Top 10 Dynasty Defensive Tackles in the 2021 Offseason

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Defensive tackles are often forgotten in beginner level IDP leagues, but a top defensive tackle can be just as valuable as a defensive end, and in defensive tackle required (or interior linemen) leagues they are worth their weight in gold. Now then, onto my top 10 dynasty defensive tackle rankings.

**Please note: Rankings per year referenced are based on the scoring discussed here. Statistics are from Pro Football Reference.

Top 10 Dynasty Defensive Tackles #1: Aaron Donald – Los Angeles Rams

Much like the 1964 Supreme Court comments on obscenity, the name speaks for himself. Aaron has a case as the top dynasty defensive linemen, much less defensive tackle. He has been a Pro Bowler every year since his 2014 rookie year. He was the top scoring defensive linemen in 2018, third highest (and top defensive tackle) in 2019, and once again the top defensive linemen in 2020.

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Turing only 30 in May, Aaron has only missed two games in his career (both in 2017), and averages 35.3 solos, 15.6 assists, 18.7 TFL, 12.2 sacks, 2.7 forced fumbles, .85 fumble recoveries and 1.7 PD a year over his career. The man is a force of nature on the field and a future Hall of Famer. There was no question as to who #1 on this list would be, and he will likely keep this spot for the next few years.

Top 10 Dynasty Defensive Tackles #2: DeForest Buckner – Indianapolis Colts

With the 49ers at the time, DeForest was the #3 DT in 2018 and in 2019. Changing teams to the Colts in 2020 didn’t hurt him though, as he ended the season as the #2 DT last year. Turning 27 this year, the mountain sized Buckner (6’7”, 300lbs) still has time to get even better, as he’s only going going on his 6th year in the league.

The fact that Buckner only played in 15 games last year and had near career lows in solos and assists, without a career year in sacks or TFLs, but still managed to be the #2 DT is extremely impressive impressive. If Aaron Donald was not as dominate as he is, Buckner would be the clear choice for #1 on this list.

Top 10 Dynasty Defensive Tackles #3: Quinnen Williams – New York Jets

Only 23 this season and going into his third year, Quinnen oozes upside and a long-term top tier production. He only played 13 games in 2020, but the former #3 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft still ended as the #3 DT and only 33 points behind Aaron Donald.

Keep in mind that Quinnen has been able to be this productive, at this young of an age, with a generally poor defense around him. New Jets head coach Robert Saleh has already brought some much needed respectability to the Jets. Quinnen publicly applauded the hire, with Saleh called Quinnen a “game wrecker” and has not stopped raving about Quinnen’s upside. If you are looking at pure long-term potential at DT, Quinnen is my personal favorite.

Top 10 Dynasty Defensive Tackles #4: Chris Jones – Kansas City Chiefs

2020 was a down year for Jones, but he still ended as DT #14. He was #12 in 2019, but was #2 in 2018 after a 35 solo, 5 assist, 19 TFL, 15.5 sack, 1 INT, 1 TD, 5 PD and 2 forced fumble season. On top of this, he will only be 27 in the 2021 seasons. He was also a Pro Bowler after the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Something worth considering, however is that Jones’ short shift down in end of season standings coincided with the Chiefs switch from a 3-4 to 4-3 defense. It remains to be seen if this #10 to #15 end of season range will continue but I think it is more likely to be his consistent landing area over the crazy high 2018. Still, I have him this high due to his consistency. I’d rather someone I know is a top 10 or top 15, that I can set and forget than someone who bounces all over the top 30.

Top 10 Dynasty Defensive Tackles #5: Grady Jarrett – Atlanta Falcons

Jarrett was the #17 DT in 2018, #5 in 2019 and #10 in 2020. A full time starter since 2016, he has averaged 29 solos, 26 assists, 9 TFL, 5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble a season. Jarrett will be 28 this season, and has made the Pro Bowl the past two seasons.

He is not the force up the middle that these other guys are, but he has been consistent and a quality defensive tackle. A nice, high floor, even if it doesn’t come with a super high ceiling, is a great commodity to have at an IDP position with relatively scare consistent producers.

