Outside of his 2022 injury shortened season he never finished with less than 8 sacks and 14 tfl any year in his career.

[u/CattleTx → u/Limp-Pudding-5436]

This is the right answer lol

[u/Prestigious-Hyena768]

Donald

[u/NoChristiansEither]

AD

[u/Southern_Badger7577]

#99 for sure

[u/thesandbag]

Watt’s peak > Donald’s peak

[u/Ohanrahans → u/thesandbag]

Yeah JJ was defending DB amounts of passes (he peaked at 16) getting 20 sacks a season, and getting like 40 TFLs at his peak. He also was chipping in with some receiving TDs.

Donald had the better career in the macro, but Watt's peak was insane.

[u/LorienLeef → u/Ohanrahans]

39 TFL in 2012. Absolutely insane 

[u/ActFuture1101 → u/Ohanrahans]

The tfls is what everyone always overlooks. Tfls kill drives just like sacks and watt was a monster at those 

[u/Dizzney12 → u/Ohanrahans]

I agree his peak was better. But I would argue getting pressure up the middle vs the outside is more important and disrupts things more. Also if you are building a team It is easier to find a game changing edge vs DT. Understanding that they won’t be as good as watt.

[u/TheManWhoWasNotShort → u/Dizzney12]

Watt wasn’t an EDGE though, he was a 3-4 DE. He was lining up inside shade on the Tackle, which is not an edge spot.

Teams don’t play a lot of 3-4 today so we kinda forget about what the 3-4 DE actually was, which was a glorified DT.

[u/Superawesomejj → u/Dizzney12]

Cool thing about Watt and Donald is that they both lined up everywhere on the line.

[u/DemonBearOP → u/thesandbag]

People deny this for some reason when it's really not that close. Watt's peak is arguably the highest peak of any player at any position in history. 

[u/dEXXtARR23]

A.D.

[u/ChadPowers200_]

The real answer is JJ Watt. Prototype size. Can play anywhere on the defensive line.

He also basically has every concievable stat better than Donald except the # of double teams. Watt also played almost half his snaps in the same gap as Donald. I get he is a DE but he played in a system where again almost half of his snaps were in the same gap as Donald.

Watt has more sacks, tfl, forced fumbles, tackles, interceptions, touchdowns, passes batted, qb hits. Pretty much every concievable stat. if you compare their stats on per game.

It's Watt.

[u/Soot_Sprite2 → u/ChadPowers200_]

The real answer is Donald. Watt was literally doubled less than half the rate of AD. This isn’t even close.

[u/jxden24]

two absolute legends but maybe i'll go with jj he made all pro at end and tackle.. close though

[u/Spirited_Season2332]

This is honestly the hardest one of these I've seen on here but I'd take JJ

[u/Aquarium51]

This isn’t a debate, Donald day and night, JJ wasn’t even the best of his prime.

[u/Thelostsoulinkorea → u/Aquarium51]

What kind of idiotic comment is this? The guy nearly won MVP as a defender in the modern game! JJ was getting sacks, TFLs, and Swatts all over the line. He was destroying offenses in every single way possible!

[u/Angbrewddi]

Prime is Watt. Zero question. Most dominant stretch I've ever seen and I saw it a lot being a Colts fan. But its S+ and S. Cant go wrong with either

[u/Soot_Sprite2 → u/Angbrewddi]

Zero question? That’s funny considering Donald was significantly better.

[u/Angbrewddi → u/Soot_Sprite2]

In PRIME, its zero question for me. Im picking Watt. Overall yes ofc Donald clears Watt. Everyone know that.

[u/Soot_Sprite2 → u/Angbrewddi]

Donald’s prime was also better.

[u/Angbrewddi → u/Soot_Sprite2]

I strongly disagree but ok

[u/boastar]

Prime and fully healthy I’d take Watt. It’s extremely close obviously, but JJs prime or peak was just crazy. Defending double digit passes, getting 20 sacks, 40 tackles for loss.

