The Toughest Defensive Tackles Jason Kelce Has Faced
Jason Kelce has established himself as one of the best centers in the NFL over the past decade. As the anchor of the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line, Kelce has faced off against some of the top defensive tackles in the league on a regular basis. While he has had tremendous success in his career, there are a few defensive tackles that have given Kelce especially tough matchups over the years. Here are the five defensive tackles that have proven to be the most difficult for Kelce to block.
Aaron Donald (Los Angeles Rams)
There may not be a more dominant defensive tackle in the entire NFL right now than Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year is an absolute nightmare for opposing offensive lines. At 6’1 and 280 pounds, Donald has a rare combination of size, strength, quickness, and athleticism that allows him to wreak havoc in the backfield on a weekly basis.
Kelce has had to go up against Donald in the NFC West division multiple times over the past few seasons and it has never been an easy task. Donald’s get-off at the snap is lightning quick and he has an array of pass rushing moves that leave blockers grasping at air. Even with Kelce’s tremendous technique and leverage ability, Donald’s combination of power and finesse is extremely difficult to contain on a consistent basis.
In one particular matchup in 2019, Donald simply took over the game. He recorded four sacks, six quarterback hits, and consistently blew past Kelce and the Eagles offensive line. It was one of the most dominant defensive line performances perhaps of all-time. Kelce acknowledged after the game how special of a player Donald is. “He’s one of the best in the league for a reason. He’s an incredible athlete, he’s strong, he’s quick. He gave us fits all game long.”
Fletcher Cox (Philadelphia Eagles)
As a longtime teammate, Kelce knows Fletcher Cox’s game inside and out. But that familiarity does not make Cox any easier to block. The Eagles Pro Bowl defensive tackle is one of the most disruptive interior pass rushers in the NFL thanks to his combination of size, power, and quickness.
At 6’4 and 310 pounds, Cox has the size to hold his own against double teams in the run game. But he also has the athleticism and technique to consistently beat one-on-one blocks and get into the backfield. Kelce has had many battles with Cox in practice over the years and knows just how explosive he can be off the snap.
In a 2018 matchup against the Eagles, Cox was nearly unblockable. He recorded 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, and constantly pushed the pocket into Carson Wentz’s face. Kelce struggled mightily to keep Cox out of the backfield. After the game, Cox credited his success to studying Kelce’s tendencies. “I know how he sets. I know the tricks he likes to use.” Even against a close friend and teammate, Cox can be a nightmare to block.
Geno Atkins (Cincinnati Bengals)
From 2010 to 2015, Geno Atkins established himself as one of the premier interior pass rushers in the NFL as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. The four-time Pro Bowler was a menace up the middle thanks to his lightning quick first step off the ball and relentless motor.
Kelce faced off against Atkins multiple times a year in the AFC North and it was always a battle. At 6’1 and 300 pounds, Atkins didn’t have elite size but he more than made up for it with technique and explosiveness. He was a master of using his hands to shed blocks and could knife into the backfield before blockers even realized what happened.
In one 2014 matchup, Atkins totally took over the game. He finished with three sacks, five quarterback hits, and was in the Eagles backfield on nearly every passing down. Kelce struggled mightily to keep up with Atkins’ first step and array of pass rushing moves. After the game, Kelce said Atkins was “probably the quickest player I’ve ever gone up against. He’s a special talent for sure.” Even in his prime, Atkins gave Kelce fits with his speed and power.
Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs)
As one of the newest faces on this list, Chris Jones is still early in his career but has already established himself as one of the premier defensive tackles in the NFL. At 6’6 and 310 pounds, Jones is an absolute monster of an athlete who is still tapping into his full potential.
Kelce faced off against Jones for the first and only time so far in 2018 as a member of the Chiefs. Even in that lone matchup, it was clear Jones was a special talent. He finished with six tackles, two sacks, and was in the Eagles backfield all game long. His combination of size, strength, and athleticism made him nearly impossible for Kelce to handle one-on-one.
After the game, Kelce raved about Jones’ raw abilities. “That’s a huge man that can really move. He’s explosive and he’s strong. To be that big and move like that is really impressive.” Jones is still just 25 years old but is already one of the most disruptive defensive tackles in the league. Kelce knows if they meet again in the future, Jones will be an even tougher challenge with more experience under his belt.
DeForest Buckner (San Francisco 49ers)
As a member of the San Francisco 49ers, DeForest Buckner has established himself as one of the most well-rounded defensive tackles in football. At 6’7 and 300 pounds, Buckner has the ideal size to hold up against the run but he also has the athleticism and technique to be a factor as a pass rusher.
Kelce has faced off against Buckner multiple times a season since Buckner entered the league in 2016. While not an elite speed rusher, Buckner wins with power, length, and leverage. He is incredibly difficult to move off his spot and can extend his arms to keep blockers off his body. Even with Kelce using excellent technique, Buckner is so big and strong that he often pushes the pocket even when not recording stats.
In a 2019 matchup, Buckner was nearly unblockable. He finished with nine tackles, two sacks, and was in on nearly every play. Kelce acknowledged Buckner’s all-around game makes him a “load to handle.” Even for a veteran like Kelce, Buckner presents a unique challenge due to his rare size and strength at the defensive tackle position.
Conclusion
Over the past decade, Jason Kelce has established himself as one of the best centers in the NFL. But even for a player of his caliber, there are some defensive tackles that are simply nightmares to block on a consistent basis. Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, Geno Atkins, Chris Jones, and DeForest Buckner all bring unique skills and talents that have given Kelce especially tough matchups throughout his career.
While Kelce has had tremendous individual success and helped his team to a Super Bowl title, these elite defensive tackles are constant reminders that no blocker is perfect. They represent the cream of the crop at the defensive tackle position and highlight just how difficult it is to win matchups against the best interior pass rushers in football. Kelce may have met his match against this stellar group of disruptors
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