Spotlighting LA Rams Aaron Donald effect on defense

As the LA Rams reform their defense in a strange new environment, the Aaron Donald effect is a constant for their defense

The LA Rams lost over ten players to expired contracts in 2020, most of whom were starters or significant contributors on defense. The Rams lost starting linebackers Clay Matthews, Bryce Hager, Cory Littleton, and Dante Fowler Jr. The team lost safety Eric Weddle and slot cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman. And the team lost depth contributors in DE Morgan Fox and OLB Josh Carraway. All the while, the team did not panic.

As the Rams free agency began, the team signed OLB Leonard Floyd, NT A’Shawn Robinson, and even had the good fortune of bringing back veteran DL Michael Brockers.  Still, the team did not flinch.

In the 2020 NFL Draft, the LA Rams added OLB Terrell Lewis, S/CB hybrid Terrell Burgess, S Jordan Fuller, and LB Clay Johnston. Two of the rookies could earn a starting role on the team, while all four will likely have contributing roles to the defense in 2020.  Even with the onboarding of new talent, the team did not flinch.

Confidence is important for a young team

Thank All-Pro Aaron Donald for the team’s confidence. Of all the players on the Rams team, Aaron Donald is the one player whose performance elevates the play of his teammates. Consistently. So much so that veteran players who sign with the Rams are eager to talk about an opportunity to play alongside Donald, even before taking a single snap.

It makes sense, and not in some hero-worship sort of angle here. NFL players respect excellence. No NFL player has more of a complete game on defense that that of Aaron Donald right now. But that is not all. Much of the interest to play alongside double and triple-teamed Donald is the almost guarantee of facing fewer NFL blockers.

Lead by example

And then, there are the statistics. The accumulation of data which provides tangible evidence that Donald is outperforming his contemporary peers.  In short, Donald is kicking ass and taking names. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that defense?

As the NFL prepares for the 2020 season, there is almost nothing the opposing team can do to prepare to face Aaron Donald. He simply is a force who will get his.

Playing in the shadow of a giant

The LA Rams parted ways with a number of defensive players who signed significant contracts to play elsewhere in the NFL.  The question becomes, can they be effective outside of Aaron Donald’s shadow?  That’s not to slight them, but rather point out the effect Donald has on his teammates.  Likewise, do players arriving to play alongside face a down year, or will those players play at or nearly at their career-best on the Rams’ defense alongside Donald?

We’d talked about how the LA Rams may move Aaron Donald around on the defensive line to maximize his ability to sack the quarterback in 2020. But we didn’t fully discuss just how powerful his presence on the defense is for his teammates. The 2020 version of the LA Rams defense suddenly became much younger. Now, those young talented players will have the opportunity to learn NFL defense in the shadows of one of the NFL’s greatest modern-day players.

I do not believe there is a better defensive player in the NFL today. 2020 may be the crowning jewel of LA Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald’s career. If he sustains or improves his production surrounded by younger unfamiliar players, that will certainly punctuate his eventual nomination to the NFL’s HOF portfolio. One more tidbit to track this year.