Los Angeles Rams star defensive lineman Aaron Donald has long been viewed as one of the best players on not only that side of the football, but in the entire sport. That’s evidenced by his Hall of Fame worthy resume, compiling three Defensive Player of the Year awards, seven All-Pro first teams, nine Pro Bowl selections and the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in his 10 seasons of work.
Donald is nothing short of elite, and even coming off of his worst season — a year in which he was not named to an All-Pro team due to missing six games to injury — he is still widely viewed as one of the game’s best players. He’s even viewed that way among other players.
The 2023 edition of the anonymous NFL players’ poll was unveiled on Tuesday, where 84 players anonymously answered the same slate of questions ranging through a variety of topics league-wide. But perhaps the most important question involves who the players feel is the best among them.
And while Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes ran away with the honors, it was Donald who finished in second place, via The Athletic:
That said, more than half of the 84 respondents to this question went a different direction, with Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald earning runner-up honors.
“It’s self-explanatory on that one. No one can stop him,” offered one player.
Donald received 8.9% of the vote from the 84 respondents, the second-highest total behind the whopping 46.4% given to Mahomes. This translates to 7.5 players, as players were allowed to give two answers resulting in a half-point for each.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill finished in third with 7.7%, followed by Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett (7.1%), Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (6%), Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (3.6%) and San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams all with 2.4%.
Other unnamed players received 13.1% of the vote. But it’s Donald — the 10-year Rams superstar and no-doubt Hall of Famer — who is still getting the love from his peers in the NFL.
McVay credits defense for win over Seahawks
The Rams defeated the Seattle Seahawks in a come-from-behind victory to claw back into the bottom of the postseason picture. After the game, Rams head coach Sean McVay credited the defense for their efforts.
“Unbelievable effort by our defense today,” McVay said. “They kept us in the game and I thought it was key and critical for the offense to be able to get into a rhythm when they had to. Would’ve loved to have been able to punch that last in instead of having to kick the field goal where you’re forcing them to have to go get a touchdown at the end there.
“But man, I’m just so proud of this group. I think the grit was on display, the mental toughness, the ability to get stops, the ability to be able to feed off of one another. Really happy for our group and happy for those players and the coaches did a great job.”
