Aaron Donald, a man on the Mount Rushmore of Defensive Tackles, dominated from his first NFL snap in 2014 to his last one in 2023.
Drafted 10th Overall from Pittsburgh by the St. Louis Rams, Donald was incredibly difficult to counter. Blessed with an explosive first step off the snap, Donald could overpower any offensive lineman but was equally gifted in swimming and maneuvering past them. Donald was best known for his pass rush, but his run defence was equally effective. He won the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014, made the Pro Bowl, and was about to become the best defensive player in the game.
From 2015 to 2021, Donald had one of the most dominating runs of a player, regardless of position. He was named the Defensive Player of the Year three times, and in the seasons he didn’t win, he was a top-five finisher. Named a First Team All-Pro in all of those campaigns, Donald twice led the league in Tackles for Loss (2018 & 2019), Sacks once (2018), and Approximate Value once (2020). This stretch of destruction was punctuated by a Super Bowl win over Cincinnati.
Donald played two more seasons, added a seventh First Team All-Pro and went out on top in 2023. He left the gridiron with an extraordinary Approximate Value of 153 in 154 Games, 111 Sacks, 176 Tackles for Loss and 260 Quarterback Hits.
Donald will be a no-brainer for Canton in 2029.