2012 IDP Draft Rankings – Defensive Tackles (Redraft)

ByRyan Sitzmann Posted on Updated on

As a follow-up to my IDP Deep Sleepers article published earlier this week, I wanted to give readers a more in depth rankings list for the defensive tackle position. Many owners play in leagues that require you to roster at least one DT. For the time being, I’ve broken out the top 12 players who qualify at this position for fantasy purposes. As the off-season progresses, I will likely add to this list (if desired).

Please note that these players are ranked off their redraft value and not their long-term, dynasty value.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy!

Scoring System:
Solo Tackle = 2 points
Assist = 1 point
Sack = 7 points
Interception = 7 points
Forced Fumble = 5 points
Fumble Recovery = 5 points

Key:
DSC = Possible Defensive Scheme Change
S = Sleeper/Undervalued Player
B = Bust/Overvalued Player
R = Injury Risk


DEFENSIVE TACKLES

Haloti Ngata 1. RDT Haloti Ngata (BAL) – Ngata had another solid year and should be the 1st DT taken in the majority of IDP fantasy leagues. He’s one of the most talented run-stuffing NTs in the league and will also kick out to defensive end in certain packages which certainly helps his overall fantasy production. Expect similar numbers from Ngata come 2012.

Ahytba Rubin 2. RDT Ahtyba Rubin (CLE) – Rubin has been a tackle machine over the last two seasons averaging 82 total tackles per year and he even managed to throw in 5 sacks last year. He gets taken way too late in fantasy drafts because he’s a DT and plays on the Browns. If you are looking for a solid DL2 with low risk, Rubin is your man.

Ndamukong Suh 3. LDT Ndamukong Suh (DET) – After a monster rookie campaign, Suh came crashing back down to Earth in 2011. Clearly the frustration of his poor play started to build up as he was suspended two games for stomping on offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith’s head during the Lions Thanksgiving Day game against the Packers. I personally thought Suh’s numbers in his rookie season were a bit fluky, but so were his 2011 numbers. From a production standpoint, expect Suh’s numbers to fall somewhere in the middle of his first two seasons (45-55 total tackles and 6-8 sacks).

Geno Atkins 4. RDT Geno Atkins (CIN) – Atkins led all Bengals linemen with 754 snaps played and topped the league in sacks by an interior lineman with 8. He’s already established himself as one of the league’s premier interior, pass-rushing linemen, but I can’t justify ranking him any higher until he improves against the run and increases his tackle production.

Kyle Williams 5. RDT Kyle Williams (BUF) – The Bills will be transitioning to a 4-3 defense this season which means Williams will be moving to DT and likely get a lot of 3-technique looks. He’s been successful in this role in the past, especially from a tackle perspective. He only played a handful of games last season due to injury and has completely fallen off most people’s radars. He’s a great late round selection as he has a relatively high floor with a decent amount of upside. DSC

Marcell Dareus 6. LDT Marcell Dareus (BUF) – The 3rd overall pick in last year’s draft had a solid rookie season and will likely only improve upon those numbers with the addition of Mario Williams and Mark Anderson at the bookends of the defensive line. He should be one of the first 5 or 6 DTs taken in DT-required leagues.

Tommy Kelly 7. RDT Tommy Kelly (OAK) – Kelly has been a top 5 fantasy DT two years running and has averaged a noteworthy 7 sacks a year over that span. He won’t single-handedly win you any weeks, but he’s a solid, high floor fantasy player who can be a contributor in deeper leagues. DSC

Jurell Casey 8. RDT Jurell Casey (TEN) – Casey ranked 4th amongst all defensive tackles in solo tackles with 40. He’s just 22 years old and will only improve as his technique and conditioning improves. The addition of Kamerion Wimbley and a healthy Derrick Morgan at the end positions should free Casey up for more sack opportunities as well.

Richard Seymour 9. LDT Richard Seymour (OAK) – After a hot start to the season with 21 tackles and 4.5 sacks in his first 5 games, Seymour’s production quickly fizzled out as he registered just 10 total tackles and 1 sack in his last 11 games. This decline in production and his advanced age are both reasons for concern, but he remains one of the better pass-rushing interior linemen in the league when focused and motivated. Also, he’s reportedly shown up to OTAs slimmed down and will see snaps at defensive end when the Raiders decide to use 3-4 looks. DSC

Sione Pouha 10. NT Sione Pouha (NYJ) – Pouha’s had back-to-back seasons of 55+ total tackles. He’s been in Rex Ryan’s defensive system longer than any other player and is a key cog in the Jets defense against the run. He provides little to nothing in the sack department, but is a decent bottom of the barrel choice for those in DT-required leagues that reward more heavily for tackles.

11. RDT Vince Wilfork (NE) – Wilfork is one of those players who can completely take over a game and is one of the few two-gap nose tackles that consistently produces worthwhile fantasy numbers. He’s averaged over 50 tackles a year since entering the league 9 seasons ago and there’s no reason to expect that will change. DSC

Desmond Bryant 12. LDT Desmond Bryant (OAK) – Bryant, an undrafted free agent out of Harvard, played quite well in rotational duties last season and was rewarded by the Raiders with a new contract this off-season. Bryant started 10 games in 2011 while filling on for a struggling Richard Seymour. Although he won’t likely enter the year as the starter, he rotates enough to produce solid DT2 numbers and with Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly on the worse half of 30, his playing time will only go up. DSC

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Last Updated: August 26, 2012