/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65017667/usa_today_13170827.0.jpg)
How?
How do you begin to put words to what Los Angeles Rams DL Aaron Donald does on the field?
The superlatives and accolades are getting overwhelming. Five seasons. Five Pro Bowls. Four first-team All-Pros. Two consecutive Defensive Player of the Years. NFL Top 100 #1.
Roster Battle
.
Expectations.
Whew.
Chances of making the roster (10/10)
A year ago this time, talking about Aaron Donald was about one thing. Locking him up on a contract extension to keep him a Ram for years to come. The Rams did just that (ALTHOUGH WHY THE HELL DID IT TAKE SO LONG).
Now, the conversation about Donald should revolve around two factors: his peak and his legacy.
For the former, it’s both a discussion that should ask what his peak looks like (could he have an even better 2019 than 2018?) and how long it might last. Donald is now 28-years old and headed into his sixth season. The three best defensive tackled of the last 20 years (Warren Sapp, John Randle and Cortez Kennedy) all saw their career peaks extended beyond Year 6. So there’s not a lot of reason to expect Donald to fall off any time soon.
For the latter, it’s one that while still under development is cementing itself pretty quickly. We’re talking about a Hall of Famer. In his prime. That’s rare.
Enjoy it for all it’s worth, Rams fans.
And be thankful.