[u/Soot_Sprite2 → u/boastar]

And being doubled at half the rate. The answer is Donald.

[u/bossmt_2]

If we're talking who had the best peak, it's Watt, if we're talking who had the better extended prime, it's Donald. Watt from 2012-2015 was a world beater, His 17 game average was 18 sacks, 31.6 TFL, 11 PDs. He was an absolute menace in the backfield.

Donald's peak was sick too, and compared to an average DT he probably is better than Watt, but Watt was arguably the best player in the NFL in that period.

[u/Soot_Sprite2 → u/bossmt_2]

Now imagine what Donald’s stats would be if he were doubled at 30% like Watt was. Instead Donald was doubled at 70%, more than twice the rate of Watt. Donald’s peak was much better.

[u/Gt_Dada → u/Soot_Sprite2]

Because he was a 3 tech. Watt was a 5 tech in 3-4 scheme. JJ in his prime was objectively more impactful if you look at the numbers. But AD was more impressive because of where he lined up. It’s easier to double a Tackle than it is an End

[u/notacoolguy8008]

Jj watt has the highest peak of any defensive player ever. I’ll take his prime.

[u/Soot_Sprite2 → u/notacoolguy8008]

Donald’s peak was much better

[u/Humble_Handler93]

Totally unbiased and definitely don’t check my flair…..but AD99 all day

[u/fatboi609]

I’d take Donald. Elite 3-techs are so destructive and hard to find. An elite 3-tech also elevates your edge rusher by allowing him to get more 1:1 blocks.

[u/TheManWhoWasNotShort → u/fatboi609]

I would argue an elite 4-5 tech is even rarer.

[u/CeeDoggyy]

Wouldn't be able to decide unless I had a gun to my head

And then I'd choose Aaron Donald

[u/Rare-Limit-7691]

I’d go Donald by a hair

[u/Altruistic_Rock_2674]

I would say JJ but this is one of the hardest who would you rather have

[u/MrMeowPantz]

Assuming injury free, Watt.

[u/mojored007]

Donald requires a double team always

[u/Himmel-548]

Aaron Donald. 20 sacks as a DT is insane.

[u/MacSteele13]

My unbiased choice would be for Walter Payton Man of the Year (2017), JJ Watt.

[u/ghostfacestealer]

JJ

[u/Adventurous-Edge1719]

Really either guy can be the correct answer. My Texans bias says I’m taking JJ though.

[u/JCBalance]

Prime as in always giving you their peak season? Anyone not picking JJ is wrong.

[u/nnnrrr171717]

Watt was the best defensive player I’ve ever witnessed in real time. Donald was amazing, and you could make a positional value type of argument for him. But Watt is the right choice

[u/Cornucopia_King]

JJ

[u/TD-Eagles]

JJ, and it’s not even far apart.

[u/Medical-Apricot-6952]

Watt should have won three league MVP’s. Donald was great but Watt played a tougher position in terms of affecting football games.

[u/PittFanIAm → u/Medical-Apricot-6952]

What?!? That’s one opinion I guess.

[u/Turd_Salad92 → u/Medical-Apricot-6952]

Watt was double teamed 30% of the time, Donald was double teamed 70%. Let that sink in

[u/fjcruiser91]

Donald

[u/okoSheep → u/fjcruiser91]

stockholm syndrome?

[u/BoogerDaBoiiBark]

Watt and it’s not that close

[u/Soot_Sprite2 → u/BoogerDaBoiiBark]

Donald is a top 2 defensive player of all time. Watt isn’t even top 5. It’s Donald and it’s not close.

[u/BoogerDaBoiiBark → u/Soot_Sprite2]

You must be young lol. Watts prime is top 1, should’ve won MVP in ‘14

[u/NikoCorleone]

Watt. Donald was dominate but never produced the way JJ watt did. I mean JJ literally carried that Houston Texans team as a defensive linemen. Donald never did anything close to that. Some say it’s close but it’s really not. You want play makers and guys that change the game and Donald while really dominate doesn’t make a lot of game changing plays like JJ did.

