Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was named the 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year and his second NFL season got off to a rousing start in the team’s 34-31 overtime win over the Seahawks.
Donald overwhelmed the Seahawks trying to block him last Sunday on the way to nine tackles, two sacks, three tackles for losses and three hits on quarterback Russell Wilson. One of those tackles came on the final play of the game when Donald and fellow tackle Michael Brockers collapsed the middle of the Seattle line and dropped Marshawn Lynch short of a first down on fourth-and-one.
As a result of those efforts, Donald has been named the first NFC Defensive Player of the Week for the 2015 season. It’s the first time that Donald has received the honor, but the start of his career suggests that more accolades will be coming his way as long as he’s healthy enough to remain in the lineup.
Donald anchors a defensive line that is as good as any in the NFL right now. Should the Rams make sustained strides on offense this season, that line could be at the forefront of a bid for a playoff spot in the NFC.