NFL Tackle Leaders: Put Some Respect in Oluokun’s Name

When it comes to naming the best linebackers in the NFL, most know who Roquan Smith and Fred Warner are. But how about Foyesade Oluokun? The Jaguar is now the NFL tackle leader for two straight NFL seasons and even set a record for combined tackles in 2021 with 192. But he did not even earn a Pro Bowl selection. How does he stack up with the elite?

NFL’s Tackle Leaders For 2023

Oluokun Leads Stats

With 184 combined tackles, 128 solo, Foyesade Oluokun became the NFL’s tackle leader for the second straight season. Oluokun edged Kansas City’s Nick Bolton by four combined tackles but led him by 20 solos. His 376 combined tackles is the most by any NFL player in a two-season span. Even if this was averaged to 16 games, it would be 354.

NFL 2022 TACKLES LEADERS

Oluokun Ranks in the Middle Among Top Peers

Despite leading the NFL stats, Oluokun was not voted into the Pro Bowl. Sports pundits like Pro Football Focus (PFF) also rated him lukewarmly, ranking him 18th out of the 32 best linebackers. That would still be high praise considering PFF’s criteria.

The 27-year-old was said to have improved on his pass coverage in 2022, something he struggled with in his time with Atlanta. However, Oluokun will need to continue improving to increase his rating and ultimately be recognized more.

Foyesade Oluokun’s Player Profile & Stats

Still, the 27-year-old was recognized in a different and perhaps more important way: financially. He inked a $45-million three-year deal with Jacksonville. His average annual salary of $15 million per season makes him one of the 13 richest linebackers currently in the league. It also ranks him sixth among inside linebackers.

Foyesade is entering his sixth season as a professional. He was drafted by Atlanta in the sixth round in 2018, the 200th overall pick. As a player from Yale, he became the first to be drafted by an NFL team since Shane Bannon in 2011.

The NFL’s All-Time Tackle Leaders

If Oluokun keeps this up, he may just continue finding himself in the record books. So far, he has plenty of work to do to catch up to the NFL’s tackle leaders all-time. Ray Lewis currently holds the record with 2,059 combined tackles. Among active players, Bobby Wagner has the most with 1,523.

With 646 combined tackles for his career, Oluokun ranks 26th. But among players drafted 2018 onwards, only Smith has more with 693.

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