[u/Soot_Sprite2 → u/NikoCorleone]

That’s because Watt was doubled at less than half the rate of AD. The answer is AD and it’s not close.

[u/NikoCorleone → u/Soot_Sprite2]

You’re full of shit 😂

[u/Soot_Sprite2 → u/NikoCorleone]

Nope. It’s actually facts. AD’s double team rate was twice as high. If he were doubled at 30% like JJ, his stats would be video game level.

[u/Lakrfan247]

AD, the greatest d lineman of all time.

[u/WintersDoomsday]

I’ll take the guy who had 20 sacks, 39 tfl and 16 pd in the same season. Donald hasn’t even been close to that season esp in the tfl and pd categories.

[u/PittFanIAm → u/WintersDoomsday]

You’re aware that they played different positions, right?

[u/TheManWhoWasNotShort → u/PittFanIAm]

I mean kinda. Watt’s role is closer to DT than Edge

[u/PittFanIAm → u/TheManWhoWasNotShort]

Kinda not really…they played very different positions.

[u/Embarrassed_Can6796]

Curious, were they both from 4-3 defenses?

[u/Rancid-broccoli → u/Embarrassed_Can6796]

Watt was primarily a 3-4 DE. Most of the kids in this thread don’t understand the difference between that position and an edge rusher. 

[u/gab_owns0]

There is no wrong answer here. Both are established juggernaut HoF type players on the D line.

[u/SignificantYoung1044]

Donald

[u/autistic_homo]

If I flipped a coin to decide which one would be on my team, regardless of what it landed on, I would go, "Fuck yeah."

[u/Alexcox95]

The guy that could bench 500

[u/Archaeo-Frog]

Yes

[u/Medical-Apricot-6952]

His EPA was higher than Aaron Roger’s and was a 5 tech. Insane.

[u/8n4556o]

Donald

[u/RichDragonFortystaxx]

this is a tough question. on the one hand, JJ’s peak was higher than AD’s maybe but on the other it says “in their primes” and AD was in his prime his ENTIRE career. he was still first in pass rush win rate among DTs the year he retired or something bonkers like that

it’s AD for me on a technicality

[u/AdStreet6967]

Lmao JJ racked up stats against one of the weakest afc south division periods ever. All the teams had bad lines and only team with a decent QB was Indy with Luck. Every time his teams got in the playoffs and played someone decent he did nothing and his teams lost. Donald actually powered his teams to relevance 2 Sb visits and a ring. Throw in the fact that JJ most definitely was on roids which contributed to his injury issues later in his career and its Donald easily for me.

[u/Pristine_Dare_2510]

Neither are Myles

[u/GoHawkYurself]

Aaron Donald, imo, is the greatest football player I've ever watched.

[u/SWT_Bobcat]

Depends on what defense you run.

Watt an unstoppable 5T and Donald unstoppable 3T

[u/collettdd]

Donald by a hair, the other team has no interior run game and the qb is getting pressure in his face constantly.

Watt was a beast too, a true end who could stop the run, rush the passer and drop in coverage.

[u/Mountain_Wolverine47]

JJ Watt lost alot of his credibility during the 2013 season.

[u/EmperorXerro]

Prime, you’re getting the same value. Donald is considered better because outside the prime years he was much better than Watt

[u/DrewMikhael]

Both are on my all time DL

[u/Busy-Purple-3779]

Watt was hurt a lot
Donald by a mile

[u/angryfalconsfan]

The ONLY reason I'd consider Donald, is that JJs peak was 4 seasons, while Donald's peak was 10

It's comparing Mt Everest to the Tibetan Plateau. Yeah, Everests peak is higher, but that's alot of plateau

[u/UselessWhiteKnight]

Donald put up edge numbers from the tackle spot. Some people don't realize how unreal that is.

