'Pretty Enticing!': Did Rams Almost Pass on Aaron Donald?
The Los Angeles Rams landed defensive tackle Aaron Donald with the No. 13 overall selection in the 2014 NFL draft, and the team is fortunate that things didn't go a different way.
During an interview on "The Season with Peter Schrager," Brad Holmes, the former director of college scouting for the Rams and current general manager of the Detroit Lions, revealed that the team received a substantial offer for the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.
However, the Rams ultimately declined that offer, instead choosing to select Donald.
Holmes credited the quick actions of former coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead, who promptly shut down any potential trade talks.
“The sights were set on Aaron Donald,” Holmes said. “And I’ll never forget we got to that pick and a team called and they offered a pretty enticing trade offer. And I remember Jeff (Fisher) and Les (Snead) were like, ‘Absolutely not. We’re picking this guy and that’s just it.’”
While Snead and Fisher were all impressed with Donald and recognized his talent, it was Ray Agnew, the former assistant general manager of the Rams, who passionately championed for Donald.
"A lot of people were saying because of his size, he was going to be sub-rush, specialized package nickel-sub-rush guy,” Holmes said. “And I’ll never forget, Ray Agnew was like, ‘No, no, no, no, no, no, no. He’s every-down. It’s no specialized nothing. And he said it with the most passion.”
Suffice it to say, the Rams made the right choice. And now, Donald sits as arguably the best defensive player in NFL history.
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