Aaron Donald wins 2020 Defensive Player of the Year
DPOY #DPOY
For the third time in four seasons, Aaron Donald has been named AP Defensive Player of the Year. This is the official award recognized by the league and is voted on by a panel of 50 media members who cover the NFL. The award was announced at Saturday’s NFL Honors show.
Donald joins Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt as the only players to win the award three times in their career. Taylor won it in 1981, 1982 and 1986, while Watt’s selections were in a four-year span like Donald (2012, 2014, 2015).
Although it wasn’t his best statistical season in the NFL, Donald was once again a force on the Rams’ defensive line. He finished tied for second in the league with 13.5 sacks, was tied for sixth with 14 tackles for loss, hit the quarterback 28 times (T-4th) and led the league with 98 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
Donald was the Rams’ primary source of pressure on quarterbacks, but he was also outstanding against the run. As he always does, Donald found ways to slip into opposing backfields despite being double- and triple-teamed often. In fact, he was doubled more than 70% of the time when he rushed the passer.
In his career, Donald now has 85.5 sacks, 131 tackles for loss, 201 quarterback hits and 19 forced fumbles. He’s a six-time first-team All-Pro selection in just seven seasons, becoming the first player to be an All-Pro in six straight seasons since Reggie White (1986-1991). Only 24 players in NFL history have more All-Pro selections than Donald thus far and he’s only played seven years.
Jalen Ramsey reacted to Donald’s win, simply tweeting a goat emoji, signifying he’s the greatest to do it.
T.J. Watt, who Donald beat out for the award, tweeted this after not winning Defensive Player of the Year. He led the league in sacks, tackles for loss and QB hits.
If Donald retired today, he’d unquestionably be a Pro Football Hall of Famer, and would probably be a first-ballot selection. This is just the latest accomplishment on his decorated resume.
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