X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Time To Hang It Up: Five NFL Defensive Stars Who Should Retire Right Now

aaron donald fantasy football rankings news NFL DFS lineup picks

Which NFL defensive players should retire after the 2022 season? Should you trade these aging players away from your IDP dynasty team? Mitch Blatt looks at five NFL players who could hang it up in the upcoming 2022-23 offseason.

Sometimes when you are late into a Sunday afternoon watching the Red Zone Network, you see a random player on your screen you didn't think played anymore. He's wearing an unfamiliar uniform. Maybe you only catch a glimpse of him when the camera pans the sideline bench. And you think, "Wait. He's still playing?!"

J.J. Watt retired this offseason at just the right time. He played all sixteen games and recorded 12.5 sacks, his first double-digit season since 2018. He made two sacks in his final game ever, and Red Zone shifted coverage to Arizona to show the crowd giving him a standing ovation at the two-minute warning. That is the way to go.

As a fan, you don't want to see players try to stay around for too long and damage their hard-earned legacies. Here are five once-great gridiron warriors who ought to hang it up right now.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

#1. Aaron Donald, DT/DE, Age 31

2022 Stats: 11 games, 49 tackles, 5.0 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery

Actually, Donald should have followed Andrew Whitworth and retired after the 2022 Super Bowl rather than suffer through the 2022 Rams season. He had his ring. He just turned thirty. He had been selected to the All-Pro first team for seven straight years. He had nothing left to prove.

But maybe he (like the NFL schedule-makers) overestimated the Rams' chances of repeating. Well, the season quickly went downhill. The Rams went 5-12. Like many of the Rams' starters, Donald got injured and missed six games toward the end of the year.

He had an alright season, making 5.0 sacks and 49 combined tackles in 11 games, but it wasn't close to his previous seasons. He missed being selected to the All-Pro team for the first time since his rookie season. It won't get much better for the Rams this season.

 

#2. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Age 36

2022 Stats: eight games, ten combined tackles, 1.0 sack

In his 20s, Suh won Defensive Rookie of the Year and made the All-Pro team five times. He made over 60 combined tackles three times as a defensive tackle, setting a career-high with 72 at age 29. But his production started to trail off as soon as he hit 30. That year, he only made 48 tackles, his lowest total in four years, and he never again would be the same force crashing on running backs behind the line of scrimmage.

After three wanting years with the Buccaneers, no team wanted him heading into the 2022 season, but the Eagles eventually added him when Jordan Davis suffered a late-season injury. In eight games as a rotational player, Suh made 10 tackles, two QB hits, and one sack.

 

#3. Bruce Irvin, DE, Age 36

2022 Stats: 11 games, 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks

The 36-year-old edge rusher says we shouldn't assume he's done. He should be done. If 2022 is his last season, he will have gone out on a high note.

Selected by the Seattle Seahawks No. 15 overall in 2012, he was a fearsome player who routinely knocked balls loose and approached double-digit sack totals. He didn't play up to his first-round status, but he was a quality starter and a part of the Legion of Boom that allowed the fewest points in each of his first four years in the league. Irvin made history in Super Bowl XLIX, sacking Tom Brady and punching Rob Gronkowski in the closing seconds, making him the only player to ever get ejected from a Super Bowl.

After the Seahawks, he spent three seasons with the Raiders, but he's been bouncing around ever since, rejoining the Seahawks for two games in 2020, making seven tackles for the Bears in 2021. In 2022, he once again joined the Seahawks practice squad and was elevated to the starting lineup for ten games, during which time he made 28 sacks and 3.5 sacks, which is 3.5 more than he did in the preceding two years. To return to the team that drafted him and have the best season he's likely ever going to have again is a good way to go.

 

#4. Josh Norman, CB, Age 37

2022 Stats: two games, eight tackles, four receptions (one TD) allowed on six targets

Josh Norman took some time to build up to the status of shutdown corner. After rising and then falling in the run-up to the 2012 Draft, the Coastal Carolina product was drafted in the fifth round by Carolina. He played so poorly that he was benched in 2013, but by the second half of 2014, he was put on the opposing team's number-one receiver.

