There’s absolutely no debate about who holds the crown as the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL. Aaron Donald is far and away the king at his position, but he’s an even better pass rusher than just about every defensive end and outside linebacker, too.
In fact, there might not be a defensive player anywhere in the league who impacts the game more than Donald does, especially when you consider his effect on quarterbacks when rushing the passer.
Pro Football Focus put into perspective just how much better Donald is than every other pass rusher, as he once again led the league in pressures. The gap between Donald and the next-closest player is massive, too.
Donald finished the year with 98 total pressures, which is 22 more than Shaq Barrett, who was second with 76. T.J. Watt had 73 pressures in 15 games, which is a big number, too, while his teammate Stephon Tuitt generated 71 total pressures.
Aaron Donald dominated opposing OLs in 2020 😤💪 pic.twitter.com/5Wj92IGXIf
— PFF (@PFF) January 5, 2021
Donald finishing first is nothing new. He did the same in 2018 with 106 total pressures, and again in 2017 with 91 pressures. The only time in the last four years that he hasn’t ranked No. 1 in total pressures was last season when Za’Darius Smith had 93; Donald had 80 to lead all interior defenders.
Yearly leaders in total pressures:
🔹 2020 – Aaron Donald: 98
🔹 2019 – Za'Darius Smith: 93
🔹 2018 – Aaron Donald: 106
🔹 2017 – Aaron Donald: 91 pic.twitter.com/JZ58QUEAIH— PFF (@PFF) January 5, 2021
When it comes to pass rushers, there’s Aaron Donald, and then there’s everyone else. And the gap might just be big enough to win him a third Defensive Player of the Year award.
