Who Leads the NFL in Interceptions this Year?

 Entering Week 15, Seattle rookie Tariq Woolen joins Philadelphia’s C.J. Gardner-Johnson at the top of the leaderboard with six interceptions.  

Who Leads the NFL in Interceptions This Year?

C.J. Gardner-Johnson earned his league-leading sixth interception against the Commanders in Week 10. The safety acquired from the Saints had a massive two-interception game in Week 6 against the Cowboys and earned his first pick in Week 5 against the Cardinals. 

Tariq Woolen continues to make a case for Defensive Rookie of the Year. In Week 13, he broke the Seahawks’ rookie interception record, earning his sixth pick against the Los Angeles Chargers. The cornerback is having a breakout season and has shown immense potential for his future in the league. 

Harrison Smith recorded his fifth interception and 34th career interception in Week 13 against the Jets. The Vikings’ vet is now the career interception leader among all active players in the league. 

Jaire Alexander earned his fourth interception against the Bears in Week 13. The pick allowed Green Bay to build on their 13-point comeback and take control of the game. 

Vonn Bell picked off Browns’ receiver Amari Cooper for his fourth interception of the season in Week 8. It was Cooper’s first career pass attempt on a failed trick play that resulted in the pick. Bell added his third interception during Week 5’s loss to the Ravens. In Week 4, he had a massive two-interception game to lift the Bengals to a win over the Dolphins.   

Minkah Fitzpatrick notched his fourth pick against the Falcons in Week 13. He had the opportunity to earn his fifth as time expired, but he irritated fantasy managers with his choice not to. Fitzpatrick picked off quarterback Matt Ryan in the final minute of play with a clear path to the end zone for the pick-six. Instead of trying to score, he jogged out of bounds to end the game in victory formation. 

Talanoa Hufanga intercepted a Justin Herbert pass to clinch the 49ers’ victory over the Chargers in Week 10. In Week 7, he became the first 49er to record three-or-more interceptions through seven games of a season since Richard Sherman in 2019. 

Eddie Jackson was named team captain in Week 8 for a good reason. The defensive powerhouse earned four interceptions through eight games, a considerable improvement after failing to record a single interception in 2020 or 2021. 

Jordan Poyer recorded two back-to-back interceptions in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens. He played a vital role in the Bills’ comeback win, helping to erase a 17-point deficit with two game-changing touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The win was his first career multi-interception game and earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. 

Marcus Williams suffered a wrist injury on October 9 against the Bengals that caused him to miss five games. He earned an interception in his first game off injured reserve, picking off Steelers’ Mitch Trubisky at the one-yard line. In Week 2, he picked off Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa twice in the first half, becoming the first Raven to record three interceptions in the first two games. Williams is in his sixth NFL season and his first with Baltimore.