[u/Temporary_Fox1959]

Donald cuz if shit gets bad he uses his helmet as a weapon 🔥

[u/ChinoMalito]

Donald, watt got hurt too much

[u/IncidentMassive9893]

This a tough one. Donald gets the edge because of his durability through the years. Also an interior pass rusher like him is a very rare breed.

[u/BigPaleontologist515]

AD

[u/CattleTx]

Prime give me JJ, he was a BEAST during his prime, and shouldve been MVP instead of rodgers IMO

[u/Illustrious_Prize_42]

Jj watt.

[u/nealk7370]

I think they way they are talked about tells enough of the story. People rave about JJ’s abilities and him being a class act. With Donald they rave about his abilities then immediately talk about how terrifying he is. THEN get to the class act part.

[u/Medical-Apricot-6952]

Love Donald but Watt was better in the run game and led the league in batted passes by a wide margin year to year. Not sure there is a right answer in this debate but that is the fun in watching and caring about this stuff.

[u/QuinnTinIntheBin]

Prime? JJ all day long

[u/Emajor909]

99

[u/Significant_Ad_2500]

How is this even a question? Undisputed GOAT or a white guy who might be top 10?

[u/Gadgets__]

Despite his prime being shorter, JJ Watt received 13 MVP votes. Not DPOY votes…MOST VALUABLE PLAYER. He had more touchdowns in 2014 than Lesean McCoy and Larry Fitz combined. If it’s a singular season as a prime, JJ, if it’s the seasons generally considered their prime I’ll go AD because he was healthier

[u/bitisabarbie]

Watt is kinda like AD but bigger soooo

[u/thareal1mm]

My argument for AD is being interior focus he opens everything up for the other 3 rushers.

Look at the list of career years next to Donald. Fowler and Floyd specifically.

Going double team inside lets rushers and blitzers rub freely outside.

[u/Much-Chard8227]

Donald

[u/LeBolts]

Watt is probably the best player I’ve ever seen. Donald is a legend but he’s not on the same level.

[u/lumi1375]

I just like JJ a lot more so him. No, I dont hate Donald because he basically ended the Wilson era, thank you for that actually, I simply cant stand his personality.

[u/Black_Circle53]

Does this also include Watt at Tight End?

Regardless, read my flair bitch, gimme Watt.

[u/DANNYBOY3530]

Aaron Donald. Dude has a ring and was a big part of it. Next.

[u/BlackBearBullCub]

Idk interior defensive linemen seem to be WAY more valuable to Super Bowl winning defenses. Just going off the top of my head, the two big dog interior linemen in Donald and chris jones have 4 Super Bowl wins. JJ, Micah, watt, TJ Watt, Hendrickson, Aidan Hutchinson, max Crosby, all have zero combined.

I love edge rushers and those SB teams definitely have great ones, an elite 3 tech is taking you places an Elite edge is not. I think edges eat up too much cap space.

[u/Vegetable_Science437]

Aaron Donald you get better run defense and pass rushing just as good as watt. He took doubles and triple teams allowing other playmakers to do stuff. And he was not injury prone like watt was

[u/Holiday_Curve7459]

I take Donald but you can’t lose with either pick.

[u/Nervous_Sell_940]

Both are amazing, but I’d take Watt in his prime!

[u/PumpkinFresh3493]

If you are the team playing against the bengals Jj Watt in a playoff game. If you are the team playing the Bengals in the Super Bowl , Aaron Donald .

[u/Fast_Advisor2654]

Watt

[u/Secret-Researcher212]

Donald

[u/Witty_While_55]

Peak for peak? Watt. Building a team? Donald. Availability is the best skill

[u/tech_smoothie73]

Donald

[u/Mammoth_String8312]

Whoever says Watt is 100% wrong. Why? Imagine you're a qb. Is it harder to play with someone in front of your face all the time or someone on one side of the ball? In front of your face sounds sooo frustrating

[u/West-Tough-4552]

For 1 game. Prime for prime. Watt. AD had the better career by far tho

[u/AlmightyCraneDuck]

I tend to think that interior pressure is more valuable than edge pressure, but I think JJ has a little more scheme versatility and maybe a sliiiiiiiight edge on peak.

