Most discussions on 2024 Defensive Player of the Year puts TJ Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers), Zack Baun (Philadelphia Eagles), Pat Surtain II (Denver Broncos), and Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals) as the names that make the loudest noise but for NFL and Wisconsin Badgers legend J.J. Watt, there’s another name that should be in the conversation.
Watt, who is a three-time DPOY himself, thinks Andrew Van Ginkel of the Minnesota Vikings has an argument to get the award.
Van Ginkel played one season for Wisconsin while J.J. spent three seasons as a Badger.
“I think [the race] about as open as it’s been in a while. As you’ve seen, pass-rushers get that first look. That’s just how it goes,” he said as a guest at ESPN’s ‘The Pat McAfee Show
“A guy that I think is extremely overlooked in all this [is] Andrew Van Ginkel up in Minnesota. Two pick-sixes on the year, six [pass breakups], over 75 tackles…He’s doing everything in the run, in the pass, dropping back, rushing the passer, picking it, and I think he’s overlooked.”
Is J.J. Watt just being sentimental as a Wisconsin Badgers?
The older Watt’s take is interesting given how his brother is also on the list and is currently having the highest odds of winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Does Van Ginkel have the numbers to make his case for the honors?
The Vikings linebacker made a leap this season, winning his first ever Pro Bowl since entering the league in 2019 as a 151st overall pick.
He was also named NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 16.
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His 2024 numbers, as well as the Vikings’ record, are a strong as any players in the DPOY candidate list.
He had 79 total tackles this season, 19 of them were hit on quarterbacks. He also had 11 sacks and six pass deflections to lead his team.
Does Van Ginkel deserve it?
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