Best Ever? Aaron Donald Named Rams No. 1 All-Time NFL Draft Pick
Aaron Donald has long been thought of as the best player in the history of the Los Angeles Rams franchise.
Not only that, but he might be one of the biggest steals in NFL Draft history.
And with the draft just over two weeks away, Sports Illustrated examined each franchise's best all-time draft selection, picking each team's player based on overall performance rather than the draft pick's value.
With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that SI selected 2014 first-round pick Aaron Donald as the Los Angeles Rams' greatest all-time draft choice.
Aaron Donald, DT, 2014
"Donald might seem like a shortsighted choice from a historical perspective, considering the Rams also had Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen once upon a time. However, Donald has a real case as the best to ever play his position. Donald amassed Pro Bowl campaigns in each of his nine seasons with the Rams while also being named a first-team All-Pro seven times. Despite playing inside and facing constant double teams, the Pittsburgh product has 103 sacks, helping him earn three Defensive Player of the Year awards." -
Matt Verdeame
Donald was also a vital member of the 2021 Rams team that defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.
Donald sealed the game as he sacked Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow on fourth down with less than 43 seconds remaining. It was his second Super Bowl appearance as he lost Super Bowl LII 13-3 to the New England Patriots.
With an uncertain future looming, Donald looks to bounce back in 2023 after having a career-worst five sacks in 2022.
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