In 2015, he held DeAndre Hopkins to 53 yards, T.Y. Hilton to 15 yards, Dez Bryant to 6 yards, and Julio Jones to 33 yards. He was an epic trash talker and physical nuisance. He got into Odell Beckham Jr's head and caused him to commit three personal fouls, including a punch that resulted in a one-game suspension. In 2014, 2015, and 2016, Normal allowed fewer than 54% of the passes thrown in his direction to be completed.

But by 2018, his coverage skills and tackling ability both began to decline precipitously. Opposing quarterbacks went after him, and he allowed completions over 67% of the time in each of his past five seasons. He was back with the Panthers for the final two games of the 2022 season after injuries were piling up, and he looked done.

 

#5. Anthony Barr, LB, Age 31

2022 Stats: 14 games, 58 tackles, 1.0 sack, zero forced fumbles, zero fumble recoveries

The last of Barr's four Pro Bowls was five years ago. The former No. 9 overall pick was solid across the board early in his stint with the Vikings. He could create a couple of turnovers, put hits on the quarterback, and make five combined tackles a game.

Later, his seasons would always be disrupted by injury. He has missed two or more games every year since 2018, including missing 14 games in 2020 with a torn pec.

He was a depth piece on the Cowboys in 2022, his first season apart from the Vikings, and he wasn't making the grade. Now he's a free agent. He shouldn't look for a new home.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jonathan Taylor

is "Good" After Taking a Hit to his Neck in Week 1
Caio Borralho

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Kyle Stowers

Suffers Setback on Rehab Assignment?
Nassourdine Imavov

Extends Win Streak
Mauricio Ruffy

Gets Submitted
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Taps Out Mauricio Ruffy
Michael King

Expected to Return on Tuesday
Russell Wilson

Remains the Giants Starter
Trea Turner

Undergoing MRI Exam on Monday
Paul Craig

Retires After UFC Paris Loss
Denny Hamlin

Earns his First Cup Victory at Gateway
Kyle Larson

Damage Ruins Kyle Larson's Chance At a Top Finish at Gateway
Christopher Bell

Scores his Third Top-10 Finish at Gateway
Joey Logano

Maintains his Perfect Top-Five Streak at Gateway
Ryan Blaney

Struggles and Recovers for a Top-Five Finish at Gateway
Modestas Bukauskas

Scores First-Round Knockout
Bolaji Oki

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Xavier Worthy

Week-to-Week with Dislocated Shoulder
Mason Jones

Scores Comeback Win
Rhys McKee

Suffers Third-Round TKO Loss
Axel Sola

Successful In His UFC Debut
Robert Ruchała

Robert Ruchala Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
William Gomis

Bounces Back In The Win Column
Derrick Henry

Scores Twice but has Costly Fumble on Sunday
Lamar Jackson

Shines With Three Total Touchdowns in Loss to Bills
Keon Coleman

Leads the Team With 11 Targets on Sunday
Josh Allen

Totals Four Touchdowns in Win Over Ravens
Chase Elliott

Gets Lucky but Still Has Best Run at Gateway
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Wins Stage 2, but Was Let Down by Strategy
Tyler Reddick

Despite Bad Luck, Tyler Reddick Does What he Needed to Do
Chase Briscoe

Recovers from Incident with Daniel Suarez to Finish Second
William Byron

Late Caution Foils William Byron's Shot at Gateway Victory
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dominates Targets in Seattle, Records 124 Receiving Yards in Week 1
Puka Nacua

Leads Rams in Targets, Catches, and Receiving Yards in Week 1
Logan O'Hoppe

Exits After Concussion Scare, Status Remains Unclear
Christian McCaffrey

Logs 31 Touches in Season Opener
Travis Etienne Jr.

