NFL Most Sacks and Tackles: Predictions, Picks, Best Bets 2023

• T.J. Watt Won Back-to-Back Sack Titles in 2020 and 2021.
• Nick Bosa Won the Sack Title in 2022.
• Foyesade Oluokon led the league in tackles in 2022 with 184. He also led the league in 2021 with 192 when he played for the Atlanta Falcons. 

The NFL is an offensive-minded league, and sportsbooks tend to match that thought process with the options available. However, that opens room for attractive values on tackle and prop lines that bettors would be wise to take advantage of.

Offense wins games, defense wins you money! Let’s dive into the sack and tackle lines you should target — and the lines to avoid — in your sportsbook. Check out the Best NFL Betting Sites to see where to bet on your favorite team! 

Unless otherwise noted, odds listed in parentheses () offer better value than comparable books.

NFL Most Sacks Odds

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Who Will Lead the League in Sacks?

Before jumping to individual lines, a burning question must be answered: Who will lead the NFL in sacks?

Find our best bets below.

T.J. Watt (+550)

The Steelers offense has struggled through the first two weeks of the NFL season, but the defense, namely T.J. Watt, hasn’t. Watt is tied for the league lead in sacks with four and tied for the most pressures, too, at 13 alongside Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. 

Watt typically lines up on the side of the right tackle, which is usually an easier matchup, while Alex Highsmith, a speedy edge rusher, can create his fair share of pressure (eight this season), which helps Watt. 

He’s led the league in sacks twice in the last three years, and he could break the record this year with 17 games on the slate. 

Micah Parson (+900)

Parsons has one less pressure and sack than Watt, and heading into Week 3 and 4, Parson will do battle with the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots. The Cardinals' offensive line has many issues, while the Patriots' interior is the problem. Parsons is a unique player; he lines up all over the defensive line, making his pass-rushing unpredictable. He’s just 24 years old and, through two seasons and two games, has 32 sacks. 

He’s sensational to watch. 

Nick Bosa (+1000)

It took until quite late in the offseason for Bosa and the 49ers to agree to a deal, and as a result, Bosa’s reps are still getting ramped up. He’s played 98 snaps this season through Week 2, which is 39th in the league amongst all defensive interior linemen and edge rushers. He’s tied for fifth amongst that same group in pass-rushing snaps, which is encouraging. While he was likely in football shape heading into the season, there’s something to be said about live reps. He has nine pressures, tied for fifth in the league with several other players, but hasn’t converted a sack yet. Eventually, the pressures will amount to sacks. He led the league in sacks last year, so give it some time. 

NFL Most Tackles Odds

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Who Will Lead the League in Combined Tackles?

Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun has led the league in combined tackles in both 2021 and 2022 — with two different teams — so it’s safe to say Oluokun will be a competitive option yet again this season.

Competitive, however, doesn’t ensure a three-peat. Who are the obvious contenders to lead the league in contending tackles?

Meet the Favorites

Oluokun sits atop the rest at +900. If the Jaguars linebacker completes the feat, he will be the second player to ever lead the league in combined tackles three seasons in a row, with Atlanta’s Jessie Tuggle last doing so in 1990, 1991 and 1992.

A former Falcons linebacker himself, Oluokun will need to break almost three decades of precedent to lead the league once more. Based on that while owning the shortest odds, it makes sense to look elsewhere.

Roquan Smith at +1000 is an attractive line. After being traded halfway through the 2022 season Smith’s 17-game pace with the Ravens put him on track for 162 combined tackles. He’s as stat-friendly as it comes and gets a full offseason to settle in Baltimore.

Smith has back-to-back seasons with at least 160 tackles but has never led the league in tackles in his young career. Given his heavy snap totals — which won’t change given his lofty five-year, $100 million contract that starts this season — and historical production Smith is a good bet to finally wear the tackle crown.

Across in the AFC West, Alex Singleton (+1400) wasn’t even supposed to start in 2022. Injuries pushed the former Eagle to start for the Denver Broncos, and he responded with a 163-tackle campaign despite only starting 12 games. Hell, he played zero defensive snaps and stuck to special teams for the entirety of Weeks 4 and 5.

The Broncos rewarded Singleton’s career year with a three-year, $18 million contract that ensures he’s the Week 1 starter in the Mile High. He should be close to an every-down player — after he played 80% of snaps or more in just eight of his 17 games — and has a good chance to put his tackle efficiency to good use.

What Are Some Guys With Longer Odds Worth Targeting?

Combined tackles are based on usage and efficiency, so non-household names have a very real chance to lead the league each year. That means there’s value available. It’s just a matter of finding it.

Shaq Thompson received a new defensive coordinator in Carolina this offseason, with Ejiro Evero arriving from a Denver scheme that helped both Singleton and Josey Jewell produce impressive stat lines. Thompson has the chance to improve upon career-highs in 2022 in a defense that prioritizes its linebackers.

Frankie Luvu is the hot commodity nowadays, but don’t forget about Thompson. He should get all the snaps he can handle in a 3-4 scheme that lets linebackers eat across the middle of the field. A season akin to Zach Cunningham’s strong 2020 season is very possible.

You can bet Thompson’s teammate at +2000, or simply take the value with Thompson himself at +4000.

Other longshots include Ernest Jones (+3300), who steps into a highly valuable role with the Rams after Bobby Wagner left was released. You can also consider Pete Werner, who was on pace for 151 combined tackles before suffering an injury in Week 9. With Kaden Elliss now playing in Atlanta Werner is needed more than ever to fill gaps close to the line of scrimmage while Demario Davis stays in coverage.