When it comes to the best defensive players in NFL history, most people put Lawrence Taylor in a class of his own. Bill Belichick always holds him in the highest regard, as do coaches who had the chance to work with him.
Aaron Donald isn’t quite on Taylor’s level, but he’s receiving comparisons to the Hall of Famer. John Randle said Donald can “change the game” like Taylor and now Justin Pugh of the Cardinals is saying the same thing.
Pugh had some high praise for Donald, having faced him multiple times.
“There’s a category of D-linemen who’s the best. There’s every other guy, and then there’s Aaron Donald,” Pugh said. “Even Fletcher Cox, and Fletcher Cox is very, very good. He’s a Pro Bowl, All-Pro. Aaron Donald is like a change-the-game type of player. He’s a Lawrence Taylor of our time. when have you ever seen – Warren Sapp, maybe – (a player who) would change the game on the inside?”
The comparisons and high praise just keep coming for Donald. Former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden called him “the most disruptive player since Lawrence Taylor” a few weeks ago, too, adding to the growing list of compliments.
Donald has a long way to go, but he’s looking more and more like a surefire Hall of Famer when his career comes to a close.