Dominates Backfield Touches in Jacksonville, Posts Monster Day
Jayson Tatum

"Moving Around Way Better"
Russell Wilson

Giants Won't Commit to Russell Wilson as Week 2 Starter
Drake London

Day-to-Day with Shoulder Sprain
George Kittle

and Jauan Jennings to Undergo MRIs
Jake Moody

49ers to Evaluate Kicker Position After Jake Moody Struggles
Evan Engram

Questionable to Return Against Titans
Daniel Palencia

to Miss Time With Shoulder Injury
Jauan Jennings

Questionable to Return With Shoulder Injury
Emeka Egbuka

Scores Twice in NFL Debut
Aaron Rodgers

Throws Four Touchdowns in Week 1
Justin Fields

Scores Three Times in Loss
Daniel Jones

Excellent in Colts Debut Sunday
Byron Buxton

Exits Early With Knee Contusion
Trea Turner

Suffers Hamstring Strain
Ryan Blaney

Should Contend at Gateway
Denny Hamlin

Fastest in Qualifying, the Favorite to Win at Gateway
Christopher Bell

Looking for Redemption at Gateway
Joey Logano

Has Been Elite at Gateway
Austin Cindric

Should Be On Your Radar at Gateway
AJ Allmendinger

Could Be a Sleeper Again at Gateway
Tyler Reddick

Southern 500 Near-Miss Makes Tyler Reddick a Stronger Option for Gateway
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace a Likely Gateway Contender
Alex Bowman

a Long Shot to Advance in Playoffs
Austin Dillon

Richard Childress Racing Looks Slower at Gateway, Which Will Hurt Austin Dillon
Shane Van Gisbergen

Starts 18th in Gateway Debut
Bubba Chandler

to Make First Start on Sunday
Samuel Basallo

Exits Early with Hand Injury
Jeremy Swayman

Ready to Get Back on Track
Connor McDavid

Aiming for More Goals
NJ

Luke Glendening Signs Tryout Deal With Devils
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Leaves Early on Saturday After Fouling Ball Off his Knee
Dylan Harper

Hoping to be Ready for the Opener Versus Dallas
EDM

Derek Ryan Retires From Hockey
Connor Zary

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Flames
Carey Price

Canadiens Trade Carey Price to Sharks
Bobby Witt Jr.

Dealing With Back Spasms
Bobby Witt Jr.

Exits Early on Friday
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Placed on Injured List With Quad Strain
Tyler Glasnow

Scratched on Friday With Back Tightness
Rasmus Hojgaard

Finishes Tied For Second at Omega European Masters
Tyrrell Hatton

Finishes Tied for 32nd at LIV Indianapolis
Matt Fitzpatrick

Finishes Fifth at Omega European Masters
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied For Second in 2025 FedEx Cup Standings
Xander Schauffele

Finishes 42nd in 2025 FedEx Cup Standings
Tyler Glasnow

Scratched From Friday's Start for Undisclosed Reasons
Shohei Ohtani

Returning to the Mound on Friday
Kyle Finnegan

Lands on Injured List With Adductor Strain
Aaron Judge

Returns to Right Field on Friday
Willson Contreras

' Suspension Reduced, to Start Serving it on Friday
Kodai Senga

Mets Send Kodai Senga to Triple-A to Get Right
Caio Borralho

Set For A Title Eliminator Bout
Nassourdine Imavov

Looks To Earn A Title Shot
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set For UFC Paris Co-Main Event
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Paul Craig

In Dire Need Of Victory
Mason Jones

Set for Main-Card Bout
Bolaji Oki

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Rhys McKee

Set To Open Up UFC Paris Main Card
Pablo López

Pablo Lopez Expected to Return on Friday
Jon Rahm

Looks to Prove His Importance on European Ryder Cup Team
Tommy Fleetwood

Among Leaders of European Ryder Cup Team
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Close to Triple-Double Versus Serbia
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Fills Box Score Against Turkey
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Shakes Off Minor Injury
E.J. Liddell

Inks Two-Way Deal With Nets
NBA

Ben Simmons Reportedly Considering Retirement
P.J. Washington

Agrees to Four-Year, $90 Million Extension
Sepp Straka

Gets Captain's Pick to Join Team Europe
PGA

Victor Hovland to Make Third Ryder Cup Appearance for Team Europe
J.J. Spaun

Set to Represent Team USA for First Time at Bethpage
Russell Henley

Makes First Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Harris English

Named to Ryder Cup Team for Second Time
Justin Thomas

Making Fourth Ryder Cup Team Appearance at Bethpage
Ben Griffin

Making First Career Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Bryson DeChambeau

Set to be Part of Team USA at Bethpage
Santi Aldama

Bags Double-Double in Losing Effort
Guerschon Yabusele

Erupts for 36 Points Against Poland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Leads Slovenia Into Next Round at EuroBasket
San Antonio Spurs

Stanley Umude Signs Training Camp Deal With Spurs
Reece Beekman

Joins Magic for Training Camp
Justin Minaya

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Magic
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP