By Lewis Gould
The Rams’ Aaron Donald has established himself as the premier defensive tackle in the game.
And the Eagles’ Fletcher Cox isn’t far behind.
Donald’s production earned him a unanimous first place finish for NFL defensive tackles from an Associated Press panel.
Donald is the only unanimous winner of the 10 positions ranked thus far by the 11-person AP panel in the weekly installments published this season.
Donald was one of six defensive tackles listed on every ballot. The other five were Miami’s Ndamukong Suh, who finished second; the Eagles’ Cox, who was third; Cincinnati’s Geno Atkins, who came in fourth; fifth-place finisher Damon Harrison of the New York Giants; and Carolina’s Kawann Short, who was eighth.
While quarterback Carson Wentz and the Eagles offense has stolen the spotlight, Cox has been a significant factor in the team’s NFL-best 8-1 start. Despite missing two games to injury, he has 4½ sacks, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one touchdown.
