5 ways DC Brandon Staley unlocks DT Aaron Donald potential

Primetime

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald is human, after all. He stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 280-pounds. And at the age of 28, he is hitting his NFL prime time for play.  In 2019, he has been the Rams’ best defender in so many ways. So talented in fact, that the 2020 Rams’ free agents entering the marketplace face the unanswered question for their 2019 success. Was it all them, or did those players simply benefit by playing near on in the shadow of Donald?

Perhaps it’s a bit of both. And in the face of the LA Rams defense possibility of playing without OLB Dante Fowler Jr., ILB Cory Littleton, DE Michael Brockers, ILB Bryce Hager, and retired safety Eric Weddle, there is some comfort knowing that the Rams top defender will show up in 2020. After all, how bad can the Rams defense get with Aaron Donald continuing to pressure the quarterback, stuff runners, and split double-team blockers?

If the Rams cannot afford to buy the talent worthy of lining up next to Donald, the next best thing is to coach defensive schemes that will unleash the full talent of Aaron Donald. And that is why the Rams have moved towards DC Brandon Staley.

Staley has been un understudy to NFL defensive legend Vic Fangio, and as such has adopted the “disguised defense” philosophy.  It’s that willingness to show one defensive play but act in a different manner, which will be the key to getting the most out of Aaron Donald. What might that be? Here are five options for Staley to use, all from his mentor, the Vic Fangio house of defenses.