Los Angeles Rams fans have been ecstatic since legendary defender Aaron Donald announced his comeback, but his return won't be needed early in the season. However, once November comes around, he'll be their most important asset.
Many wonder whether Donald will feature in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers and, if so, how many snaps he will play after being retired for the last two seasons. With players like Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, and Braden Fiske, among others, set to play key roles, Donald's usage and snap count will likely be around 30-40 percent this season.
As a pass rusher, Donald will be called upon as the final attacker needed to turn a pass rush from one that induces pressure into a unit that secures sacks. The thing
is, the Rams do not need Donald to be that attacker in the opener. They don't need him to be that player in the first week of the season. They don't even need him to be that player in the first 10 weeks.
The Rams need Donald for the home stretch, and here's why. In 2025, the Rams' defense went from being one of the NFL's best into a unit struggling to keep pace with their contenders. That would lead to defensive meltdowns against the Carolina Panthers and the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs, leading to their loss in the NFC Championship Game.
The belief is that Myles Garrett should be that force. That should happen, but Garrett is an edge rusher, and that's where the Rams were able to generate the most amount of pressure last season. Where they failed was attacking from inside.
That's where they need Donald, and that's why the Rams must use Donald sparingly to preserve his health, but more importantly, the team must utilize his limited snaps to place its top interior rushers in positions to succeed. In 2024, the Rams held their final three opponents (excluding the season-finale in which they benched their starters) to under 20 points. In the playoffs, they were all over Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings, while providing the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, their toughest test of the postseason.
Then in 2025, they didn't mimic that. What they also failed to replicate was Fiske's eight sacks as a rookie, while Turner's sack rate was slightly reduced. No Donald could mean their interior pressure could suffer again. The Rams need Donald to be their ultimate insurance policy.
One thing that could hurt the Rams is their interior defensive line. Donald must be available to cover it up. Even if it means we barely see him for the opening frame of the season.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams can't be short-sighted with how they deploy Aaron Donald early on
