Houston (CBS HOUSTON) – J.J. Watt is starting to get comparisons to some of the greatest defensive pass rushers to ever play the game. When you’ve won three defensive player of the year awards people start wondering if you might be the best ever.

Hall of Fame offensive lineman Willie Roaf joined In The Loop on Wednesday and talked about how he would compare the Houston Texans defensive end.

“J.J. Watt is a more athletic Reggie White,” Roaf told Dante Hall, John Lopez and Cody Stoots on SportsRadio 610 on Wednesday. “J.J. is a better athlete than Reggie and he’s exceptional at everything.”

Watt and White have some comparisons on the field. They are the only two players to ever record at least 15 sacks in three of their first five NFL season. Watt also grew up watching White with the Packers, Watt’s childhood favorite team.

Roaf did think that Watt needs to be careful as his career progresses down the line.

“With the injuries he’s having, I know he’s a real real hard guy that likes to train a lot, I think he’s going to have to back off some of that…and save his body,” Roaf said.

Watt had five muscle tears in his groin during the season last year and played with a herniated disc. He had surgery on his groin to start this offseason and just a few weeks ago had surgery to help with his back. The back surgery could see him miss time during the regular season.

“You have to adjust your workout,” Roaf, who had knee and back problems later in his career, said. “When you start getting those injuries like that, some of the power stuff he’s doing, he’ll probably have to cut some of that out.”

Watt is entering his sixth season of his career and has yet to miss a regular season game.