Fantasy Index

Factoid

Tackles are for losers

Most top tacklers come from sub-.500 teams

Those in IDP leagues are always looking to secure the most productive tacklers. Logically, it makes sense that teams that lose a lot have the players that make the most tackles, since their defense spends the most time on the field. And that appears to be true.

I pulled out the top-5 tacklers in the league from each of the last 10 seasons. Only 15 of those 50 players played for teams that had winning records. The other 35, or 70 percent, came from teams that finished .500 or worse (and in most cases, much worse).

The top 5 players in tackles from each of the last 10 seasons, and their team's record that year, are shown below. Winning records are in bold.

TOP 5 TACKLERS, 2006-2015
YearPlayer Pos Comb Total Ast Team
2015NaVorro Bowman, S.F. ILB 154116385-11
2015D'Qwell Jackson, Ind. ILB 15089618-8
2015Lavonte David, T.B.OLB 14785626-10
2015Reshad Jones, Mia.SS 135106296-10
2015Paul Posluszny, Jac.MLB 133103305-11
2014Luke Kuechly, Car. MLB 15399547-8-1
2014DeAndre Levy, Det.OLB 1511173411-5
2014Lavonte David, T.B.OLB 146101452-14
2014Curtis Lofton, N.O.ILB 14499457-9
2014Paul Worrilow, Atl.ILB 14284586-10
2013Vontaze Burfict, Cin.OLB 1711145711-5
2013Paul Posluszny, Jac.MLB 162122404-12
2013Kiko Alonso, Buff.MLB 15987726-10
2013Luke Kuechly, Car. MLB 156936312-4
2013NaVorro Bowman, S.F. ILB 1451202512-4
2012Luke Kuechly, Car. MLB 164103617-9
2012NaVorro Bowman, S.F. ILB 148965211-4-1
2012Chad Greenway, Minn.OLB 148985010-6
2012Jerod Mayo, N.E. OLB 147885912-4
2012Jerrell Freeman, Ind. ILB 145905511-5
2011London Fletcher, Wash.ILB 16696705-11
2011D'Qwell Jackson, Clev.MLB 158116424-12
2011Chad Greenway, Minn. OLB 15489653-13
2011Pat Angerer, Ind.MLB 14878702-14
2011Curtis Lofton, Atl.MLB 147876010-6
2010Jerod Mayo, N.E. ILB 1751146114-2
2010Stephen Tulloch, Tenn.MLB 160111496-10
2010Paul Posluszny, Buff.ILB 151103484-12
2010Chad Greenway, Minn.OLB 144109356-10
2010Donte Whitner, Buff.SS 14096444-12
2009Patrick Willis, S.F.ILB 152114388-8
2009London Fletcher, Wash.MLB 14295474-12
2009Barrett Ruud, T.B.MLB 142107353-13
2009Jon Beason, Car.MLB 141111308-8
2009Ray Lewis, Balt.ILB 13495399-7
2008D'Qwell Jackson, Clev.ILB 15495594-12
2008Patrick Willis, S.F.OLB 141109327-9
2008Jon Beason, Car.MLB 1381102812-4
2008Barrett Ruud, T.B. MLB 137102359-7
2008Kirk Morrison, Oak. MLB 13599365-11
2007Patrick Willis, S.F.ILB 174135395-11
2007D.J. Williams, Den. MLB 141106357-9
2007Jon Beason, Car.MLB 140106347-9
2007Ernie Sims, Det.OLB 13497377-9
2007Nick Barnett, G.B.MLB 1311022913-3
2006Zach Thomas, Mia.MLB 165103626-10
2006DeMeco Ryans, Hou.MLB 155125306-10
2006London Fletcher, Buff.MLB 146104427-9
2006Keith Bulluck, Tenn.OLB 14399448-8
2006Cato June, Ind.OLB 142964612-4

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index