So, get this: Aaron Donald, the dude with an A+++ career, was just at Los Angeles Rams camp on Wednesday, and the team actually reported it to the NFL as a “tryout.” A tryout! Seriously, what are we even doing here? After a year away, which they called a “sabbatical, er, retirement,” the big question is if he’s actually ready to jump back in. If he does, imagine that D-line with Myles Garrett. That’s a 1-2 punch that’s gonna give offensive coordinators nightmares. Rams coach Sean McVay even joked to NFL Network, “Did it come across as a tryout? Best tryout we’ve ever had. I think he could make the team.” You gotta love it.
The A+++ Legend and the Busts Who Came Before
Donald was the 13th overall pick back in the 2014 NFL draft out of Pittsburgh, and his career grade of A+++ speaks for itself. But what about the guys picked before him? It’s a real mixed bag. Take Mike Evans, the 7th overall pick out of Texas A&M. He’s a straight-up Hall of Famer, and now he’s with the San Francisco 49ers after lighting it up for the Bucs. That’s an A+ pick, no doubt. Then you have Taylor Lewan, the 11th pick from Michigan, an offensive tackle who had a strong NFL run with three Pro Bowls and earned an A-. He’s even killing it as a podcaster now with “Bussin’ with the Boys” and is reportedly lined up for an ESPN college football show.
From Controversial Studs to Quick Exits
Not every pick was a home run, though. Odell Beckham Jr., the 12th pick from LSU, is also trying for a return engagement with the Giants. He was spectacular and controversial during his first stint, a true stud wide receiver who has played for five teams, earning a B+. Anthony Barr, the 9th pick from UCLA, had his moments too, playing 10 years and making four Pro Bowls, which isn’t bad for a B grade. Eric Ebron, the 10th pick out of North Carolina, played eight seasons for three teams, but was average at best, with a C+ grade. His top season saw 66 catches for 750 yards in 2018. But then there’s Justin Gilbert, the 8th pick from Oklahoma State. He lasted only three years, got shipped off by the Browns for a sixth-round pick, and was eventually suspended a year for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He never played again. An F grade, pure bust.
Seeing that wide range, from A+++ to F, really shows you how crazy the draft can be. The fact that Donald, at pick 13, is the absolute GOAT among them just makes his potential comeback even more insane. If he truly rejoins the Rams, it’s not just a feel-good story; it could genuinely shift the balance for their season. You’ve gotta wonder what impact a player of that caliber, even after a year off, could have.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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