Rams' Aaron Donald could make history by winning 2020 NFL Defensive Player of Year

There can be little argument that Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is the best overall defensive player in football these days and a future first-ballot Hall of Famer. He is the +600 favorite on the moneyline odds at William Hill sportsbook to win a third career NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2020.

If Donald were to accomplish that, it would be an NFL first. Yes, Lawrence Taylor won the award three times and so did current Houston Texan J.J. Watt … but Taylor was a linebacker and Watt is a defensive end. No tackle has won DPOY three times.

Donald won it the first time in 2017 and was the first tackle to take home the award since legendary Tampa Bay Buccaneer Warren Sapp in 1999. It's tough for tackles to win this because they generally don't put up major statistics like sacks or interceptions. Those are what voters tend to notice.

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In 2018, Donald won it again when he set a record for a tackle with 20.5 sacks. He joined Taylor and Watt as the only players who had won the award in consecutive seasons. Last year, Donald was a devastating force again with 12.5 sacks and 48 tackles but only got one vote. Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore won it with 21 votes.

Donald was named Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth time by Pro Football Focus, but for betting purposes only the Associated Press version counts.

Since he entered the NFL in 2014, Donald leads all players by a mile in quarterback hits and tackles for a loss. Pro Football Focus recently ranked the top 101 players of the past decade, spanning from 2010-2019, and Donald came in at No. 2 behind Tom Brady. Donald owns all five of the highest single-season pass-rush grades since PFF has been doing grades.

Donald and the Rams open the 2020 season at home on Sunday night, Sept. 13, vs. Dallas. The Cowboys are 2.5-point favorites at William Hill sportsbook. 

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