Despite having the No. 1 defense in the NFL, the Rams only sent two players to the Pro Bowl this year. The two players selected, Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, were no-brainers, as both are considered likely All-Pros and candidates for Defensive Player of the Year.
Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is thrilled to see Donald and Ramsey selected to the Pro Bowl, saying they’re having the best seasons they’ve ever had in the NFL – an especially bold statement for players of their caliber. Donald is second in the NFL with 12.5 sacks, while Ramsey has once again proved he’s one of the best cornerbacks in football, capable of playing anywhere in the secondary.
“I’m very proud of Aaron and Jalen. I think they’re certainly deserving. I think that both of those guys are Defensive Player of the Year-type candidates. I think they’re both having, I would say, their best seasons that they’ve had as professional players,” Staley said. “I certainly think of where we’re ranked as a defense is a direct reflection of those guys, the caliber seasons that they’ve had and just so proud of those guys. I know that this is not anything new to them, but I think what is new, is that they’ve spearheaded one of the top defenses in the NFL, so I was just proud of those guys.”
But Staley would’ve liked to see the Rams better represented in the Pro Bowl, given the way they’ve played on defense. He highlighted three Rams defenders who were deserving of being selected thanks to the outstanding seasons they’re having in L.A.
“As it relates to a bunch of our other guys, I do feel like a lot of our other players are deserving. I think that several of our guys, Leonard Floyd, John Johnson, Darious Williams – I think all those guys had Pro Bowl-caliber seasons and then several others, but I think every coach in the NFL is going to say that about their players,” Staley said. “It’s a selective event and there’s going to be disappointment. I think that more than anything, we’re just so glad that we’re competing for something as a team. I think we’re really proud of what we’ve accomplished so far as a defense and I think that regardless of who made the Pro Bowl or not, our players are going to benefit from this season one way or the other. I know that we’re really proud of our guys.”
As is likely the case with Donald and Ramsey, the three players Staley mentioned are all having the best seasons of their careers. Floyd has already set a career-high with 7.5 sacks and 16 QB hits with two games remaining, and tied a career-best with nine tackles for loss. Johnson has broken up eight passes from his safety spot and picked off one, recording 95 tackles thus far – second-most in his career. And then there’s Williams, who’s in his first season as a starter and thriving with four interceptions, 13 passes defensed and a completion rate of only 52.4% when targeted.
There are star players across the league at all of those positions, which made it difficult for Floyd, Johnson and Williams to make the Pro Bowl. But if they play this way in 2021 – whether with the Rams or not – they could finally break through and be selected for the first time.
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