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Robert Quinn became the best player on a young and talented Rams roster last season. After tallying 19 sacks and seven forced fumbles in 2013, as well as 34.5 sacks over the last three seasons, Quinn has rightfully been crowned the most feared Rams player.
But after the current season will he remain the most feared Rams player?
Quinn has played extremely well so far in the 2014 season. Though the sack total does not reflect it (one sack in six games) Quinn has remained a force to be reckoned with. He has provided good pressure and continues his impressive and rapid growth as a run defender. So far Robert Quinn has six tackles for loss, which is tied for the fifth most in the NFL.
So make no mistake about it, Robert Quinn remains a beast of a man. But there's another dominant force in St. Louis that has been giving opponents fits.
Aaron Donald has been one of - if not the most - dominating forces in the NFL since snap one. His consistency with disruption cannot be ignored. As most of everyone knows, it takes a special kind of someone to consistently play at a high level in the physically-draining/imposing wasteland, known as the trenches.
Currently, Aaron Donald is the top rated defensive tackle in football.
FWIW, Pro Football Focus currently grades Rams' Aaron Donald (+16.5) as the top DT in the NFL. Not among rookies, among everyone.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 20, 2014
As it currently stands, Aaron Donald is ranked No.2 in run stop % and No.10 in pass rush efficiency among DT; should be candidate for #DROY
— Nathan Kearns (@nkearns12) October 20, 2014
He is tied for the third most tackles for loss in the NFL with eight. He has two sacks but with only just becoming a full time starter two games ago, one could argue that number could be higher if he had been playing as much as he has the last two games, all season.
Among DTs, rookie Aaron Donald continues to be main man in 2nd start. He was in for 51 plays or 72% of defensive snaps.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 20, 2014
Aaron Donald stat line: 5 total tackles (4 solo), sack, 3 tackles for loss and 2 QB hits.
— St. Louis Rams (@STLouisRams) October 19, 2014
With Donald only being a rookie it is understandable when the "he's only a rookie, calm down" chants flood the web. But that is exactly why his performance thus far has been so impressive. He is simply a rookie playing one of the most physical sports in the world, while playing a position which happens to be the most physically demanding. So in all fairness he deserves the praise. All of the rookie of the year hype in the preseason has looked warranted, and quite frankly, he makes it look far too easy at times....
Aaron Donald, wrecking ball. Sack number 2 comes by abusing James Carpenter https://t.co/fBG0TFLa8l
— seattlerams (@seattlerams) October 20, 2014