Los Angeles Rams
Greatest Player: Marshall Faulk
Marshall Faulk was the centerpiece of the Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf,” an offensive unit that will go down in NFL history as one of the best ever. Unquestionably the greatest pass catching running back of all-time, Faulk averaged 63 catches per season throughout his Hall of Fame career.
While his hands made him special, his legs didn’t disappoint either. Faulk tallied seven 1,000-yard seasons and finished the 1999 season with over 1,000 yards rushing and receiving (only 1 of 2 players to ever accomplish both in the same season).
Los Angeles Rams
Runner Up: Deacon Jones
Deacon Jones revolutionized the defensive end position in the 60’s — and is famously known for creating the phrase “sacking the quarterback.”What separated Jones from every other defensive end was his speed and his ability to make tackles from sideline to sideline, which was unheard of in his time. Nowadays the NFL is stacked with superhuman defensive ends like Von Miller, J.J. Watt, and Jadeveon Clowney – but back in the 60’s players of his size (6-foot-five and 270 pounds) lacked athleticism.
How good was Jones? In 1967, Jones had 21½ sacks in only 14 games; he tallied 22 sacks in 14 games the following year. Aside from his elite size and speed, Jones prided himself on his extreme work ethic. Something that was necessary for a guy selected as a 14th-round draft choice from Mississippi Vocational College. Jones was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1980 — his first year of eligibility.
Los Angeles Rams
Challenger: Aaron Donald
Without regard to position, Aaron Donald is pound for pound the best player in the NFL right now. He’s easily been the most impactful defensive player in the league since his rookie season in 2014.
He’s been a Pro Bowler in all five seasons and has won NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors the past two seasons (2017-2018). Coming off a season in which he had 20.5 sacks, he’s close to unstoppable, at least without committing two linemen to block him on every play. With Donald on the field, the Rams have an advantage on defense that no other team can claim.