Dalvin Tomlinson
#94 DT · Arizona Cardinals
2 transactions this offseason
Height
6'3"
Weight
335 lbs
Age
32
College
Alabama
Draft
2017, Rd 2, #55
Experience
9 yrs
DT Rank
#41 / 216
D+
B
B
N/A
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The Verdict on Dalvin, in One Read
On the field, Dalvin Tomlinson grades out as a strong DT for Arizona Cardinals (B Performance). That places him 41st of 216 graded defensive tackles. The contract is harder to defend: the Contract Value Index calls it a slight overpay (D+), with the cost outrunning the output. The public read is positive (B Sentiment), drawn from current news and social signal rather than the box score.
Career StatsB
| Year | Team | GP | Sacks | Tkl | TFL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 142 | 20.0 | 368 | 48.5 |
| 2025 |  | 17 | 1.0 | 26 | 4.5 |
| 2024 |  | 16 | 3.0 | 26 | 7.5 |
| 2023 | | 16 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
Total Value
$7.5M
Guaranteed
$6.0M
AAV
$7.5M/yr
Guaranteed %80%
Contract Value Index (CVI)
D+
Below Value
OverpayFair ValueGreat Value
This signing grades out as a significant overpay for the Arizona Cardinals — the team is paying more than the on-field production currently warrants. Dalvin's on-field performance ranks in the lower half among NFL DTs, grading him as a rotational player at the position. His $6.2M average annual value ranks as below-market money for the DT market. The concern here is the gap between production and cost — rotational player output at below-market money means the team is paying a premium above the player's on-field value. Dalvin is squarely in his prime, which adds to the deal's upside — the team should get multiple productive seasons out of this contract.
Contracts in the Same Value Band
Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the D band — a quick read on where Dalvin's contract sits relative to comparable money.
Performance Analysis
B
#41 of 216 DTs
FCA+
Dalvin Tomlinson is a nine-year veteran nose tackle whose career has been built on disciplined gap control and run-stopping reliability rather than pass-rush flash. Earning a B overall grade, he remains a functional interior anchor for Arizona's defense, though his best days appear to be behind him. Among veteran defensive tackles, he profiles as a capable depth piece rather than a cornerstone starter at this stage. His tackle rate of 1.53 per game sits near the NFL average of 1.82, reflecting consistent positional integrity without elite production. His TFL rate of 0.26 per game essentially mirrors the league average of 0.27, confirming he disrupts blockers without consistently finishing plays behind the line. The bigger concern is his pass-rush impact — 0.06 sacks per game and 0.18 QB hits per game both trail the NFL averages of 0.14 and 0.29 respectively, limiting his value on obvious passing downs. The trajectory here warrants serious attention. Tomlinson graded out at C+ in 2023, improved to a B- in 2024, but has slid sharply to a D in 2025, suggesting age-related decline is accelerating rather than stabilizing. At 32 with 142 career games logged, his role may narrow to a situational run-stopper as Arizona evaluates younger interior options. Watch for whether the Cardinals extend his role or quietly transition him toward a rotational mentorship position heading into next offseason.
Performance vs. NFL Position Average
Sacks/Game0.06
Below AvgNFL Avg: 0.14 · Elite: 0.42
How Dalvin Compares at the Position
Dalvin Tomlinson ranks 41st of 216 graded defensive tackles by performance. That slots Dalvin between Jordan Davis (B) just ahead and Poona Ford (B) just behind.
Graded higher
Jordan DavisPhiladelphia EaglesBWalter Nolen IiiArizona CardinalsBDaquan JonesBuffalo BillsBDalvin TomlinsonB
Graded lower
Poona FordLos Angeles RamsFan Sentiment
B
Positive
NegativeNeutralPositive
Chargers add a reliable defensive line contributor in free agency. Five headlines confirm media attention; this is a meaningful depth move, not flashy. Tomlinson provides proven run-defense experience at a reasonable cost. Fans view this as smart, under-the-radar roster building for 2024. Los Angeles strengthens interior line depth ahead of the regular season.
📰5 news💭1 ai_analysis
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About this player
Dalvin Tomlinson is a veteran in his 9th NFL season listed at DT for the Arizona Cardinals. FanVerdicts covers every NFL player, team, GM, and transaction — and puts your verdict on all of it. Sign in to cast your Fan Verdict on Dalvin Tomlinson, see where the crowd lands, and argue the call. FanVerdicts also brings its own read — performance, sentiment, and Contract Value Index — as one honest input alongside the crowd's. Where FanVerdicts has weighed in so far: Contract Value Index D+, Performance B, Sentiment B.
The crowd's Fan Verdict moves in real time as fans vote on this profile. FanVerdicts' own read updates as new data lands — performance recalculates when NFL game stats post, sentiment shifts with media coverage and fan discussion, and the Contract Value Index recomputes when contract terms change. Contract details below show the structure (years, total value, average annual value, guarantees) behind the Contract Value Index read.
For league-wide context, the NFL hub has team rankings, GM report cards, the transactions feed, and live scoreboards. The NFL player rankings page sorts every active player by performance and contract value within their position.
