1. Aaron Donald
Team: Los Angeles Rams
Position: DT
Experience: 5 Years
After the month long countdown, it is finally the pinnacle of the SneakerReporter Top 30 list. At this point you could probably figure out who was #1 after the reveal of Bears Khalil Mack at #2. Aaron Donald embodies everything you need in a leader and star football player. It starts with his unmatched work ethic and his continued improvement throughout his five years in the league. Just one of his off season workouts will prove to you how gifted he is athletically.
Donald played his college ball at the University of Pittsburgh, electing to stay for all four years. Very wise on his behalf, as his senior year performance would skyrocket his draft stock into the top half of the first round, after initialing not being seen as that type of talent. During his 2013 senior season, Donald received five different awards such as the Vince Lombardi Award and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He was also recognized as a consensus All American.
Heading into the draft, the only blemish on Donald’s stock was his lacking size. Prototypical Defensive Tackles stand taller and heavier than Donald, as Scouts claimed: “Marginal height and frame is nearly maxed out…Overpowered in the run game and ground up by double teams”(NFL.com). The scouts didn’t know that Aaron Donald was creating a new prototype. He is the needle in the haystack, and because of his success, he could have altered the Defensive Tackle position for the next generation.
Donald’s NFL introduction was something you wouldn’t wish upon your worst enemy, as Jeff Fisher had the Franchise going backwards. Even with horrific management, Donald found a way to make his presence known. He played in all 16 games his rookie season, starting in 12 of them. He recorded 9.0 sacks, 2 FF, and found his way to the Pro-Bowl. That’s a fantastic start for anyone’s career, but Donald wasn’t satisfied.
He came back to his sophomore season with even more flare, increasing his numbers in every single defensive category. He reached double digit sacks with 11.0 and had a ridiculous 37 QB hits, compared to his 13 as a rookie. He earned his first All-Pro recognition in his second year, and hasn’t missed one since. Donald continued to bloom into a superstar over the next two seasons, but 2018 solidified his greatness in NFL history. Last season, he led the league with 20.5 sacks. This number made him the new all time leader in sacks for his position over a season. Aaron Donald is reshaping the mold for prototypical interior linemen, and his play over the last 5 seasons has earned him the top spot on the NFL SneakerReporter Top 30.
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