Just about everyone knows where Aaron Donald fits in with the current defensive tackles in the NFL. He’s unquestionably the best, sitting head and shoulders above the rest of the league at that position.
Where he ranks among the best defensive tackles in NFL history is another conversation and when discussing that topic, he’s often slotted among the top guys ever. With three Defensive Player of the Year awards, seven All-Pro selections and eight Pro Bowl appearances, it’s easy to see why he’s so revered as a future Hall of Famer.
After practicing against the Raiders on Wednesday, quarterback Derek Carr had some high praise for Donald.
“He’s probably the best three-technique to ever play this game,” Carr told reporters after practice. “And that’s saying a lot, but I think he’s earned that kind of respect and is starting to get in that conversation as we get older in our eighth year. And he deserves to be in that conversation, and he’s a good player.”
Game recognize game 🤝 @AaronDonald97 x @derekcarrqb pic.twitter.com/onyXIFBOK7
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 18, 2021
Donald is likely the last player any quarterback wants to face because of the way he can wreck a game plan and force an offense to completely change its approach. Wednesday was only practice, yet Carr got a firsthand look at the ability that Donald possesses.
“Obviously, AD, he can ruin practice if he wants. And there were a couple times he got back there and I had to move out of the pocket, hit the plays — scramble plays,” Carr said. “But he’s a guy that, he’s going to win.”
Carr won’t have to face Donald in the regular season this year and he’s probably secretly thankful for that, but the Raiders’ joint practices with the Rams will remind him and everyone on Las Vegas’ offense just how good the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is.
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