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Jets' Sheldon Richardson compares himself to J.J. Watt

Ed Mulholland / USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson has been one of the lone bright spots on a 3-11 team.

Richardson has recorded 6.5 sacks after winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors last year. 

Standing behind his standout campaign, Richardson compared himself to Houston's J.J. Watt. 

"J.J. Watt, he's got a few more sacks than me, but it's the same type of disruption," Richardson said to ESPN's Rich Cimini. "He's a little more active, I'll give you that, but we have the same type of determination, same heart, same skills. He scores touchdowns, I score touchdowns."

Watt is on track to become a unanimous choice for his second Defensive Player of the Year Award in three years. 

"The same people you see mentioned every day, getting big contracts, I'm on the same level," Richardson said. "I don't put them over me, I don't put them under me. Most definitely, it's the same comparison, really."

Richardson doesn't have the same notoriety that Watt has, but if he continues his play, he may end up a household name as well.

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