Ranking The 10 Best 2027 NFL Draft Prospects — Who Aren't Quarterbacks

No one knows for sure how things might change during the upcoming college football season, but early indications are that the 2027 NFL Draft will be the strongest in years. Quarterbacks — such as Texas’ Arch Manning, Oregon’s Dante Moore and Ohio State's Julian Sayin — have dominated the early buzz because, well, they’re quarterbacks brimming with talent and potential. But the beauty of next year's draft class is that it could offer several franchise-altering prospects at other positions, as well. I’ve ranked the top 10 non-QBs heading into the season and, as you’d expect, all of them have a realistic chance at being a first-round pick next spring. Frankly, the top seven players would have been selected on Day 1 this year. As a bonus, I've included a pro comparison for each prospect. Grading offensive linemen is more about fit and grit than analytics, but Green checks in with the numbers that even a stat geek can appreciate. The 6-foot-5, 324-pounder is a three-year starter dating back to his true freshman season at Oklahoma. He allowed just two sacks in 751 pass drops last year, his first at the premium left tackle position after spending his first two seasons inside at left guard, where he routinely delivered pancake blocks. Green is a talented pass blocker, as well as a spark plug in the running game. He gains impressive depth in his kick-slide and has the lateral agility and core strength to handle counters. I’m eager to see if he is even smoother in Year 2 at tackle. Between his girth, grip-strength, competitiveness and previous experience at guard, Green should offer his future NFL team plenty of roster flexibility. Pro comp: Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills Lacy went from a backup at Missouri to leading the entire country with 24 rushing touchdowns at Ole Miss last year. He is sudden and slippery, consistently zipping around and past would-be tacklers. His elusiveness generates plenty of highlight-reel worthy plays, but Lacy is also quite effective in short yardage, showing impressive leg drive, balance through contact and sheer determination to grind out the tough yards, too. Along with his frequent trips to the end zone, the 5-foot-11, 205-pounder led the nation with 335 touches in 2025. There is no denying that Lacy was aided by the creative playcalling of former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. With Kiffin now in Baton Rouge, scouts are curious to see if Lacy can duplicate his remarkable sophomore campaign. Pro comp: TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots Robinson wasn’t quite as flashy as the aforementioned Lacy last year, but he was close, earning FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors with four interceptions, tying for tops in the talent-rich SEC. Robinson is every bit the athletic phenom you’d expect as a former five-star recruit out of IMG Academy. He has a tight, low backpedal and easy hip turn to track receivers downfield, showing impressive balance and burst out of his breaks and legitimate recovery speed when necessary. He’s also a surprisingly scrappy tackler. A rarity for a young cornerback, Robinson’s hands might be even better than his feet. Robinson can get a bit grabby downfield, but refs often let him compete because he locates the ball well, showing impressive hand-eye coordination to either catch it himself or rake it out of the hands of the intended receiver at the final moment. Interceptions against state rival Georgia Tech and this one versus Charlotte show Robinson’s rare body control and extension to make tough grabs look easy. Pro comp: Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles Rams With all due respect to star quarterback Dante Moore, Washington is both literally and figuratively the biggest reason why Oregon has a chance to match Indiana from a year ago and win its first national championship in program history. He is the centerpiece of arguably the best defensive line in college football. Washington would have been a first-round pick last year but was one of several Ducks who chose to stay north for one more winter rather than migrate to the NFL. He is surprisingly quick and agile for someone listed at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds, and he already possesses NFL power, stacking and discarding would-be blockers like paper plates at a summer barbeque. And just ask No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza about Washington’s bull rush. Pro comp: Kenny Clark, Dallas Cowboys If you thought the hype built up around Arch Manning last year was intense, just wait until this season, with the Longhorns set to stampede for a national title and dominate the first round of the 2027 draft. Coleman — the first of three Longhorns in this article — was lured to Austin from Auburn, where he caught a combined 93 receptions for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns over his first two seasons, despite a limited supporting cast. The stats on Coleman are good, but the tape is even better. He is already an established playmaker whose film screams first-round pick. His star could shine from another galaxy, however, now that he's working with Manning and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, one of the best offensive minds in the sport at any level. