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Los Angeles Rams Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald Named Pro Bowl Captain

By Blaine Grisak

Nov 15, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) is introduced to the crowd prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at the Edward Jones Dome. The Bears won the game 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) is introduced to the crowd prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at the Edward Jones Dome. The Bears won the game 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /
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After having one of the greatest seasons by a Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle, Aaron Donald has been named a captain of the 2016 NFL Pro Bowl. Donald will join Geno Atkins of the Cincinnati Bengals, Odell Beckham Jr of the New York Giants, and Devonta Freeman of the Atlanta Falcons.

This will be Donald’s second Pro Bowl as he made the all-star in his rookie season as well. He will be joined by fellow teammate, punter Johnny Hekker, who will also be going to his second Pro Bowl. Hekker led the NFL in gross punting average with 47.9 yards, net punting average with 43.7 yards, and punts downed inside the opponents’ 20 yard-line with 41.

Donald had a fantastic 2015 NFL season accumulating 11 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, 49 quarterback pressures and 29 quarterback hits, not to mention earning Associated Press first-team All-Pro honors for the first of what could be many times.

Drafted 13th overall by the Rams in the 2014 NFL draft, Donald has turned out to be quite the steal. He has only played two seasons and yet is widely considered one of, if not the top defender in league. In fact, Pro Football Focus named Donald THE top defender above Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt.

The Rams defensive tackle amassed the greatest season ever graded on Pro Football Focus  surpassing some historic seasons from Watt. He may not win defensive player of the year just for the fact that Watt is a more popular player and is on a team that made the postseason, but there isn’t a lot that separates the two defensive linemen.

The NFL Pro Bowl will take place on January 31st at 4:oo PM PT at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii. This will be the third year in the new Pro Bowl format meaning the teams will be led by Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin.

Being a captain, Donald will help determine rosters for Team Irvin and Team Rice during the Pro Bowl Draft which will take place on January 27 at 4:30 PM ET.

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