Aaron Donald has been in the NFL since 2014, spanning seven full seasons as a pro. In each of those seven seasons, he’s been voted a Pro Bowler – quite the feat for the Rams defensive tackle.
Even more impressive than that, though, are Donald’s six first-team All-Pro selections. On Friday, the Associated Press announced that Donald has been voted a unanimous first-team All-Pro selection, extending his remarkable streak of being selected to six years.
That puts him in elite company, accomplishing something not done since Hall of Famer Reggie White. White was the last player to be named a first-team All-Pro in six consecutive seasons, doing so in 1986-1991.
Rams' DT Aaron Donald has made his 6th straight All-Pro 1st team, becoming the 1st player to do so since Reggie White accomplished the feat from 1986-1991.
Since joining the league in 2014, Donald has led the NFL in Sacks (85.5), QB hits (200), and Tackles For Loss (131). pic.twitter.com/1UEwMm30uY
— Fifth Quarter Stats (@FQStats) January 8, 2021
There isn’t a single player in the NFL right now with more first-team All-Pro selections than Donald. Only Bobby Wagner, who has been selected six times, as well, matches Donald’s total. J.J. Watt is close behind with five selections, followed by a host of others tied at four.
In NFL history, only 24 players have more All-Pro selections than Donald. Twelve players were selected seven times, another eight were named eight times, two were nine-time All-Pros, and Jerry Rice and Jim Otto are tied for the most in NFL history with 10 first-team All-Pro honors.
Of course, Donald has only played seven seasons, so it’s reasonable to think he’ll finish his career with at least eight or nine All-Pro selections. Of the 24 players with more All-Pro selections, all but one is a Pro Football Hall of Famer: Peyton Manning, who’s a finalist this year.
In Rams history, no player has more All-Pro selections than Donald, who just broke a tie with Merlin Olsen, Jack Youngblood, Deacon Jones and Riley Matheson.
Matheson is the only player in that group who isn’t a Hall of Famer.
Most First-Team All-Pro Honors@RamsNFL History@AaronDonald97 – 6 (in a row)
Merlin Olsen – 5*
Jack Youngblood – 5*
Deacon Jones – 5*
Riley Matheson – 5*Pro Football Hall of Fame pic.twitter.com/Qk1IEzrc7b
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) January 8, 2021
If Donald retired next week, there’d be no debate about whether he’s a Hall of Famer. The only question is whether he’d make it on the first ballot. That’s the type of player he’s become, and at 29 years old, there’s no reason to believe he can’t continue to play at this incredible level.
The Rams are fortunate to have him, and he’s worth every penny Los Angeles has given him in the last seven years.
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