Tackling Machine Oluokun Looks To Lead the NFL in Tackles Again
Former NFL Tackles Champs Oluokun and Wagner Headline The 2024 NFL Tackles Leader Odds
Can Bobby Wagner Lead the NFL In Tackles For a Record-Tying Fourth Time?
Quarterbacks are the ones who tend to be the largest contracts with receivers and running backs also getting to share the spotlight as well. That is not always the case when it comes to the top defensive players.
Foyesade Oluokun and NFL players who have led the NFL in tackles more than once. How many football fans could pick either of them out if they were standing a few feet away?
The 2024 NFL tackles leader odds once again begin with Oluokun, with Wagner not far behind.
Oluokun is priced at +600 to lead the NFL in total tackles for the third time in the last four seasons. He was a sixth-round pick out of Yale who began his NFL career with the New York Jets were taken in the first round.
It won’t take long to see some of the tackling machines in action. The first game in the regular season in the Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of the 2023 AFC Championship Game.
Here’s a look at the top potential NFL tackles leaders heading into the 2024 season.
The Class of 2018 Is Representing
The 2018 NFL Draft has proven to be a good place to find players who know how to shed blocks and pile up the tackles.
Smith, who began his career with the Chicago Bears, has 851 tackles in six seasons. Oluokun is at 819 tackles and counting.
Fred Warner, who has +2500 odds to lead the NFL in tackles, has 766 tackles with the San Francisco 49ers.
Only Tampa Bay linebacker Lavonte David and Minnesota safety Harrison Smith have more tackles while playing for the team that drafted them among active players.
Tremaine Edmunds, Shaquille Leonard, Jessie Bates, and Jerome Baker are others who were taken in the draft and continue to put up impressive tackle stats. They are further back in the 2024 NFL tackles leader odds.
What About the Veterans?
Wagner leads all active players with 1706 tackles, followed by Lavonte David at 1480. The two players, who have both won Super Bowls, are at +900 and +5000 in the 2024 NFL tackles leader odds.
If Wagner leads the NFL in total tackles, he would Clay Matthews and Jessie Tuggle as the only players dating back to 1978 to lead the NFL in tackles four times. Another 150 tackles this season would move Wagner into the top three on the NFL list for career tackles. It should be noted that before 1978, tackles were considered to be an unofficial stat.
- Demarrio Davis (+10000), Mosley (+1100), Harrison Smith, and Eric Kendricks are the only other active players with at least 1000 career tackles.
Alex Singleton had 328 tackles in the regular season and 37 more in the playoffs in his three seasons with Calgary in the Canadian Football League before getting his chance in the NFL.
Singleton is coming off a season with a career-high of 177 tackles with the Denver Broncos, and he offers good value at +900 to lead the NFL in tackles.
A Look At Other Top Contenders
T.J. Edwards has 130, 159, and 155 tackles over the last three seasons as the Chicago Bears linebacker is at +1100 in the 2024 NFL tackles leader odds.
Azeez Al-Shaair had a career-best 84 solo tackles and 163 total tackles in his lone season with the Tennessee Titans and was signed by the Houston Texans in the offseason. He is one of the many defensive playmakers on the Texans in his 20s, and he could have a huge season. He has +1500 odds to top the NFL in tackles.
Nick Bolton of the New York Giants are also at +1500.
Quincy Williams of the New York Jets was once known merely for being the brother of current teammate Quinnen Williams but now is at +2000 to top the NFL in tackles. Patrick Queen, who moves from Baltimore to Pittsburgh, s Warner, and Robert Spillane of the Las Vegas Raiders are all at +2500, with youngsters Terrel Bernard of the Minnesota Vikings at +4000.
Laiatu Latu of the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Turner of the Minnesota Vikings have the shortest NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds. Their -rushing potential is what has been so high on that list as Turner was eighth on the 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide in total tackles while four players on the 2023 UCLA defense had more tackles than Latu.
Hardly Anybody Approaching Hardy’s Record
Hardy Nickerson set the NFL record 214 tackles with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With the season now at 17 games, it would figure that somebody would threaten that mark.
A quick peek at the Detroit Lions took a run at it the following year before finishing with 195 tackles.
Oluokun had 192 tackles for the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 and during the same season, Seattle’s Jordyn Brooks finished with 184 tackles. That is the same number that Oluokun had with Jacksonville in 2022, while Wagner led the NFL with 183 stops last season.
Time to Sack the Quarterback
There are those who love to bet on the quarterback sack props.
T.J. Watt of the Dallas Cowboys at +500. Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders (+600) isn’t far behind.
Josh Allen of the Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson at +1000.
