UNFORTUNATE UPDATE: Iconic Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald announces retirement due to..

The retirement of esteemed Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was confirmed on Friday after a decade-long career in the NFL.

Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams as the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Donald made significant contributions to the team’s success, including clinching a Super Bowl victory, securing four Defensive Player of the Year awards, and earning selections to 10 Pro Bowls, in addition to being named to the first-team All-Pro eight times.

Aaron Donald is anticipated to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on his first ballot, yet it’s worth noting that 12 players were chosen ahead of him in the 2014 NFL Draft, when the Los Angeles Rams were known as the St. Louis Rams, ultimately altering the trajectory of their franchise.

Of the dozen players selected before Aaron Donald, only half remained active in the NFL as of 2023. Notably, edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, chosen as the first overall pick by the Houston Texans, gained attention with a memorable moment in college football history but fell short of initial expectations. Despite this, he showcased his defensive prowess in the NFL with three Pro Bowl appearances and a second-team All-Pro selection, although he has since played for multiple teams.

Another player drafted before Donald was Taylor Lewan, a tackle for the Michigan Wolverines, who stood opposite Clowney in the viral college football moment. While Lewan is no longer in the league, he made significant contributions to the Tennessee Titans’ offensive line, earning three Pro Bowl selections.

Among the standout selections before Aaron Donald was Khalil Mack, chosen by the Las Vegas Raiders (formerly Oakland Raiders) at the fifth spot. Mack’s impressive career includes a Defensive Player of the Year award, five All-Pro selections, and eight Pro Bowl appearances. He continues to excel, achieving a career-high 17 sacks in 2023.

Additionally, Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers emerged as another notable pick. With two All-Pro selections and five Pro Bowl appearances, Evans has maintained consistent performance, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards annually for ten consecutive years and recently signing a two-year contract extension with the Buccaneers.

Other solid players drafted before Aaron Donald include Jake Matthews of the Atlanta Falcons, Anthony Barr of the Minnesota Vikings, and Odell Beckham Jr. of the New York Giants, each making significant contributions to their respective teams.

Conversely, there were several players drafted before Aaron Donald who could be considered “busts,” including Greg Robinson of the Rams, Blake Bortles of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sammy Watkins of the Buffalo Bills, Justin Gilbert of the Cleveland Browns, and Eric Ebron of the Indianapolis Colts. Despite varying levels of success, these players did not reach the heights anticipated in their careers, with some struggling to find consistency in the league.