10 defensive players to watch in 2020
1. Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
In 2014, the then St. Louis Rams selected Aaron Donald out of Pittsburgh with the 13th pick. In his rookie year, he racked up nine sacks, made the Pro Bowl and won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. He kicked off his NFL career rather nicely.
Donald continued to ascend towards the top of the NFL, and he quickly became the most outstanding defensive player in the league. During his first three seasons, he made three Pro Bowls, achieved All-Pro status twice, and collected 28.0 sacks in 48 games.
In 2017, Donald won the front end of his back-to-back AP Defensive Player of the Year awards with 11.0 sacks. Then, the next year, he rattled off 20.5 sacks and 41 quarterback hits. An absolute force generating pressure from the interior part of the line.
Donald has so much value for that reason. He penetrates and breaks down pockets from the tackle position while fighting double-teams most of the time, which is such an underrated ability. While most of the game’s best pass rushers fire off the edge, Donald burst through the inside and blows plays up before they begin.
This former first-round pick is not only the best defensive linemen in the NFL, but he is also the best defensive player. He embodies the term game wrecker in every sense, and he inflicts tons of stress on opposing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators.
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As the case has been since 2014, you need to sit down and watch Donald play.