# Kent Swanson: Kent ranked their top 10 NFL defensive tackles heading into the 2026 season in tiers, topped by Jeffrey Simmons with Byron Murphy second, and predicted Simmons remains the best defensive tackle in football in 2026. **Claimed:** Jun 25, 2026 **Pundit:** Kent Swanson — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/kent-swanson **Outlet:** KC Sports Network (podcast) — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/kc-sports-network-podcast **How it reached us:** said on air, transcribed by us **Original:** https://pdrl.fm/8d7cde/mgln.ai/e/256/pscrb.fm/rss/p/clrtpod.com/m/bluewire.simplecastaudio.com/8bf45406-115f-47da-8dc8-dcc5713f4a83/episodes/6f1a8f7b-cbb0-4cb4-b329-1e0cc21bc7e5/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=8bf45406-115f-47da-8dc8-dcc5713f4a83&awEpisodeId=6f1a8f7b-cbb0-4cb4-b329-1e0cc21bc7e5&feed=BJf5DYgc 2 checkable claims — 1 positional finish and 1 top player list — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call. It names 2 players and teams, each linked to their own record. None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in. Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room. > Jeffrey Simmons is the best defensive tackle in football. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - “Kobi Turner... give me him with the number 10... number nine, Leonard Williams... Quentin Williams is sitting at eight... it's Jalen Carter... Zach Allen is the stand alone tier for me... Old but still elite... Cameron Hayward... Dexter Lawrence... Chris Jones (I had him at three)... My number two player... is Byron Murphy... Jeffrey Simmons is the best defensive tackle in football.” - Kind: Top Player Lists - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jeffery Simmons to finish top 1 at his position, by sacks** - Kind: Positional Finishes · About: Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Jeffery Simmons — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jeffery-simmons - Tennessee Titans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/titans ## What others said about the same people - Shaun Calderon on Jeffery Simmons: Calderon argues the 0-5 Titans won't turn their season around, that Cam Ward won't be benched soon, and that Jeffery Simmons stays in Tennessee while Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley are likely trade candidates with modest returns. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fcfebcd7-04de-406f-aa74-4c404a9f8b0e (scored 0) - Lane Mills on Tennessee Titans: Mills predicts the Titans finish 2026 at 6-11 (2-4 in the AFC South), missing the playoffs, with specific wins over the Jets, Giants, Browns, Jaguars, Raiders and Colts, and names Wan'Dale Robinson team MVP with another 1,000-yard, seven-touchdown season as Cam Ward's top receiver. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5a2c4e6d-57dd-4dc9-9f27-c1446726f490 (scored 0) - Nathan Jahnke on K.J. Osborn: An unsigned PFF preseason recap makes numerous depth-chart, roster and usage projections across the league, based on Week 3 preseason playing time — including Roman Wilson winning Pittsburgh's third receiver job, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' top tight end, and Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/47566b48-8024-4960-b25c-11c03fe43543 (scored 100) - Gennaro Filice on Tennessee Titans: The lone NFL.com pick for Tennessee, projecting a low-scoring 14-13 Titans upset built on their defensive front containing Jonathan Taylor. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/82b9c77a-e26d-4ea7-ac0f-51e169b90170 (scored 88.1) - Dan Graziano on Tennessee Titans: The lone ESPN pick for Tennessee, taking the Titans to beat the Colts. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3e2b2f7e-ad60-423a-9f5e-6114c8c1c48d (scored 100) - Tyler Sullivan on Tennessee Titans: Sullivan says it would not surprise them if the Titans beat the Colts for their first win of the season, arguing the line is too big in the divisional matchup. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/df50c99c-c644-4281-a89f-8e4fa9499a42 (scored 100) ## More positional finishes The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Nick Wright on Puka Nacua: Nick Wright picked the Ravens to beat Houston this weekend even with Lamar Jackson possibly out (leaning on Derrick Henry and Cooper Rush), the Chiefs to win in Jacksonville, and the Rams to beat the 49ers on Thursday night. They also laid out an AFC playoff field of Bills, Steelers, Chiefs, Chargers and Colts, projected the Chiefs' receiver pecking order once Rashee Rice returns, and called Justin Jefferson the best receiver in football with Puka Nacua a top-five receiver. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d48b8521-6883-4f25-99f1-6f552bfe5a94 (scored 75) - Rich Hribar on Matthew Stafford: Hribar published their 2023 fantasy football quarterback tiers, ordering 41 quarterbacks into eight tiers that reflect how they prioritize drafting the position, with Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes in the top tier as the trio most likely to finish as the overall QB1. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/9d1e15ad-f96d-457c-ad9f-25882182e28b (scored 100) - Chris Brockman on Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Brockman argued Jaxon Smith-Njigba is already the best receiver in the NFL and deserves to be the highest paid, called their shot that three quarterbacks (Mendoza, Ty Simpson, Carson Beck) go in the first round with Mendoza first overall, and suggested New England is headed for a 7-10 season. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c47d130c-5598-4cd0-b546-1121046b9166 (scored 100) - Ryan Tracy on Bryan Cook: Tracy argues the Chiefs should address edge rusher and defensive tackle via the draft and use free agency on running back and wide receiver; they name Brian Robinson as their target, expects Kenneth Walker III to re-sign with Seattle, thinks Nick Bolton-style veterans like Jerry Tillery, Derek Nnadi and Mike Pennel shouldn't return, believes Bryan Cook is a top-10 safety the Chiefs can't afford, and predicts a quarterback (Trinidad Chambliss) will rocket up boards so more than one QB goes in the top 10. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/18bb787c-4f93-4c95-b8c2-02daeeffe823 (scored 0) - Pat Gustavson on Bijan Robinson: Gustafson picks the Patriots, Bills, Seahawks and Bears in the divisional round with a Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl, predicts Mike Tomlin and Matt LaFleur stay, Aaron Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh, and lays out their own coaching landing spots. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/06884586-5b21-40c8-9439-e303a3e8a806 (scored 75) - JP Acosta on Bijan Robinson: JP picked the Eagles to beat the 49ers in a low-scoring game and the Jaguars to beat the Bills, called Bijan Robinson the best running back in the league, and named their own first-team All-Pro roster. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/660e3494-2b0b-415e-beb7-9e3bf3464e30 (scored 75) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. 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