NFL Tackles Leader 2022: Defensive Player Prop Bets

Tackling a ball carrier is the essence of the sport of football — no play is over until the ball carrier is forced to the ground or out of bounds by a defensive player. Last year, Foye Oluokun led the NFL in tackles with 192, and he has the second-best odds (+750), according to Unibet Sportsbook, to repeat as the NFL’s leading tackler in 2022. 

Bears linebacker Roquan Smith is the favorite to lead the NFL in tackles in 2022 (+500) after finishing fifth in 2021. Only five defensive players accumulated over 160 tackles last season, and four of the top five leading tacklers in 2021 are in the top five odds to finish 2022 as the NFL’s leading tackler. 

Heading into his fifth NFL season, Smith has accumulated over 100 sacks in all four of his seasons. Oluokun, also entering his fifth season, started every game in 2021 for the first time in his career and he amassed 192 tackles. 

Bobby Wagner (+750) and Fred Warner (+750) are tied with Oluokun in odds to lead the NFL I t ackles. Wagner finished in third place with 170 tackles last season, while Warner, who has played in every NFL game of his career but one, only recorded 137 last season. 

Jordyn Brooks, the NFL’s second-leading tackler last season, has +1000 odds to lead the league next season after a 184-tackle campaign in 2021. Darius Leonard, the Colts’ superstar LB, also has +1000 odds to lead the NFL in tackles after having 122 tackles in 2021. 

Who Will be the 2022 NFL Leading Tackler?

Let’s dive into the favorites to lead the NFL in tackles (solo + assists) in 2022, per Unibet Sportsbook:

Why is Roquan Smith Favored to Have the Most NFL Tackles in the 2022 Season?

Roquan Smith is entering his fifth year in the NFL after being selected eighth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Smith has had over 100 tackles in all four of his NFL seasons and he set a career-high with 163 tackles last season, which was good for fifth in the NFL. Smith was so good last season that he was named a second-team AP All-Pro for his efforts last year and he is just 24 years old.

Smith has a nose for the football and also rushes the passer on occasion. Smith complied 95 solo tackles, 68 assists, and 12 tackles for loss last season. Smith played 95% of the Bears’ snaps last season and he has missed just four games in his NFL career. 

Smith has the opportunity to rack up tackles due to how bad the Bears’ defense is. Ball carriers and wide receivers often find themselves getting through the first level of the defense, so it is up to Smith to make tackles and prevent big plays. What also separates Smith is his sideline-to-sideline speed and his ability to make tackles all over the field. He runs with a purpose to every ball carrier and the Bears rely on him in the middle of their defense. 

Best 2022 NFL Tackle Leader Bets

Foye Oluokun (+750)

Foye Oluokun is not a household name — he was drafted in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft from Yale and he was not a starter until his third season in the NFL. Oluokun finished with 192 tackles last season, most in the NFL, and I believe there is value in him repeating as the tackle leader again. 

For starters, Oluokun plays on the Falcons, who have maybe the worst defensive line in all of football. The Falcons’ inability to push the pocket, or create pressure, allows ball carriers to make it to the second level for Oluokun to clean up. Oluokun had 102 solo tackles and 90 assists last year, meaning he is always around the football and making plays. 

While it is hard to believe, the Falcons actually look like they will be worse this year than last year, and this means Oluokun has the chance to have a similar season to last year. Oluokun played in all 17 games last season, and with limited reps under his belt, there are not many injury concerns for Oluokun. He played 98% of Atlanta’s defensive snaps last season and he should come close to that number again this year. 

Jordyn Brooks (+1000)

When Jordyn Brooks was drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, there was a lot of skepticism about the pick. Two seasons later, Brooks finished second in the NFL in tackles with 184 in 2021 and I expect him to finish near the top again next season. 

Similar to the Falcons, the Seahawks have an underwhelming defensive line that allows a lot of ball careers to make it to the second level. This gives Brooks the ability to close in on ball carriers and make tackles. Brooks finished with 109 solo tackles, most in the NFL, and 77 assists last season. 

With a worse defense, and no Bobby Wagner to steal tackles next to him, Brooks should certainly compete for the NFL’s tackle crown again last season. Brooks played 87% of Seattle’s defensive snaps last year, and with no Wagner and two years of experience under his belt, that number, and his tackle numbers, should rise. 

Best Longshot Bet

Micah Parsons (+3500)

Micah Parsons does so much for the Cowboys’ defense, compiling interceptions, sacks, forced fumbles and more, that often people overlook how good of a tackler he is. Parsons finished with just 84 tackles last season, good for 76th in the NFL, but I expect him to make more plays on the football next year. 

The 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Parsons showed an uncanny ability to be around the football at all times and make plays on the ball that other NFL players cannot make. Parsons played 84% of defensive snaps for the Cowboys as a rookie, so it is expected that this number will soar in year two. Parsons does a lot more than just make tackles, but he is as good at wrapping up offensive players as anyway, and he can certainly lead the NFL in tackles. 

Understanding 2022 NFL Tackle Leader Odds

Are you trying to bet on which NFL player will lead the league in tackles in 2022? FTNBets has you covered with all the information you need to begin betting. Create an account with a sportsbook using our affiliate links, deposit money, and get ready to place an NFL Futures bet. 

When you visit a sportsbook, you will see the odds listed for future bets like this:

• Roquan Smith (+500)
• Foye Oluokun (+750)
• Bobby Wagner (+750)
• Jordyn Brooks (+1000)

A $100 wager on Smith would payout $500 if Smith wins. A $100 wager on Oluokun or Wagner would net a bettor $750. The longer the odds, the lower their implied probability to win, meaning the higher the odds, the bigger the payout. 

Check out the FTN Bets Parlay Calculator to see how much you’d win based on the odds and amount wagered.