NFL Sacks Year-by-Year Leaders (since 1982)

Players must meet the minimum requirements to show up on this leaderboard. For some seasons (1960-1969 & 1947-1950) leaders for both leagues are shown.

Leaders

  • + indicates Hall of Famer, season age in parentheses
Leaders Table
Year Player Sk Tm
2020T.J. Watt (25)15.0PIT
2019Shaquil Barrett (26)19.5TAM
2018Aaron Donald (27)20.5LAR
2017Chandler Jones (27)17.0ARI
2016Vic Beasley (24)15.5ATL
2015J.J. Watt (26)17.5HOU
2014Justin Houston (25)22.0KAN
2013Robert Mathis (32)19.5IND
2012J.J. Watt (23)20.5HOU
2011Jared Allen (29)22.0MIN
2010DeMarcus Ware (28)15.5DAL
2009Elvis Dumervil (25)17.0DEN
2008DeMarcus Ware (26)20.0DAL
2007Jared Allen (25)15.5KAN
2006Shawne Merriman (22)17.0SDG
2005Derrick Burgess (27)16.0OAK
2004Dwight Freeney (24)16.0IND
2003Michael Strahan+ (31)18.5NYG
2002Jason Taylor+ (28)18.5MIA
2001Michael Strahan+ (29)22.5NYG
2000La'Roi Glover (26)17.0NOR
1999Kevin Carter (25)17.0STL
1998Michael Sinclair (30)16.5SEA
1997John Randle + (29)15.5MIN
1996Kevin Greene + (34)14.5CAR
1995Bryce Paup (27)17.5BUF
1994Kevin Greene + (32)14.0PIT
1993Neil Smith (27)15.0KAN
1992Clyde Simmons (28)19.0PHI
1991Pat Swilling (26)17.0NOR
1990Derrick Thomas+ (23)20.0KAN
1989Chris Doleman+ (27)21.0MIN
1988Reggie White + (26)18.0PHI
1987Reggie White + (25)21.0PHI
1986Lawrence Taylor+ (27)20.5NYG
1985Richard Dent+ (24)17.0CHI
1984Mark Gastineau (27)22.0NYJ
1983Mark Gastineau (26)19.0NYJ
1982Doug Martin (25)11.5MIN