5 ways DC Brandon Staley unlocks DT Aaron Donald potential

III: Two-man defensive fronts

One of the most unusual defensive fronts in the NFL today is the two-man defensive front. And, not coincidentally, Vic Fangio runs it to perfection. While he runs a base 3-4 defense, Fangio will toss in the 2-3 front and the 2-4 front to change up what the quarterback sees and processes.

More from Ramblin' Fan

• NFL Trade Rumors: Would Rams trade for Jonathon Taylor?
• Look for 49ers players to follow DeMeco Ryans to Texans
• Ryans to the Texans, will Rams Raheem Morris be next?
• Broncos mimic LA Rams, go All-In pairing Payton with Russell
• Need a new Los Angeles Rams hat for less than $10?

Offenses have 30 seconds from the referee signal to start the clock with which to call the offensive play, line up into formation, run their motions and read the defense, and finally snap the ball. Fangio, and now Staley, leverage that limited time to confuse the offensive personnel responsible for reading the defense.

With just two defensive linemen, blockers miscount on blocking assignments, rushers have easier routes to the quarterback, and the entire defense becomes so unpredictable that defenders play above their talent level.  The run faces swarming linebackers and defensive backs on the outside

Staley’s two-man front will depend on the incredible brute strength of Donald and perhaps either Greg Gaines or a young powerhouse out of the 2020 NFL Draft to line up on the offensive guard and play two-gap assignments in the middle of the offense.  That creates a complete mismatch for the offensive blocking assignments.  Double Donald with the center and the A-Gap opens up a huge lane for a blitzing linebacker right up the middle for a sack. Double Donald with a tackle and the edge rusher now has an inside rush route straight to the passer.