What the Rams face now
Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald announced his retirement Friday after 10 seasons. He contemplated retirement last offseason but decided to return.
He produced 543 tackles, 111 sacks, 176 tackles for loss, 24 forced fumbles and 21 passes defended in 154 regular-season games. He also recorded 34 tackles, six sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 11 postseason games and helped the Rams win Super Bowl 56.
Donald’s retirement leaves a gaping hole in the Rams defense. USA TODAY Sports examines what’s next for them in the wake of his retirement:
Rebuild the defense
Beyonce had a hit single called “Irreplaceable”; that’s what Donald is to the Rams. A compelling case could be made that Donald is the best player ever for a Rams franchise that has boasted the likes of Eric Dickerson, Deacon Jones, Jackie Slater, Isaac Bruce and more.
Donald was a force as a three-technique tackle and a premier defensive player for a decade. The Rams built their defense inside out around him.
If the Rams desire to build their defense from inside out again, they’ll need to find another three-technique defensive anchor, and those are difficult to come by.
Kobie Turner (9), Desjuan Johnson (2.0), Bobby Brown III (0.5) and Cory Durden are the only defensive linemen on the Rams’ current roster. The four defensive linemen have a combined 11.5 career sacks and are all 25 or younger.
Draft at least one D-tackle
The Rams have the 19th pick in the first round of the draft. The club has 11 total picks, including four in the top 100.
Texas’ T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II, Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton, Michigan’s Kris Jenkins and Ohio State’s Michael Hall Jr. are the top D- tackle prospects this year.
Make splash in free agency
The Rams have roughly $27 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap.
Calais Campbell is USA TODAY Sports’ top ranked remaining defensive lineman. But he isn’t a long-term solution at 38 years old.
Free agent Jadeveon Clowney is best suited as an edge rusher but can slide inside in a crunch.