J.J. Watt, Chandler Jones make NFL’s top 30 players over 30
Aug 17, 2021, 11:43 AM
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JULY 30: JJ Watt #99 of the Arizona Cardinals talks to Chandler Jones #55 during training camp at State Farm Stadium on July 30, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
NFL.com has two Arizona Cardinals players in their top 30 players over the age of 30, with J.J. Watt coming in at No. 20 and fellow pass-rusher Chandler Jones at No. 16.
Watt, 32, is entering his first season with the team after a 10-year career with the Houston Texans where he was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Since turning 30 prior to the 2019 season, Watt started in 24 games and had 9.0 sacks. He does more than just get to the quarterback, forcing three fumbles and having 10 passes defended in that time.
In the latest installment of the NFL Top 100 voted on by the players, Watt came in at No. 66, his ninth-straight selection.
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Watt is currently nursing a hamstring injury that has held him out of training camp, but he expects to be ready for Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans.
As for Jones, the 31-year-old is looking to return to his form before suffering a season-ending biceps injury in 2020.
Jones had a career year as a 29-year-old in 2019, having the second-most sacks in the league with 19.0. He led the league in sacks in 2017 with 17.0.
The franchise is hoping the two over-30 players can link to become one of the league’s best pass-rushing tandems.
However, prior to camp it was reported that Jones requested a trade, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
A few of the Cardinals’ NFC West divisional foes made the over-3o list as well, with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (33) at No. 14, Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (31) at No. 10, San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Trent Williams (33) at No. 6, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (32) at No. 4 and the No. 1 overall player age 30 or more, Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald (30).
