5 Bold Takes at Defensive Tackle

Our staff members plant their flags at defensive tackle for the 2024 season.

Footballguys Staff's 5 Bold Takes at Defensive Tackle Footballguys Staff Published 08/27/2024

The 2024 season is almost upon us, so it's time for bold takes.

We asked the Footballguys staff to give their ride-or-die takes for this season. Here's what they said.

A Bold Take from Gary Davenport

Justin Madubuike of the Ravens will finish outside the Top 10.

Over the first three seasons of his career, Madubuike amassed 8.5 sacks. Last year (The last of his rookie deal—stunner), Madubuike tallied 13—and was rewarded with well over $25 million a season in annual salary. Maybe 2023 was a lightbulb year, and Madubuike will claim the mantle of IDP's top defensive tackle. There's no consensus top guy after 99 (Aaron Donald) hung them up—sniffle.

But it's also possible that Madubuike's season was an outlier. A one-off. A perfect storm. He wasn't rostered to start the 2023 season in most IDP leagues. Last year's (Career-high, go figure.) 56 total tackles aren't enough to offset a dip in sacks, and the dip's coming. There are more proven options going after Madubuike—enough that The Godfather is fading him at cost.

A Bold Take from Tripp Brebner

Dallas' Osa Odighizuwa will be a top-ten DT in 2024.

Odighizuwa's performance put him in rarified air in 2023. The pass-rush wins didn't translate to box scores. Former coordinator Dan Quinn employed deep rotations at every level for the past three years, frustrating fantasy gamers. New coordinator Mike Zimmer more regularly relied on his best eleven in Minnesota. The newfound volume will complement elite performance for DT1 results.

Already a subscriber?

Continue reading this content with a ELITE subscription.

An ELITE subscription is required to access content for IDP (individual defensive players) leagues. If this league is not a IDP (individual defensive players) league, you can edit your leagues here.

Photos provided by Imagn Images
Share This Article

More by Footballguys Staff

 

Free Agency What-Ifs: The Fantasy Notebook

Bob Harris

Sorting out the chaos with a big-picture look at fantasy-specific news, notes, and analysis from around the NFL. 

03/22/26 Read More
 

Jaylen Waddle, Justin Fields, Cam Skattebo, and More NFL News

Sigmund Bloom

The most important NFL stories from the past week and why they matter for fantasy football.

03/19/26 Read More
 

Free Agency Fallout: Challenging the Fantasy Football Consensus

Dave Kluge

Not every free agency move means what you think. Dave Kluge and Joey Wright break down Kenneth Walker, Rachaad White, Trey McBride, and other storylines that could reshape fantasy football rankings.

03/18/26 Read More
 

2026 Footballguys March Madness Challenge Is Here

Jackson Bryant

March Madness is here, and we want you in the bracket.

03/17/26 Read More
 

Jaylen Waddle Fantasy Fallout After He Is Traded To The Denver Broncos

Dave Kluge

Jaylen Waddle was traded from the Miami Dolphins to the Denver Broncos. What does it all mean for fantasy football? Find out in this instant reaction article!

03/17/26 Read More
 

Fantasy Fallout: Tracking the Important 2026 NFL Player Moves

2026 NFL free agency is in full swing; track the important moves here.

03/17/26 Read More