Aaron Donald, the Los Angeles Rams’ star defensive tackle, has quietly ascended to the top of the league in tackles for loss, as measured by Pro Football Focus’ HAVOC rating. Donald, who has been a perennial All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year candidate throughout his career, has taken his game to another level in 2022.
HAVOC is an acronym for “Hurries, Assists, Victories, and Other Contributions.” It is a statistic that measures a player’s impact on the game beyond traditional box score stats like tackles and sacks. HAVOC includes plays where a player gets a quarterback pressure, forces a fumble, or makes a tackle for loss.
Through the first six weeks of the 2022 season, Donald leads all NFL defenders in HAVOC with 28.0. That puts him ahead of some of the league’s other top pass rushers, including T.J. Watt (23.0), Myles Garrett (20.0), and Nick Bosa (19.0).
Donald’s success is due to a combination of factors. He possesses elite athleticism, strength, and technique. He is also incredibly smart and has a great understanding of the game. Donald is able to use his abilities to beat blockers in a variety of ways and get to the quarterback or ball carrier.
The Rams have won five of their first six games of the season, and Donald’s play has been a major reason for their success. He has helped the Rams rank among the league leaders in several defensive categories, including points allowed (16.5 per game) and sacks (22.0).
The Rams will need Donald to continue to play at a high level if they want to make a run at the Super Bowl. He is the heart and soul of their defense, and he is one of the best players in the NFL.
Aaron Donald is quietly having one of the best seasons of his career. He is leading the NFL in HAVOC and is a major reason for the Rams’ success. Donald is a unique talent, and he is one of the most dominant players in the game. The Rams are lucky to have him, and he will be a key factor in their quest for a Super Bowl title.
