Ranking the top 10 defensive players in NFL history…
8. Aaron Donald
Drafted 13th overall by the St. Louis Rams in the 2014 NFL Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh, Aaron Donald quickly established himself as an elite defensive tackle, dominating despite his undersized frame for the position.
Over his entire 10-season career with the Rams (relocating to Los Angeles in 2016), Donald set franchise records and became the cornerstone of their defense.
He won three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards (2017, 2018, 2020), joining Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt as the only players to achieve this feat. His standout 2018 season featured a record 20.5 sacks for a defensive tackle, leading the league. Donald was instrumental in the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI victory in 2022, recording two sacks, including a game-clinching pressure on Joe Burrow in the 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He also reached Super Bowl LIII in 2019, though the Rams fell to the New England Patriots.
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Donald’s career totals include 543 tackles, 111 sacks, 24 forced fumbles, 21 pass deflections and seven interceptions across 154 games. He ranks among the all-time leaders for defensive tackles in sacks and was a 10-time Pro Bowler with eight First-team All-Pro selections.
Donald’s standout attributes were his explosive quickness off the line, exceptional strength and leverage technique, allowing him to overpower larger linemen. He possessed elite hand usage and agility, making him nearly unblockable one-on-one.
Donald’s playing style was disruptive and relentless: a gap penetrator who collapsed pockets, stuffed runs, and created chaos in the backfield with his speed and power.
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Retiring in 2024, at age 32, Donald’s legacy as one of the greatest defensive players is secure, with Hall of Fame induction expected in 2029.
But who ranks ahead of Donald at No. 7 all-time?