NFL 2023 - The NFL's Best Tacklers

Successful tacklers in the NFL must combine excellent technique, the ability to read plays, and the physicality to bring down ball carriers effectively. They are often the heart of their respective defenses, responsible for stopping the run, defending against short passes, and providing leadership on the field.

Last season, 12 players totaled at least 15 tackles for loss, the most such players to reach the mark in a single season since 2018 (12).

Las Vegas' MAXX CROSBY led the league with a career--high 22 tackles for loss in 2022, becoming the second Raiders player since 2008 with at least 20 tackles for loss in a season (Khalil Mack – 23 in 2015).

Since entering the NFL in 2019, Crosby ranks second in the league with 65 tackles for loss and is the only player with at least 13 tackles for loss in each of the past four seasons. Crosby can join Aaron Donald and J.J. Watt as the only players since 2008 to record at least 13 tackles for loss in each of their first five seasons.

San Francisco's NICK BOSA tied for second in the league with 19 tackles for loss in 2022 and he leads all players with 40 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. With at least 15 tackles for loss in 2023, Bosa would become the fourth player since 2008 to reach the mark in four--or--more of his first five seasons, joining Aaron Donald (five seasons), Lavonte David (four) and J.J. Watt (four).

Bosa can also become the second player since 2008 to record at least 19 tackles for loss in three--or--more consecutive seasons, joining J.J. Watt (2012--15).

Carolina's FRANKIE LUVU set career highs in tackles (111), tackles for loss (19), sacks (seven) and passes defensed (four) last season, becoming the first player since 2013 with at least 100 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and seven sacks in a season.

His 19 tackles for loss were tied for secondmost in the league and the most by a Panther since 2018. He recorded multiple tackles for loss in six games, tied for the most in the NFL. Luvu and BRIAN BURNS (17 tackles for loss) became the first pair of teammates each with at least 17 tackles for loss in a season since 2015 (Miami's Ndamukong Suh and Olivier Vernon).

Burns also set a career high with 12.5 sacks in 2022 and is one of five players with at least 7.5 sacks in each of the past four seasons.

Washington's DARON PAYNE (18 tackles for loss), JONATHAN ALLEN (16) and MONTEZ SWEAT (14) each set career highs in tackles for loss last season. Washington became only the third team with three players each with at least 14 tackles for loss in a season since 2008, joining the 2021 Pittsburgh Steelers and 2013 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Cleveland's MYLES GARRETT has totaled at least 10 tackles for loss in each of the past five seasons, including at least 17 in each of the past two. In 2023, he will be joined by new teammate ZA'DARIUS SMITH, who recorded 15 tackles for loss last season with Minnesota, his second--career season with at least 15 tackles for loss (17 in 2019).

For the fifth time since 2000, multiple defensive backs recorded at least 125 tackles in the same season, as a pair of Texans accomplished the feat in 2022, becoming the first pair of defensive back teammates to each record at least 125 tackles in the same season.

JALEN PITRE led all rookies and all defensive backs with 147 tackles, tied with Budda Baker (147 tackles in 2019) for the most tackles by a defensive back since 2000. He also became the fourth defensive back since 2000 with at least 125 tackles and five interceptions (five) in season.

JONATHAN OWENS, who signed with Green Bay this offseason, totaled a career--high 125 tackles for Houston last season and had five games with at least 10 tackles, the most such games by a defensive back in a season since 2014.

The Los Angeles Chargers' DERWIN JAMES (115 tackles in 2022) and Arizona's JALEN THOMPSON (109) are the only defensive backs that have totaled at least 100 tackles in each of the past two seasons.

Thompson's teammate, BUDDA BAKER also registered over 100 tackles last season (111) and is the only defensive back with at least 95 tackles in each of the past five seasons.

NFL 2023 - The NFL's Best Tacklers this Season