J.J. Watt was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year who had a pair of 20-sack seasons during his decorated career with the Texans. Watt's former teammate, Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader, says Aidan Hutchinson "has all the tools to be a Defensive Player of the Year" himself.
After racking up a career-high 4.5 sacks in the Lions' loss to the Bucs last Sunday, Hutchinson told the Detroit Football Network this week that "it's always been one of my goals since I got into the league to break" the NFL's single-season sack record, which is shared by Michael Strahan and J.J.'s brother T.J Watt at 22.5.
And what does J.J. Watt think of Hutchinson?
"Guy’s a beast. He’s a freak," Watt said this week on the Pat McAfee Show. "It’s awesome to watch. He clearly works on his game. He’s got some great techniques, great tactics."
Hutchinson had three sacks in the first quarter alone last Sunday, preying on Buccaneers backup tackle Justin Skule. Watt pointed out that on a couple of his sacks, Hutchinson benefited from an "extremely deep" drop by Baker Mayfield, which is a "defensive lineman's dream, especially an edge rusher."
"When a quarterback drops back at 7.5 yards, 8 yards, that’s a tough spot for us to get to because it’s a lot easier for the offensive lineman to set and get in the way. If a quarterback starts dropping back 9, 10, 11 yards, that’s when you’re like, 'Oh, this is beautiful,' because you can just run that hoop and get around the edge," Watt said.
Hutchinson did that frequently against Skule, beating him around the right side of the line with speed and power rushes. And when a pass rusher is hot like that early in the game, "You’re sitting on that bench feeling immaculate," said Watt.
"And then you go out there and play a little more loose, a little more free and all of the sudden there he ends up with 4.5," Watt said. "Big, big day for him."
Don't be surprised if Hutch has another one on tap, as he prepares to face the Cardinals backup right tackle on Sunday. He said this week that he's proud of his production thus far, also pointing out that "sacks are a funny thing: It's all about being in the right place at the right time."
"A lot of those were just because the D-line, we were all rushing together as one, too," Hutchinson said. "That always helps.
He added that his fast start to the season is "a culmination" of all his work, "physically, mentally, just being in the league now, seeing what I've seen."
"Everything just slows down more once you've been in the game. Just my development as a player, too, I think all those things, year after year, your level of play is only going to rise," Hutchinson said.