Superstar defensive tackle Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Detroit Lions in Week 13, clinching the NFC West for the second straight year in the process. It marks the first time the Rams have won back-to-back division titles since 1978 and 1979. Sean McVay has this group of players playing at a high-level late in the season.
There are only four weeks remaining before the playoffs, which means the MVP discussion is ramping up. Is it Patrick Mahomes? Should Drew Brees get his elusive first MVP? Those quarterbacks are basically the only two players fans and members of the media mention when talking about their personal MVP candidates.
In an offensive driven league, the MVP award almost always falls into the hands of an offensive player, usually a quarterback. While it's unlikely, Donald deserves a shot at the prestigious award. He has the stats and theatrics to make the case, even for a defensive player.
It's tough for a defender to be mentioned in the MVP conversation when so many quarterbacks are having huge years. There are 11 quarterbacks in the NFL that currently have 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. A few are on pace to throw for 5,000 or more yards and 40+ touchdowns.
This makes the climb up the MVP ladder even more difficult for Donald. Still, there are three reasons he should be considered as a MVP candidate, regardless of what all the quarterbacks do over these final four weeks of the regular season.
3. Donald is Having a Historic Season
We've seen a ton of impressive seasons from quarterbacks over the years, leading to them winning the MVP nearly every season. At this point, a great year from a quarterback with him winning MVP is becoming too repetitive—especially when there are other position players having phenomenal seasons.
Crazy enough, the Rams could have three MVP candidates at year's end. Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, and Donald are all lighting it up this season—hence why Los Angeles is 11-1. What makes Donald's season even more impressive is the fact he is doing what he does as a defensive tackle.
Through 13 weeks, Donald leads the NFL with 16.5 sacks. That puts him four sacks ahead of the Denver Broncos' Von Miller—a pass-rushing outside linebacker. There's no defensive player that can match Donald's dominance.
.@AaronDonald97 is VERY good at football. pic.twitter.com/QwxKHf7Fg1
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 20, 2018
Donald is just 6.5 sacks away from surpassing the NFL's single-season sack record, completed by Michael Strahan—a defensive end—in 2001. With four games left, Donald has a legitimate chance to surpass Strahan's mark.
Donald is also just two sacks away from holding the single-season sack record for a defensive tackle, which belongs to Keith Millard with 18 sacks for the Minnesota Vikings in 1989. If Donald breaks the sack record, it'll be tough to hold him out of the MVP conversation.
2. Aaron Donald is the Best Player on the Best Team
The best team—record wise—is the Los Angeles Rams, standing at 11-1. No other team can say they clinched their division 13 weeks in like the Rams can. One of the biggest reasons for their utter dominance is Aaron Donald.
Mahomes has the Kansas City Chiefs sitting at 10-2 after Week 13. The thing is, Donald's Rams defeated the Chiefs in a game where Donald had two strip sacks on Mahomes.
On a team full of unbelievable talent, Donald is the best player on the Rams' deep roster. Just ask any of the Rams players who the best player on the team is. The vote would be unanimous for Donald.
Even Gurley himself—the best running back in the NFL—has reiterated the fact that Donald is the Rams' best player. That's high praise coming from a guy who won Offensive Player of the Year award just last season.
"@AaronDonald97—hands down best player in the league. No doubt about it." – @TG3II
Is Todd Gurley correct? Find out Monday night when #1 is revealed! 💯#NFLTop100 @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/BIANWKamQM
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) June 23, 2018
The Rams offense has been remarkable, but Donald has been the lone consistent force on the defense. Without Donald, this defense wouldn't be nearly as effective as they currently are. The second-leading player in sacks on the Rams currently has just four.
1. Why Not Give it to a Defensive Player for Once?
Over the course of NFL history, there have been just two defensive players to win the MVP award: Lawrence Taylor in 1986 and Alan Page in 1971. Where's the love for defensive players?
Donald is solidifying himself as one of the best players at his position in NFL history with how he has played this season and over the span of his short career. Not many defensive tackles can dominate the way he can at rushing the passer.
There aren't many defensive tackles that can also say they are THE best player on an 11-1 team. Donald is double-teamed on around 70% of the snaps he plays, which is absurd compared to the rest of the league. The dude is a wrecking ball in the trenches, making offensive lineman look like rag-dolls.
https://twitter.com/takeyourbasepod/status/1069332367494602752
On Sunday, Donald became just the fifth defensive tackle to record 15 sacks in a season, joining Keith Millard, John Randle, La'Roi Glover and Warren Sapp. What else needs to be said to prove this guy belong at the same table as Brees and Mahomes?
The MVP will likely go to a quarterback—yet again—but if the award was reserved for a non-quarterback it would be Donald's hands down.
Donald took home the Defensive Player of the Year Award last season, but he has his eyes set on the MVP this year. We will see where he stands when the season ends, at least cementing his name in the discussion.
Follow Us
Subscribe