Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
Aaron Donald is listed as a defensive tackle, though we can consider him a pass-rusher for a more accurate description.
Since his 2014 rookie campaign, Donald ranks second among linemen in sacks (72). Only Chandler Jones, who’s primarily an edge-rusher, ranks ahead of him. More impressively, the five-time All-Pro led the category (20.5) in 2018.
He shows his dominance against the run as well, busting up plays in the backfield. He’s recorded the most tackles for loss in each of the past two terms.
Oftentimes, Donald takes on two 300-plus-pound offensive linemen simultaneously. Through Week 8 of 2018, he had the highest double-team rate, per Next Gen Stats (h/t Rams play-by-play announcer J.B. Long).
Last year, former Rams safety Eric Weddle explained how Donald elevates the talent around him, per ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry.
“A.D. creates so much emphasis, double-teams, triple-teams, the linerunning backs chipping through that,” Weddle said. “That’s huge opportunities for [Michael Brockers], for [Dante Fowler Jr.], for Samson [Ebukam], like all these guys are going to have opportunities every game thatyou can’t just sleep on the other guy now.”
Cam Heyward provides a strong push on the interior, logging 29 sacks since 2017, though he doesn’t garner Donald’s rate of double-teams. In 2019, the 31-year-old had one of the lowest frequencies, per Next Gen Stats (h/t ESPN’s Seth Walder).
Donald’s presence changes the opponent’s game plan.
Honorable Mention: Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
