Brick Wall Defenders; The Top 10 NFL Defensive Tackles

(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

1. Albert Haynesworth, Washington

When he is motivated, Albert Haynesworth is the most destructive force in the National Football League. That, however, is a big caveat because Haynesworth was best remembered as being the “face stomper” prior to his recent two year tear.

Over the past two seasons in which Haynesworth was motivated by a big pay day and financial security for, quite possibly, the rest of his career because he is often injured, he put up monstrous statistics; 91 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 13.5 stuffs, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 7 passes defensed.

The question is now whether or not he can continue to play at this high level now that he has received his lucrative contract.

2. Kevin Williams, Minnesota

Kevin Williams is a guy that is pretty darn good, but he gets faulted for playing next to Pat Williams. I understand that prior to Pat arriving Kevin was a pretty damn good Under Tackle himself, but it wasn’t until Pat Williams’ arrival that Kevin Williams became a complete Under Tackle capable of playing the run as well.

With that said, Kevin Williams’ skillset now is only rivaled by that of Albert Haynesworth, as he can make an impact at all levels, and is, easily, the most athletic Defensive Tackle in the NFL. It’s rare that he’s asked to not crash the line, but when he isn’t he must be accounted for, or you might find a batted pass landing in his hands for an interception.

3. Pat Williams, Minnesota

While numerous Nose Tackles, both 3-4 and 4-3 come into the league and play at a high level for a few seasons, Williams has been doing it for a long time. Williams, unlike most Nose Tackles, however, manages to, not only blow up running plays, but to get to the ball carrier as well.

This decade Williams has lead all Defensive Lineman in Stuffs a ridiculous five times! He’s finished with 7 or more Stuffs against the run in a season an outstanding eight times!

However, the largest accolade to his career might be that, since joining the Vikings, he has turned the run Defense into one of the best in the history of the NFL, and that is no exaggeration… they have the numbers and records to back that up.

4. Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh

First, First, Thirteenth, First*, Third, Third, Third and Second… These numbers represent the respective rankings from 2001 to the present for the Pittsburgh Steelers Rush Defense. It’s no secret that, since 2001, the anchor behind such a Defense has been Casey Hampton.

While Hampton may no longer be the premier prototype at the position, he still remains a prominent Nose Tackle in today’s NFL and does his job very well. His ability to clog the A-Gaps allows for James Farrior to make so many plays near the Line of Scrimmage. His ability to occupy Pulling Guards also allows for the Steelers Outside Linebackers to make plays against the run all over the place.

While Hampton doesn’t provide the versatility of a Kris Jenkins, there is no denying that he is one of the league’sbest Run Defenders.

5. Vince Wilfork, New England

Excluding last season, the Patriots have finished top 10 against the run every season since Vince Wilfork has arrived in town. Additionally,Vince Wilfork is capable of doing more than simply corralling blockers and freeing up holes for the other Linemen and LineBackers in New England.

He is capable of making plays himself, which is something most other Nose Tackles don’t do. Wilfork manages to make it to the QuarterBack about twice a season from the 3-4 Nose Tackle position which is ridiculously hard to do.

However, the most important aspect of Wilfork’s play is that he’s been the only good, consistent and healthy factor in New England’s Defense for the past 2 and a half seasons. When you consider that he, makes Ty Warren look like an elite 3-4 Defensive End, then his impact is a no brainer.

6. Kris Jenkins, New York Jets

We all know the story by now… Kris Jenkins is traded to the Jets in order to become their Nose Tackle and succeeds. Heck, that’s evidenced by the fact that the Jets Defense went from allowing 135 Yards Per Game on 4.2 Yards Per Carry (bad enough to rank 29th) to allowing 94 Yards Per Game on 3.7 Yards Per Carry(good enough to rank 7th). That’s about as drastic a change as you can make at the Nose Tackle position.

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