Fansided

30 highest-paid NFL players on their current contracts

By Rucker Haringey

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 03: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs yells out against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 3, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 03: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs yells out against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 3, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams waits for the start of play during a 34-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

23. Aaron Donald

It’s hard to call anyone making $22.5 million in a single season a bargain, but the label applies to Donald. The Rams front office looks smart for inking arguably the NFL’s most disruptive defender to a six-year, $135 million deal before the 2018 season.

The only risk in the deal from Los Angeles’ point of view is that it runs through Donald’s age-33 season. Nothing about his performance to date makes it seem like age-related regression is coming. The fact that he began the year by notching three sacks in his first five games makes it clear that he’s still a dominating defensive lineman.

Part of what makes Donald so exceptional is that he’s a standout pass rusher and run defender. The Rams generally line him up on the inside where his combination of power and quickness overwhelms offensive guards and centers.

Donald routinely brushes off double teams like they aren’t even there. He’s making a ton of money and he deserves every penny. The Rams’ front office has no complaints about this deal.

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