Best Defensive Tackles of All Time (Part 1)

6 months ago

The first line of defense against the run, we take a look at the best defensive tackles of all time. These players have set the benchmark for how the position should be played, dominating the physical battle and often changing the momentum of games.

best-defensive-tackles (1).jpg

10. Randy White

"The Manster" Randy White was part of the devastating “Doomsday Defense" which featured during the Cowboys dynasty of the late 1960s and 1970s which also featured Bob Lilly. Quarterback sacks weren’t an official NFL statistic until 1982, which makes it difficult to benchmark defensive tackles before then who could help pass rush. Nevertheless white is credited with 111 sacks and 1,104 tackles in his regular season career.

9. Bob Lilly

Lilly is one of the best Cowboys players of all time and missed only one game across his 14-season career which was entirely at Dallas. Although not an official stat by the NFL, researchers attribute 11-time Pro Bowler Lilly to 95.5 sacks, which is remarkable considering that he was often double and triple-teamed.

8. Cortez Kennedy

Cortez Kennedy is a Seattle Seahawks legend and he spent his entire 11-season career at the franchise. He reportedly rarely spent time in the weight room, which is impressive considering how he overpowered offensive linemen with his agility and speed. Cortez had a major impact on the Seahawks defense with 668 tackles, 58 sacks and three interceptions during his career. In 1992 he earned the Defensive Player of the Year award in which he recorded 92 tackles, 14 sacks and forced four fumbles

7. Merlin Olsen

Like Randy White, Bob Lilly and Cortez Kennedy, Merlin Olsen spent his entire career with one franchise. The LA Rams defensive tackle was a good hitter with a great leap and was a Pro Bowler in every season of his 15-year career with the exception of his final season. Across 208 games, Olsen is credited with 91 sacks and 915 tackles.

6. John Randle

Known for his intense and disruptive style of play, John Randle was a seven-time Pro Bowler and an absolute terror for offensive linemen. He was fortunate to play his career after quarterback sacks were officially a stat and he finished with 137.5 sacks. It's an incredible feat and the most sacks ever by a defensive tackle, who led the Vikings in sacks for eight years straight.

I'll be back tomorrow with part two!

ABOUT WOLFGANG SPORT

Founded in 2020, I turned my lifelong passion for sport into WolfgangSport.com. As an Australian, I've always been fascinated with the cultural differences and global significance of sports in America so I started writing about topics on the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS and more. Beyond these topics my vision with WolfgangSport.com is continuing to innovate by expanding exposure into developing technologies such as Web3 platforms as I explore elevating user experiences for readers.

americanfootball

0.000

0 comments