The team over at PFF are running through units on the defensive side of the ball, grading all 32 teams across the league in the process. Yesterday they had their list of secondaries, with the pass rushing units being ranked today.
Here’s where they have the Los Angeles Rams’ pass rush ranked:
9. Los Angeles Rams
This is purely what Aaron Donald brings to the table. Put three guys off the street next to Donald, and you’ve still got a top-10 pass-rush. That’s just how frequently and quickly he wins.
Obviously they didn’t delve into much detail, but they probably didn’t need to. DT Aaron Donald is the best player in football. Whatever unit he becomes a part of, he immediately boosts to an entirely different level. Sans Donald, the Rams’ pass rush is largely an unknown. Starting at edge will be new comer Clay Matthews who looks to have lost a step or two, Dante Fowler Jr (re-signed in free agency) who has yet to reach his potential as a potent threat off the edge, and veteran DT Michael Brockers who had a down year in 2018.
The unit has the potential to be a good one, though the question marks that surround three quarters of the unit are valid.