Top 10 Best NFL Defensive Tackles In The World Right Now

May 24, 2021 By Sourav

Defensive Tackles are the most vital player in any team’s defense line. They are also the strongest and the biggest players on the team. They typically stand directly in line with the offensive guards’ of the opponents. There is another position called the nose tackle that also does the same kind of things for the team. But, this position is used primarily in the NFL and nowhere else.

There are several great players that play in this particular position. And even now, there are several great players currently also playing in this defensive tackle position. So, here goes our exclusive list of the best NFL defensive tackles in the world right now.

Best NFL Defensive Tackles | Infographics

Best NFL Defensive Tackles In The World Right Now | 2021 Updates

Starting from the best NFL Quarterbacks to the best NFL Wide Receivers, we have already published several lists of each position in the National Football League. But, this series will be really incomplete without the mention of some of the best players playing as the defensive tackles in the league. So, here goes our exclusive list of the best NFL defensive tackles in 2021.

10. Star Lotulelei

Without any doubt, Star Lotulelei is surely one of the best NFL defensive tackles of this year. He currently plays for the National Football League franchise Buffalo Bills. He previously played for the University of Utah during his college football days. Besides, he previously also played for the Bingham High School in Utah during his childhood career.

Carolina Panthers first picked him during the 2013 NFL draft as the first-round 14^th pick. Star Lotulelei played for the Panthers from 2013 to 2017 before taking his transfer to the Bills in 2018. He has earned his place in the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2013.

Besides, he has also earned his place in the First-team All-American in 2012. During his college football career, he became a part of the First-team All-Pac-12 twice. Moreover, he has also achieved the Morris Trophy in 2011.

9. Aaron Donald

American football player Aaron Donald currently plays for the National Football League franchise Los Angeles Rams. He previously played for the University of Pittsburgh during his college football days. Besides, he also played for the Penn Hills High School during his early childhood career.

NFL side Los Angeles Rams first picked him during the 2014 NFL Draft as the first round 13^th pick. And since then, he became an integral part of the team. Aaron Donald became a part of the Pro Bowl six times till now. Besides, he has also achieved his place in the First-team All-Pro four times till now.

Moreover, he became the NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice until now. And recently in 2018, he became the NFL sacks leader. Previously in 2014, he has earned his place as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Moreover, he won both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award in 2013.

8. Akeem Spence

One of the most handsome NFL players right now, Akeem Spence, currently plays for the National Football League franchise Jacksonville Jaguars. He previously played for the University of Illinois during his college football career. Besides, he also played for the Fort Walton Beach High School during his early childhood career.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers first drafted him during the 2013 NFL Draft as the fourth round 100^th pick. Akeem Spence played for several teams in the NFL such as Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, and Philadelphia Eagles.

And recently in 2019, he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his active football career till now, he has more than 193 tackles. Besides, he has also achieved 10.5 sacks. Moreover, he has also achieved a forced fumble and around three fumble recoveries.

7. Johnathan Hankins

One of the best NFL defensive tackles, Johnathan Hankins, currently plays for the National Football League franchise Oakland Raiders. He played for the Ohio State University during his college football career. Besides, he has also played for the Detroit (MI) Southeastern High School during his early childhood career.

New York Giants first drafted him during the 2013 NFL draft as the second-round 49^th pick. Johnathan Hankins played for the New York Giants from 2013 to 2016. He then played for the Indianapolis Colts in 2017. And in 2018, he finally joined the Oakland Raiders.

He has achieved his place in the First-team All-American in 2012. And in that same year, he has achieved his place in the First-team All-Big Ten. In his career till now, he has more than 268 total tackles and 13 sacks.

6. Brandon Mebane

American football player Brandon Mebane is one of the best NFL defensive tackles in the world right now. He currently plays for the National Football League franchise Los Angeles Chargers. He previously played for the University of California during his collegiate football career.

