Watt was an incredible omission as well. Maybe I'm biased but if I had my choice there's not 10 defensive players I'd take over Watt all-time.
As versatile as they come. Watt could play anywhere on the los & win.
A top tier run defender that could do it all. 2 gap, chase/pursuit, shoot, redirect, he was a bull in the run game.
As a rusher, name me all of the players w multiple 20 sack seasons on their resume? Watt had almost 70 sacks (69) during his peak (4 yrs). Injuries happened, came back to add another 16! Almost 100 sacks in 5 years!
I know, "longevity" but he's played in more games than Sayers. And this is football. There is no rhyme or reason to injuries, who gets them, when etc. It's a brutal sport, esp in the trenches. I'm sorry but nothing screams more casual bringing up "longevity" when talking abt football from your couch. Players like Watt (to a lesser extent Gronk) have spent a ton of time playing in the trenches. Again nothing describes that better then brutal. Having 300+lb freaks punch, slap, pull/push, throw you around for 40-60 plays a game. Wilfork should never be forgotten here for everything I just mentioned. He spent the majority of his time fighting 2 men every Sunday. That guy earned every penny & was nothing but professional during his playing days.
Back to Watt, I alluded to it above but he was as versatile as one could ever hope for. Never took plays off, all out effort every play/game. He was the first & most important in terms of a QB/OC playing/drawing up a game plan.
Pretty obvious the list is bias but the more positions coming out the worse it looks imo.