Rams' Aaron Donald Facing 'Slight Decline': Still Best DT?

Aaron Donald is still widely regarded as the best defensive tackle, even after the disastrous Los Angeles Rams' 2022 season.

Jeremy Brener | Jul 9, 2023

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Los Angeles Rams

Aaron Donald is hoping to have more of a season like 2021 than 2022 for the upcoming season.

In 2021, Donald played all 17 games and recorded 12 sacks as the Los Angeles Rams won the Super Bowl. But in 2022, Donald wasn't healthy, missing six games and recording just five sacks as the Rams looked like a shell of their former self.

Even though Donald had arguably his worst NFL season to date, ESPN still says that he is the best defensive tackle in the league.

"I would say a slight decline -- not much, he's still the best," a scout said via ESPN. "Some of that is a byproduct of what's around him -- neither side of the ball was as good for the Rams last year."

In order for the Rams to improve this season, Donald will need to play better. However, having the best defensive tackle in the league can make things easier, and more will have to be done outside the position in order for Los Angeles to get closer to where it was when it hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.

Donald and the Rams are set to report to training camp on July 25.

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Published Jul 9, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.