In CBS Sports' annual ranking of the top 100 players in the NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers' outside linebacker T.J. Watt has secured the fifth spot. The ranking, compiled by Pete Prisco, acknowledges Watt's exceptional talent and impact on the field.

Watt's position on the list may come as no surprise to fans, considering his remarkable performance last season. He led the NFL in sacks with a stunning total of 19, solidifying his reputation as a game-changer. Despite a brief injury setback in 2022, Watt demonstrated his unwavering dominance as one of the league's premier edge players.

Impressively, Watt's sack leader title marks a historic achievement, as he became the first player in official NFL history to accomplish this feat in three separate seasons. He previously led the league in sacks in both 2020 and 2021. Watt's outstanding statistics and consistent impact on the game have propelled him to his fifth-place ranking, a six-spot improvement from the previous year.

Throughout the season, Watt showcased his prowess as the leader of the Steelers' defense and pass rush. In addition to his impressive sack count, he recorded 68 total tackles, including 48 solo tackles. Watt also accumulated 36 quarterback hits, 19 tackles for loss, forced four fumbles, deflected eight passes, recovered three fumbles, and even intercepted a pass. His dynamic performance resulted in one of the most eye-catching stat lines of the season, reinforcing his well-deserved position among the league's elite players.

As Watt enters his age-30 season, he is on the verge of becoming the second-fastest player in NFL history to reach 100 sacks, sitting just 3.5 sacks away from the remarkable milestone.

Joining Watt on Prisco's list as the second-highest-ranked Steeler is wide receiver George Pickens. Despite struggling with inconsistent quarterback play last season, Pickens made a strong impression, earning the 68th spot. Prisco highlighted Pickens' 63 receptions and his impressive average of 18.1 yards per catch, leading the entire NFL in this category. Pickens proved to be a big-play threat, showcasing his versatility with an expanded route tree and demonstrating improved yards after the catch. With the anticipation of better quarterback play as Russell Wilson joins the team, Pickens is poised to increase his impact on the field.

Another notable Steelers player on Prisco's list is free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, though he experienced a drop in rankings due to an injury-plagued season. Fitzpatrick falls to the 71st spot, a 30-place decline from the previous year. Prisco noted that Fitzpatrick's performance was hindered by limited support from the second level of the defense and his own injuries. Despite these challenges, Fitzpatrick's true potential as a game-changing player remains evident. The Steelers plan to utilize Fitzpatrick in his natural free safety role moving forward to maximize his abilities.

One surprising omission from the top 100 list is defensive lineman Cam Heyward. Heyward's injury struggles likely played a significant role in his absence from the list, earning only an honorable mention on Prisco's compilation. Linebackers Alex Highsmith and Patrick Queen also received nods in the honorable mention category.

Prisco's overall top five players consist of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams, and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Among AFC North rivals, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson ranks highest at number 16, while Cincinnati Bengals' wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase boasts an impressive 13th-place ranking.

As the Steelers' T.J. Watt continues to make his mark as one of the league's premier players, his fifth-place ranking in CBS Sports' top 100 list serves as a testament to his exceptional talent, impact, and consistent performance on the field.