Besides, he has also played for the Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles during his early childhood career. Brandon Mebane was first drafted by the Seattle Seahawks during the 2007 NFL draft as the third-round 85^th pick. After playing there for eight seasons, he took his transfer to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2016.

He has achieved his place in the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2007. And during the 2013 NFL season, he became the Super Bowl Champion. He has more than 440 tackles and 17.5 sacks in his active career now.

5. Linval Joseph

One of the best NFL defensive tackles in 2021, Linval Joseph, currently plays for the National Football League franchise Minnesota Vikings. He previously played for the East Carolina University during his college football career. Besides, he also played for the Santa Fe High School in Florida during his early childhood career.

New York Giants first drafted him during the 2010 NFL Draft as the second-round 46^th pick. Linval Joseph joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2014 after playing for the New York Giants in three seasons. He became the Super Bowl champion in 2011. Besides, he has achieved his place in the Pro Bowl twice until now.

Moreover, he has also achieved his place in the first-team All-C-USA. And in 2008, he has achieved his place as the Honorable Mention All-C-USA. He currently has more than 525 tackles and 24 sacks under his name.

4. Marcell Dareus

Needless to say, Marcell Dareus is one of the best NFL defensive tackles in the world. He currently plays for the National Football League franchise Jacksonville Jaguars. He previously played for the University of Alabama during his college football career. Besides, he also played for the Huffman high school during his early childhood career.

Buffalo Bills first picked him during the 2011 NFL draft as the first-round third pick. Marcell Dareus has achieved his place in the Pro Bowl twice till now. Besides, he has achieved his place in the First-team All-Pro in 2014. And during his college football career, he has become a part of the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2011.

Moreover, he has achieved his place in the First-team All-SEC in 2010. And in that same year, he became both the BCS National Championship and BCS National Championship MVP.

3. DeForest Buckner

One of the best NFL defensive tackles right now, DeForest Buckner, currently plays for the National Football League franchise San Francisco 49ers. He previously played for the University of Oregon during his college football days. Besides, he has also played for the Punahou School during his childhood career.

San Francisco 49ers first picked him during the 2016 NFL draft as the first-round seventh pick. DeForest Buckner has earned his place in the Pro Bowl recently in 2018. Besides, he has achieved his place in the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2016.

Moreover, he has achieved his place in both the First-team All-American and First-team All-Pac-12 in 2015. And in that same year, he also achieved the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award. He also achieved his place in both the Second-team All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 champion in 2014.

2. Fletcher Cox

Known for having one of the hottest NFL WAGs, Fletcher Cox, is one of the best NFL defensive tackles in the world. He currently plays for the National Football League franchise Philadelphia Eagles. He previously played for the Mississippi State University during his college football career.

Moreover, he has also played for the Yazoo City High School in Mississippi during his childhood days. Fletcher Cox recently became the Super Bowl champion in 2017. Besides, he has achieved his place in the Pro Bowl five times till now. Moreover, he has also achieved his place in the First-team All-Pro in 2018.

He has earned his place in the Second-team All-Pro three times till now. And in 2011, he has achieved his place in both the First-team All-American and First-team All-SEC. He also became a part of the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2012.

1. Geno Atkins

Without any doubt, Geno Atkins is currently one of the best NFL defensive tackles in 2021. He currently plays for the National Football League franchise Cincinnati Bengals. He previously played or the University of Georgia during his college football days. Besides, he also played for the St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florida during his school days.

Cincinnati Bengals first picked him during the 2010 NFL draft as the fourth round 120^th pick. Geno Atkins has earned his place in the Pro Bowl eight times till now. Besides, he has achieved his place in the First-team All-Pro twice. Moreover, he has also earned his place in the Second-team All-Pro in 2011.

During his college football days, he became a part of the First-team All-SEC in 2007. In his career till now, he has more than 377 total tackles and 75.5 sacks under his name.

Final Words

So, here goes our exclusive list of the best NFL defensive tackles in the world right now. We hope that you liked this list. And, don’t forget to send us your opinion about this list in the comment box below.