If you were to ask offensive linemen in the NFL what player they have the least amount of fun playing against, many would likely say Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams. Ahead of his 10th season in the league, The 33rd Team’s Paul Burmeister and Charles Davis ranked Donald as the third-most intimidating player in the NFL.
The only two players ranked ahead of Donald were Tyreek Hill and Patrick Mahomes. It should be noted that Mahomes recently name-dropped Donald without any hesitancy when speaking about the toughest players he’s faced in the NFL.
Burmeister and Davis’ reasoning for ranking Donald third stemmed from the murmurs of his decline entering his age-32 season. The All-Pro interior defender had a down year in 2022 due to an ankle injury and some believe that he’s no longer the same player that won three Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Throughout his legendary career, Donald has proven to be a menacing defender that wreaks havoc on opposing offenses. Once Donald locks in during a game, there isn’t much teams can do to slow him down.
While many may be preparing for the downfall of Donald, he still instills fear in opposing players and he’ll be motivated to show that he still has plenty left in the tank in 2023.