Defensive Line All-Stars: A look back at Week 4's standout players

It was a high-flying Week 4 in the NFL, as quarterbacks were historically productive through the air. But given the high volume of pass attempts, there were also plenty of chances for defensive linemen to make an impact.

Let's highlight the most impressive D-line players from Week 4:

Defensive Lineman of the Week: Aaron Donald, Rams

It took four weeks, but Aaron Donald finally seized the mantle. The best defender in football was in top form against the Minnesota Vikings, finishing with 13 total tackles, nine hurries, four stops, two quarterback hits, and two sacks, per Pro Football Focus.

While Donald receives a lot of praise for his ability as a pass-rusher, he's just as dominant against the run. He uses quickness to penetrate his gap and potent hand techniques to defeat blocks:

Here, Donald is aligned with an outside shade over right guard Mike Remmers (No. 74). Once the ball is snapped, Donald quickly squares up his man, seemingly giving the O-lineman a target to aim for. But Donald instead sidesteps Remmers, using a quick and effective club-to-arm-over move to get into the backfield for the tackle.

It's that type of "now you see me, now you don't" approach to defeating blocks that makes Donald so difficult to handle. Like the best counter-punchers in boxing, Donald employs micro-movements to create big reactions from his opponents, and big reactions are easy to counter for a defender as quick and efficient with his hands as Donald.

Donald was equally effective in the pass rush, as Minnesota was helpless to contain him throughout the game:

On this play - his first sack of the game - Donald aligns to the outside edge of left guard Tom Compton (No. 79). After the ball is snapped, he stresses Compton's pass set by exploding toward the guard's outside edge for two steps. Once Compton commits to defending his outside edge, Donald quickly alters his path and attacks his matchup's inside edge with a well-timed two-hand-swipe-to-arm-over move to defeat the block, get into the backfield, and legally bring down the quarterback.

With Ndamukong Suh aligned to Donald's right or left on any given play, it's extremely difficult for opposing teams to consistently double-team the latter, allowing him to be that much more effective.

However, even double-teaming Donald may not work:

Here, Donald is once again aligned to Compton's outside edge. With the Vikings driving to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, they attempt to nullify Donald by sliding the protection toward him, with the center, left guard, and left tackle moving left after the ball is snapped - giving Minnesota three linemen to block the combo of Donald and defensive end John Franklin-Myers.

Yet, once the ball is snapped, the double-team doesn't matter. Donald swiftly defeats the left guard with a cross-chop move before flattening to the quarterback for the clutch sack.

He's finally been paid what he's worth, and Donald has continued his stellar play this season, taking over games and making life easier for his teammates.

Pass Rush of the Week: Akiem Hicks, Bears

This honor typically goes to an athlete on the edge, but this week we'll show some love to a 300-plus-pounder who's been effectively rushing the passer.

Chicago Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks has been the engine of the team's defense since he arrived in 2016. General manager Ryan Pace has slowly built up the rest of the unit, and punctuated the latest offseason with a blockbuster trade for Khalil Mack. The addition has been great for Hicks, who's been fantastic this season with the extra help. His first-quarter sack of Ryan Fitzpatrick on Sunday was a great example:

Here, Hicks is lined up on the outside edge of right guard Caleb Benenoch (No. 77). As the ball is snapped, Hicks' arms are well apart, which exposes his chest and gives Benenoch a large area to target.

It's a trap!

Hicks is looking to draw out Benenoch's hands so he can counter with a well-timed two-hand swipe, or a "scissors" technique, which is exactly what he does on his way to the sack.

Hicks is listed at 6-foot-5 and 332 pounds, and it's rare to see a man so big move so fluidly around his block to the quarterback. Mack has gotten most of the credit for Chicago's success on the defensive line this season, but Hicks has been worthy of praise as well.

Run Defender of the Week: Jurrell Casey, Titans

No one expected the Tennessee Titans to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Philadelphia Eagles in back-to-back weeks, particularly while Marcus Mariota is less than 100 percent. But that's exactly what they did on the back of some excellent play from the defense.

Against the Eagles, defensive lineman Jurrell Casey was at the top of his game, finishing with five stops, three hurries, and a quarterback hit. Yet, while he made his presence felt as a pass-rusher, Casey made his biggest impact against the run:

Here, Casey is aligned with an outside shade over All-Pro center Jason Kelce to the near side of the field. Casey times the snap well so he can initiate contact with Kelce, and his power knocks the center back, giving Casey the necessary space to peek inside. From there, he shows good eye discipline to identify the running back's path and makes a clean tackle behind the line of scrimmage.

It's not flashy, but Casey's a talented player who does his job and plays a valuable role on the Titans' defense.

In the Spotlight: Takkarist McKinley, Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons have been one of the more disappointing teams in the NFL through the first four weeks, but don't blame second-year defensive end Takkarist McKinley, who has five sacks in three games played.

McKinley was a beast against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4, finishing with four tackles, three sacks, and three stops. While some defensive linemen fight hands in an effort to beat their block, McKinley chooses to play through his opponents' pads, using a keen understanding of leverage and weight distribution to displace and defeat blocks at an alarming rate. His last sack of Sunday's game was a great example:

Here, McKinley has a wide alignment to the outside edge of Cincinnati right tackle Bobby Hart (No. 68). Right off the bat, McKinley makes the mistake of raising up out of his stance, resulting in Hart beating him off the ball.

But it doesn't matter, because McKinley is able to generate an obscene level of power on contact. After his fourth step, McKinley explodes into Hart's frame before forklifting the right tackle's outside hand, giving him the ability to wrap around the edge for the sack.

Despite being a technically raw player, McKinley's already been effective and productive because of his freakish blend of power, explosiveness, and a tireless motor. The Falcons' 2018 season outlook might be grim, but McKinley's future looks bright.

John Owning is a football writer at theScore. He has written for Bleacher Report and Football Insiders. He was also the lead NFL content editor at FanRag Sports. John provides analysis on the Dallas Cowboys for the Dallas Morning News and edits for The Quant Edge. Find him on Twitter @JohnOwning.

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