Jarrett Top 10 Dynasty Defensive Tackles
Top 10 Dynasty Defensive Tackles in 2021

Top 10 Dynasty Defensive Tackles #6: Jonathan Allen – Washington Football Team

As with many players, 2020 was a down year for Jonathan Allen. After being the #11 DT in 2018 and the #7 DT in 2019, he fell to #17 in 2020 with a 36 solos, 27 assist, 3 TFL, 2 sack, 1 fumble recovery and 1 safety line. The Washington defensive line is stacked, and Allen is a free agent after 2021. It will be interesting to see if he resigns or goes elsewhere, but either way, Allen as proven himself to be a force.

He was productive before they had all of Payne, Sweat and Young, and he is coming into the prime of this career. He is able to play multiple defensive line positions as well, so even if he changes teams and/or schemes back to a 3-4 (which he played in before with Washington) I expect him to continue to be productive.

Top 10 Dynasty Defensive Tackles #7: Cameron Heyward – Pittsburgh Steelers

Make no mistake, the next few years Cam belongs much higher up on this list. If not for his age (turning 32 on May 6, 2021) he is potentially a top 5 guy. He was the #11 DT in 2018, #2 in 2019 and #8 in 2020. From 2014 on he has only missed more than a game once (missing 9 in 2016), and discounting 2017 he has had at least 45 solos, 29 assists, 4 sacks and 7 TFL each year.

One thing to consider, as we deal with a lot in IDP, is that Heyward is not a defensive tackle on every site. Some sites have him as a defensive end, in which case he would of course not be on this list, and would be much farther down a defensive end rankings list.

Top 10 Dynasty Defensive Tackles #8: Kenny Clark – Green Bay Packers

A rookie in 2016, Clark played in all 16 games but only started two. From 2017 – 2019 however, he averaged approximately 15 games a season, with 33 solos, 24 assists, 5.5 sacks, 8 TFL, 2 PD and 1 forced fumble a game. In 2018 he was the #12 DT, and in 2019 he was the #10 DT.

He only played in 13 games in 2020, and had a down year across the board (his worse since his rookie year), but as he is signed for another three years, Clark appears to be in the Packers long term plans. Turning only 26 in October 2021 and how odd 2020 was in general but also for fantasy, I expect Clark to bounce back in 2021 similar to his numbers before 2020.

Top 10 Dynasty Defensive Tackles #9: Jeffery Simmons – Tennessee Titans

Jeremy Simmons only played in 9 games (starting 7) his rookie year (2019) after tearing his ACL in February 2019 while preparing for the NFL Draft. Leading up top the draft he was widely viewed as a clear top 10, and possibly top 5 player. Unfortunately off the field issues and the ACL tear caused him to fall, but only to pick 19 to Tennessee.

2020 saw him start all 15 games he played in, ending with 24 solos, 25 assists, 3 TFL, 3 sacks, 5 PD, 1 forced fumble and 3 fumble recoveries. This is by no means earth shattering, but ending at DT #12 in his first full year in the league is a very nice start. I am betting on his potential, and improvement on what he showed his first full year. Turning 24 this year, if he continues to improve we are looking at a very nice long-term DT for fantasy football.

Top 10 Dynasty Defensive Tackles #10: Daron Payne

Payne made a big jump from 2019 to 2020, which could be attributed in part the change in defensive fronts and the addition of Chase Young to the team. Payne has improved significantly. He was the #32 in 2019 and #5 in 2020. He ended 2020 with 27 solos, 27 assists, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, 4 PD, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception.

Turning 24 this year, Payne is slightly younger than Allen who we discussed above, but Allen has a longer track record of high fantasy production compared to Payne. With the scheme change I do feel that Payne has the talent, and talent around him, to succeed going forward. I don’t see him as a top 5 guy year in and year out, but I think being consistently around the top 10 for DT is well within the realm of expectations here.

Thank you for reading Top 10 Dynasty Defensive Tackles in the 2021 Offseason

We will have the relatively new EDGE position as the final installment of our Top 10 per position in the 2021 offseason coming up soon. You can catch all our video content on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe and click the notification bell to ensure that you don’t miss any of our other great content! We have free rankings of all kinds over at RotoHeat.com, and make sure to check out our 2021 Rookie Draft Guide! If you really want something to do after that, you can find me on Twitter.

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