The defensive tackles are very important when you play Madden NFL 26. If you can get the best ones, you’ll likely win more than you lose.
Their ability to collapse the pocket and stop the run is crucial, as it allows the Edge Rushers to get to the Quarterback and keeps the Linebackers free to make plays. Not all top 10 players were well-known beforehand. For those, we lack deep insights, but we can still provide a snapshot of their identity, and luckily, their stats are accessible.
Madden NFL 26 – Best Defensive Tackle
10 – DeForest Buckner
- OVR: 88
- SPD: 76
- STR: 90
- AGI: 80
- COD: 65
- INJ: 95
- AWR: 89
DeForest Buckner, born in 1994, is a player who plays both defensive tackle and defensive end. He played college football for the Oregon Ducks and now plays for the Indianapolis Colts, wearing jersey number 99.
Buckner has been named to both the American Conference and National Conference Pro Bowls. He is proud of his Samoan descent.
9 – Jalen Carter
- OVR: 90
- SPD: 82
- STR: 94
- AGI: 78
- COD: 69
- INJ: 88
- AWR: 89
Jalen Carter is a defensive tackle who played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. He was part of the 2021 national championship team.
Carter now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, wearing jersey number 98. He was a consensus All-American in college and was selected as the 9th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Eagles.
8 – Quinnen Williams
- OVR: 91
- SPD: 84
- STR: 92
- AGI: 79
- COD: 62
- INJ: 91
- AWR: 92
Quinnen Williams was born on December 5, 1997, in Birmingham, Alabama. He is a defensive tackle for the New York Jets, wearing jersey number 95. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2016 to 2018, winning a national championship in 2017. Williams was the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
In college, he won the Outland Trophy, the Bill Willis Trophy, and was a Unanimous All-American in 2018. In the NFL, he is a First-team All-Pro (2022) and a three-time Pro Bowl player (2022–2024). He is also the younger brother of Jets linebacker Quincy Williams.
7 – Jefferey Simmons
- OVR: 92
- SPD: 78
- STR: 97
- AGI: 75
- COD: 63
- INJ: 90
- AWR: 91
Jeffery Simmons, born in 1997, is a defensive tackle. He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and now plays for the Tennessee Titans, wearing jersey number 98.
In 2018, he won the Conerly Trophy in college. In the NFL, he has been named to the American Conference Pro Bowl.
6 – Vita Vea
- OVR: 93
- SPD: 74
- STR: 98
- AGI: 71
- COD: 60
- INJ: 92
- AWR: 90
Vita Vea, born in 1995, is a defensive tackle. He played college football for the Washington Huskies and now plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, wearing jersey number 50.
Vea has been named to the National Conference Pro Bowl. He is of Tongan descent.
5 – Nnamdi Madubuike
- OVR: 93
- SPD: 81
- STR: 95
- AGI: 74
- COD: 64
- INJ: 91
- AWR: 93
Nnamdi Madubuike, born in 1997, is a defensive tackle. He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies and now plays for the Baltimore Ravens, wearing jersey number 92.
In 2024, he changed his first name from Justin to Nnamdi to honor his Nigerian heritage. He has been selected for the American Conference Pro Bowl, showing his high level of play. In March 2024, the Ravens placed a franchise tag on him and later signed him to a four-year contract worth $98 million.
4 – Cameron Heyward
- OVR: 94
- SPD: 75
- STR: 94
- AGI: 67
- COD: 59
- INJ: 92
- AWR: 94
Cameron Heyward, born in 1989, is a football player who plays both defensive end and defensive tackle. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and now plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Heyward has been named to the American Conference Pro Bowl, proving his skill in the NFL. He’s likely going to be doing great things as a top 5 DT.
3 – Derrick Brown
- OVR: 95
- SPD: 73
- STR: 98
- AGI: 70
- COD: 58
- INJ: 95
- AWR: 97
Derrick Brown is a defensive tackle who played college football for the Auburn Tigers. He is now a member of the Carolina Panthers, wearing jersey number 95.
In 2019, he won the Senior CLASS Award and was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Football Player of the Year, showing his strong impact in college football. He’s making his college proud as one of the top three DTs in Madden NFL 26.
2 – Dexter Lawrence II
- OVR: 97
- SPD: 76
- STR: 99
- AGI: 70
- COD: 56
- INJ: 93
- AWR: 96
Dexter Lawrence II was born on November 12, 1997, in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He is an football nose tackle who played college football at Clemson from 2016 to 2018. During his time there, he won two national championships in 2016 and 2018.
Lawrence was drafted by the New York Giants as the 17th pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He currently wears jersey number 97 for the Giants. His achievements include three Pro Bowl selections (2022–2024), First-team All-Pro honors in 2022 and 2023, and a spot on the 2019 NFL All-Rookie Team. He was also named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016.
1 – Chris Jones
- OVR: 97
- SPD: 73
- STR: 96
- AGI: 74
- COD: 62
- INJ: 93
- AWR: 99
Chris Jones, born in 1994, is a defensive tackle. He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. In the NFL, Jones has been a key player for the Kansas City Chiefs, where he currently plays and wears jersey number 95.
He has earned many honors, including being named to the American Conference Pro Bowl. Jones has also helped the Chiefs win three Super Bowls: Super Bowl LIV, Super Bowl LVII, and Super Bowl LVIII. He’s the top DT to look out for in Madden NFL 26.
