Ranking 49ers’ Nick Bosa, NFC West’s 4 other top pass-rushers
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
2020 Stat Line: 45 tackles, 28 QB hits, 13.5 sacks
As if it could be anyone else.
True, 49ers fans aren’t overly thrilled with Los Angeles Rams perennial All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald. At least not after he threw shade at Niners wide receiver Deebo Samuel last year. Although Samuel had his own comeback.
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Still, Donald is easily the one player who’d surpass Nick Bosa as a defensive centerpiece, and for all the right reasons, too. Easy enough, Donald has regularly been the NFL’s best defensive player as a normal accolade, and his three nominations as the AP Defensive Player of the Year are a perfect testament to that statement.
It hasn’t mattered whether or not Donald has had a strong supporting cast around him. Last year, the Rams enjoyed EDGE Leonard Floyd in support, and Floyd certainly benefited from Donald’s presence, picking up 10.5 sacks of his own.
But Donald was equally as impressive without Floyd or now-Atlanta Falcons EDGE Dante Fowler in previous years.
Seriously, do we need to justify Donald being atop this list? No.
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Either way, quarterbacks lining up opposite Donald, Bosa and many of the other talented pass-rushers within the NFC West will have to do so at their own cautionary will this upcoming season.