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With having a bevy of elite pass rushers, Pro Football Focus ranked the Steelers' defensive line No. 1 in the NFL, but they don't believe they have one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league.
The PFF Twitter account today asked what's the best pass-rushing duo in the NFL, and a combination of T.J. Watt-Cameron Heyward or T.J. Watt-Stephon Tuitt was not even mentioned.
Instead, they had J.J. Watt-Chandler Jones of the Cardinals, Von Miller-Bradley Chubb of the Broncos, Cameron Jordan-Marcus Davenport of the Saints, Chase Young-Montez Sweat of the Football Team, Myles Garrett-Jadeveon Clowney of the Browns and Shaquil Barrett-Jason Pierre-Paul of the Buccaneers listed.
Watt and Heyward might not be the best pass-rushing duo in the league, but I'd definitely have them over Jordan-Davenport and Garrett-Clowney. I'd have Watt and Tuitt over them, as well.
Clowney is just 28 years old and a three-time Pro Bowler, but I think the signing is being overhyped. He could give the Browns' pass rush a boost, but I don't think he'll be an impact player like some believe.
Clowney has never had double-digit sacks in a season in his career. The most that he's recorded in a season is 9.5 sacks, and he has just 32 sacks in seven seasons. To put that in perspective, T.J. Watt has 49.5 career sacks in just four years with the Steelers.
Watt has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last three years and has been named first-team All-Pro the last two years. He's also a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Heyward has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last four years and was named first-team All-Pro in 2017 and 2019, so it's mind-boggling that PFF didn't have Watt and Heyward listed among the best pass-rushing duos in the league. Tuitt is also one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL, finishing last season with a career-high 11 sacks.