Defensive Tackles: Here, There, Everywhere

Through football’s history, interior defensive linemen have done the often anonymous dirty work. Defensive tackles. They took up blocks, they kept linebackers clean, they stopped the run. They were as unknown as the mud-covered number on their uniform. There have been defensive tackles that became stars over the years. Ernie Stautner, Art Donovan, Bob Lilly, Merlin Olsen, Joe Greene, and the great Alan Page quickly come to mind. The league never seemed to have more than a few “elite” defensive tackles at any one time. This is a very different time as there are several playing at a high level scattered around the league. A few teams even have more than one. In their pre-season rundown of the top players at each position, ESPN recently posted their Top 10 Defensive Tackles. It’s quite a list and more than ten are deserving of being mentioned among the best.

The list is determined by rankings submitted by more than 80 league executives, coaches, and players.

1.   Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams

2.   Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs

3.   Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans

4.   Quinnen Williams, New York Jets

5.   Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers

6.   Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants

7.   DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts

8.   Daron Payne, Washington Commanders

9.   Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers

10. Jonathan Allen, Washington Commanders

Aaron Donald has ruled the position for a while. At 32, he’s still ruling the position. Mostly due to an ankle injury that cost him six games, the gap between Donald and the field has narrowed. He didn’t get all of the first place votes. And he was ranked as low as third by a voter or more. 

The quickest way to harass a quarterback is up the middle. That realization and the league apparently being flooded with players that can do it has turned a bright light on the defensive tackles. That’s probably best seen in the contracts being given out to the “elite” players. Donald was once the only one that averaged over $20 million per year. Now, it’s a “who’s next?” This season, Jeffery Simmons, Javon Hargrave, Dexter Lawrence, and Daron Payne signed contracts that averaged more than $20 million per year. Chris Jones and Quinnen Williams should join them any day. 

At 34, Cam Heyward’s play continues to astound.

Speaking of age, Jeffery Simmons, Quinnen Willians, Dexter Lawrence, and Daron Payne are under 26.

The league’s abundance of terrific defensive tackles doesn’t end with those ten. The Honorable Mentions continue to impress.

Christian Wilkins, Miami Dolphins

Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kenny Clark, Green Bay Packers

Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers

Leonard Williams, New York Giants

There’s still more. These players received votes. 

Grady Jarrett, Atlanta Falcons

Arik Armstead, San Francisco 49ers

DJ Reader, Cincinnati Bengals

Dre’Mont Jones, Seattle Seahawks

Dalvin Tomlinson, Cleveland Browns

Ed Oliver, Buffalo Bills

Grover Stewart, Indianapolis Colts

That’s 22 defensive tackles that are playing at a high level in the league. Christian Barmore is on the cusp of joining the group. Recent draft picks Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt, Jalen Carter, Calijah Kancey, and Mazi Smith could as well. I’m hoping that a couple defensive tackles that the Minnesota Vikings selected in the 2022 and 2023 drafts will surprise. Esezi Otomewo and Jaquelin Roy. 

Defensive tackles. They’re here, there, everywhere.