Defensive Tackle Busts

A bust is a player who can lead you to a losing season. And the earlier you have to pick a bust, the more damage he can do to your team.

RELATED: See Defensive Tackle Sleepers here >>>

To be clear, we define busts as players who we think will perform worse than most expect and be overvalued at their average draft position.

Our staff recently gathered to offer up their busts for this season. Here they are.

Defensive Tackle Busts from Tripp Brebner

Dexter Lawrence II, NY Giants

Dexter Lawrence II is one of the best nose tackles in the league. He's disruptive in both, the run and pass game. Fantasy football, however, rewards counting stats. Lawrence broke out in 2022 with 7.5 sacks, albeit with just 7 tackles for loss. He played up to his standards in 2023 but finished 24th in fantasy points among defensive tackles. Fantasy gamers drafting him squarely as a DT1 are likely to be disappointed.

Zach Sieler, Miami

The Miami Dolphins assembled a Pro-Bowl-level front for 2023. Zach Sieler profited with 10.5 sacks. Due to injuries and free agency, the unit is a shadow of itself in 2024. Pro Football Focus has found the players reaching double-digit sack totals despite a PFF pass-rush grade below 75 (like Sieler) rarely repeat the feat. Drafting Sieler as a DT1 in a big-play format is chasing last year's points. He must (and might) play a huge volume of snaps to bring gamers a return on investment.

Kobie Turner, LA Rams

Like Zach Sieler, Kobie Turner lost a battery mate that helped fuel his production. Aaron Donald, arguably the best interior pass rusher ever, helped transform players like Leonard Floyd into fantasy options, too. The 2024 Rams' front four in nickel subpackages will typically include two rookies and two sophomores. Growing pains should be expected.