2023 IDP Redraft Rankings – Defensive Tackles

1. Aaron Donald – LAR (10)
Even at age 32, Donald is still arguably the best defender in the NFL. However, the Rams are in rebuild mode and are rolling out a no-name defense around Donald in 2023. He’ll likely face the most amount of double and triple teams he’s ever seen combined and that, combined with an increase in negative game scripts, could lead to a slightly down season by his typical production standards.

2. Christian Wilkins – MIA (10)
With a whopping 98 total tackles, Wilkins led all DLs in that category and by a fairly wide margin. He put up similar numbers in 2021 so managers should have confidence this performance was no fluke. His career high in sacks is only four, so he won’t help much in that category. But the prodigious tackle figures alone slot him into the DL10-20 range and provide us with a nice floor for those looking for consistency out of their DT1/DL2 spot.

3. Cameron Heyward – PIT (6)
Heyward has been an extremely consistent producer over his 13-year career and oddly has had his best statistical output recently in his age 32 and 33 seasons. Additionally, he qualifies as a DT in most leagues which makes him an elite selection at that position.

4. DeForest Buckner – IND (11)
Buckner has been extremely reliable from a production standpoint and has managed to stay healthy during his seven-year career. Over that span, he’s averaged a 41/24/7 slash line and never fallen below 35 solos in any one season. At this point, we have a very good understanding of his expected production and managers should feel comfortable that Buckner will live up to his DL2/DT1 expectations.

5. Chris Jones – KC (10)
After experimenting with moving him outside in recent years, the team finally put Jones back inside last season where he is more comfortable and that paid off as he put up a career high 15.5 sacks. His size and athletic ability make him one of the hardest interior players for defenses to handle and he should continue to be a double-digit sack threat. His below average tackle production relative to others in his tier keep his value suppressed into the DL2/DT1- range, however.

6. Quinnen Williams – NYJ (7) 
Up until last year, Williams was known as one of the better tackle-producing DTs in fantasy with back-to-back 50+ tackle production. His 6.5 sack per season average during this time, albeit not elite, was strong enough to make him a strong DL3+/DL2- value. Last year he was able to not only maintain his elite tackle production but also dramatically increased his sack total up to 12. Although I ultimately think he lands more in the 8-9 sack range in 2023, he still projects as a very solid DT1/DL2 with a relatively safe floor.

7. Jonathan Allen – WAS (14)
Washington has a wealth of riches among their defensive front and Allen is a key part of that. He’s finished around the DT1 tier virtually every season over the past five years and is a strong bet for 65 total tackles and 7 or so sacks.

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2023 IDP Draft Guide Features:

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• Customizable Projections for All Ranked IDPs
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