In 2013, Hatcher was set to play at the one-technique left defensive tackle position in the team's new 4-3 defense, but Jay Ratliff allegedly never recovered from his injuries and later forced his release from the team. He would end up starting 15 games as the three-technique right defensive tackle and showing a dominant play, while finishing a career-year with 48 tackles (7 for loss), 11 sacks (most by a Cowboys’ defensive tackle since Randy White 12.5 in 1984), 33 quarterback pressures and being named to the Pro Bowl as a replacement for an injured Haloti Ngata.