Not Aaron Donald, though? Not a problem, based on the most recent rankings
According to Pro Football Focus’ most recent defensive line rankings, the Los Angeles Rams are ranked 23rd. It makes sense at first look. There are probably two second-year players and three rookies on the team’s defensive line. Above all, Aaron Donald should not be allowed.
Rams-dom was in disarray following the eventual Hall of Famer’s retirement. It is difficult to envision what this defense would look like without Donald, who for the last ten seasons was such an amazing force at defensive tackle for the Rams. Reactions to it range from “a seismic this changes everything” shock wave to “an irreplaceable loss that can only be offset by multiple players.”
However, a review of PFF’s past opinions of the 2023 Rams defensive line shows that, even with Donald, they were never fans of the Rams defensive line. In that year, they put them only one place higher, at 22nd.
“The Rams might not have been inside the top 30 on our list if it weren’t for Aaron Donald, but even the three-time Defensive Player of the Year couldn’t raise this team’s ranking.
This past season, Donald achieved a PFF overall grade of above 90.0 for the ninth time in his nine-year career; nevertheless, after seven seasons at the top, he lost his position as the highest-graded inside defender.
The Rams don’t have much to offer on defense outside of him, but they will be hopeful that at least one or two of the five defensive lineman they drafted this year can step up in 2023.