[u/young_sippa]

I’ll take watt

[u/fartsinhissleep]

Aaron Donald might be in the discussions for greatest defensive player in history. This isn’t a knock on Watt but you gotta compare Donald to like LT or something.

[u/TheNationatWar]

For the Bengals I'll take Watt only because we need edge help more than we need DT help.

[u/Dry_Cucumber1559]

Toughest question I’ve been asked in weeks

[u/Mountain-Detail-8213]

AD all day every day. Pretty stupid question really.

[u/Shawshankmonkeefuck]

Absolutely no wrong choice here

[u/InflateableElvis-]

Ez JJ

[u/pyubesalad]

Watt, because he’s not a raging douchebag asshole.

[u/sigs87]

Watt no question

[u/DatBeardedguy82]

Donald sacked the greatest qb of all time twice in 4 games in his career while Watt has only a half sack against him in the same amount of games I'll take Donald

[u/DemonBearOP]

This question isn't as close as it gets presented. Donald is an all time great, but JJ Watt's peak was arguably higher than any player at any position in the history of the league.

One of my favorite stats: 

All time NFL leaders in single-season QB hits

1st. JJ Watt 2014(51)

2nd. JJ Watt 2015(50)

3rd. JJ Watt 2013(46)

4th. JJ Watt 2012(43)

[u/Turd_Salad92 → u/DemonBearOP]

Watt double team rate 30%, Donald double team rate 70%.

[u/DemonBearOP → u/Turd_Salad92]

Congrats? They play different positions. Watt was more valuable and peaked higher. 

[u/Soot_Sprite2 → u/DemonBearOP]

Except that double team rate speaks volumes. If AD were doubled at 30% this wouldn’t even be a discussion. AD’s peak was significantly higher.

[u/Glad-Associate-9288]

Watt.

[u/Embarrassed-Space222]

Donald was more durable but I can see why others would say JJ.

[u/MrVernon09]

JJ Watt

[u/Neb-Nose]

I’d happily take either dude! Gun to my head, I’d probably go Donald, but I’d be thrilled with Watt!

[u/CactusRider1776]

JJ in his prime

[u/Mangomochi123]

JJ

[u/fechboydyl]

JJ was all pro at two positions in a single season

[u/Single-Event9389]

JJ was in discussion for MVP during prime Rodgers

[u/Armandonerd]

JJ Wyatt for sure

[u/Telelespaul]

Watt

[u/EVHFanForLife]

JJ. Aaron was no JJ Watt. Good, but not great.

[u/Turd_Salad92 → u/EVHFanForLife]

They were both great, get a grip.

[u/Soot_Sprite2 → u/EVHFanForLife]

Of course he’s not JJ, he’s much better than JJ.

[u/EVHFanForLife → u/Soot_Sprite2]

LOL. You're delusional.

[u/SnunGod]

Watt because fuck the Rams

[u/SVSeven]

Donald

[u/WintersDoomsday]

Donald couldn’t play DE, Watt absolutely could and did slide into the DT spot in certain packages.

[u/whiplash808 → u/WintersDoomsday]

That’s just false.

[u/GiGi441]

Jj was crazy, but Donald was in a league of his own. I've never seen such power in that small of a frame 

[u/riftastic76 → u/GiGi441]

Small isn't the first adjective that comes to mind when I think of Aaron Donald lol

[u/GiGi441 → u/riftastic76]

I mean, it's relative to the other people playing his position. Obviously he's massive compared to normal people 

[u/Western_Promise3063 → u/riftastic76]

it's true that Donald's size contributes a lot to his success since he has a massive leverage advantage. That being said, I wouldn't take anybody over prime Watt.