Statistically, Aaron Donald had a down year in 2019 with 12.5 sacks, 24 QB hits and 20 tackles for loss – all lower than his remarkable 2018 output when he won Defensive Player of the Year. The fact that numbers like those equate to a so-called “down year” shows how good Donald has been throughout his career, making the Pro Bowl each season.
In the eyes of the oddsmakers, Donald remains the best defensive player in the NFL heading into the 2020 season. According to BetMGM, Donald is the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year again next season, which would be his third time in four seasons.
He’s currently +750 to win the award, ahead of Khalil Mack (+1000), Nick Bosa (+1300), Stephon Gilmore (+1500) and T.J. Watt (+1500).
That means if you were to wager $100 on Donald, you’d win $750 if he’s named Defensive Player of the Year next season.
Jalen Ramsey is the only other Rams player on BetMGM’s list, coming in at +5000. That’s tied with DeForest Buckner and the league’s reigning sacks leader, Shaquil Barrett, among others.
In the last three seasons, Donald has 44 sacks, 60 tackles for loss and 92 QB hits. He leads the league in tackles for loss over that stretch, and has also forced 11 fumbles in the process.