What if…? LA Rams Aaron Donald does indeed make good on threats to retire?

Free-agent DL option II

While former Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Star Lotulelei will never be confused with Aaron Donald, there are some aspects of his play that do make him a suitable patch for the LA Rams defensive line in a pinch. For starters, he is a 6-foot-2 315-pound fireplug of a defensive lineman. While he has played defensive tackle in an even front, he has the chops to slide into multiple roles along an odd defensive front as well.

He has primarily been a starter in his career, finally adapting to a rotational role with the Buffalo Bills in 2021. Despite a reduced role in terms of defensive snaps, Lotulelei was every bit as effective for the Buffalo Bills. Does that mean that he is not worth the trouble to kick the tires?

The Aaron Donald-less effect?

I think the opposite is true, to be honest. He is a veteran who still has plenty of pop on the football field. Much like A’Shawn Robinson, I can see the Rams’ holistic approach that enables veterans to prolong their NFL careers by managing nutrition, exercise, hydration, and sleep resulting in a strong therapeutic effect on Lotulelei’s on-field production.

We tend to lump all of the contributing factors that have a positive effect on defenders’ production under the Aaron Donald effect umbrella. But I suspect that the better performance of players includes great coaching by DL Coach Eric Henderson, great feedback to players in terms of what they need to do to prepare their body for optimal football performance, and the overall culture of the LA Rams team as having a significant say. And I think those forces can have a similar impact on Star Lotulelei in 2022.