Rams exercise fifth-year option on Donald

Dominant defensive tackle probably will get a new contract from the team before then.

In one of the most predictable moves of the offseason, the Rams exercised their fifth-year option on defensive tackle Aaron Donald, the team announced Wednesday.

Donald, 25, has been one of the NFL’s most dominant players since the Rams selected him with the 13th pick in the 2014 draft. The 6-foot-1, 285pound Donald has amassed 28 sacks en route to three consecutive Pro Bowl selections.

Donald originally signed a four-year, $10.1-million contract that included a $5.7-million signing bonus. The All-American from the University of Pittsburgh is due to earn about $3.2 million this season, according to spotrac.com

Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, teams have the option of adding a fifth year to first-round rookie contracts after a player’s third season. The fifth year is guaranteed for injury. For players selected with the 11th through 32nd picks, the fifthyear salary is the average of the third through 25th highest salaries for a player’s position.

Last year, that figure was just over $6.1 million for defensive tackles.

But Donald is probably in line to receive a new contract well before he gets to his fifth season.

General manager Les Snead all but said as much in February during the scouting combine in Indianapolis.

“Let’s be honest here,” Snead said. “Aaron’s probably sitting pretty right now.”

Asked about a possible extension for Donald, Snead said: “It’s definitely coming. The guy deserves a raise, there’s no doubt. Whether he gets a raise or not, he’s going to show up, do the things he does. But that’s coming.”

Donald flourished in his first three seasons playing in a 4-3 defensive scheme. He said this week that he was looking forward to playing in new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme.

“I’m comfortable wherever he puts me,” Donald said. “Like I always say, ‘rushing the passer — it doesn’t matter if it’s outside, inside, nose tackle, I can do it.’ I did it before, so I’m just comfortable wherever he puts me.”