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Coleman has the size and athleticism of a future No. 1 NFL receiver. He is an effortless mover who accelerates in a flash and changes directions fluidly. Better yet, he offers exceptional body control and sticky hands to make acrobatic catches even with defenders draped over him. Pro comp: George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys Cornerback is not universally regarded as one of the premium positions by NFL teams. Otherwise, Moore might rank even higher on this list, as his profile is spectacular. He is coming off of a unanimous All-American campaign as a true sophomore in which he recorded five interceptions and was a finalist for not only the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back, but the Bronko Nagurski Award as the best overall defender in college football. Listed at 6-foot-2, 197 pounds, Moore has intimidating size for a cornerback. He has a smooth turning motion, seamlessly transitioning out of his backpedal into full gallop. He locates the ball well for a young player, instantly reading underneath routes and showing impressive downhill quickness to trigger back toward the quarterback. Moore has broken up and/or intercepted more passes (25) than he has allowed first downs (23) over his first two seasons of college football, and he's also a physical hitter, having forced three fumbles. These numbers are all the more impressive when considering Notre Dame often asked him to travel with the opponents’ top receiver, including playing out of the nickel. Pro comp: Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots No disrespect to former Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. — the No. 9 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2025 — but the Longhorns might have upgraded with the 6-foot-7, 325-pound Goosby succeeding Banks at left tackle. Pro Football Focus pinned three sacks (out of 492 reps in pass protection) on Goosby last year, but I don’t know that he was truly at fault for any of them. His tape was as clean as any blocker in the 2026 draft, and remember, there were nine blockers drafted in the first round this past spring. Goosby is still just growing into his body, but he already moves with such an exciting combination of grace and force that it is easy to project him as a future Pro Bowler, if not All-Pro. He eases off the snap in pass protection, sliding laterally and keeping himself square to the rusher. Goosby surges low and hard as a run blocker, as well, showing impressive bend, balance and power to move defenders in the running game. Pro comp: Laremy Tunsil, Washington Commanders Stewart promises to be one of the most scrutinized non-quarterbacks of this draft class because he is remarkably gifted yet has not generated the eye-popping production his talent portends. He checks in at a prototypical 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, with long arms, which he already effectively uses to lock out and shed would-be blockers, as well as lasso ballcarriers from behind. As a pass-rusher, Stewart is sudden off the snap and has excellent core flexibility to dip under the reach of offensive tackles, greasing the edge and closing in a flash. He’s recorded 11.5 sacks over his first two seasons of SEC football, but his frequent pressures suggest his production could be twice that. Stewart’s blend of size and athleticism are exciting build blocks. He’s already quite strong and is technically sound with some refined pass rush techniques. He’s just growing into his frame and game, projecting as a future All-Pro caliber edge. Pro comp: Robert Quinn (retired) Similar in many ways to 2026 No. 5 overall selection Arvel Reese, Simmons is a malleable monster capable of starring off the edge or as an off-ball linebacker. He is as swift on the perimeter as any rusher in this class, accelerating off the ball like a receiver getting into his route. He isn’t just explosive, he’s flexible, slithering his way through waves of blockers. Watch his anticipation on this snap. The quarterback (and left tackle) had no chance. Moreover, Simmons is shockingly strong at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds. Like all great speed rushers, Simmons generates impressive power with the momentum he gains off his rush, often bulldozing through blockers nearly 100 pounds larger. He has recorded 21 sacks over his first two seasons — despite starting just 13 games. Simmons’ physical gifts are undeniable and will almost certainly earn him a top-five selection whenever he chooses to enter the draft. He isn’t a prospect without flaws, however. He’s been penalized a dozen times in just two collegiate seasons, with most of his penalties coming from mental errors, such as lining up in the neutral zone or unnecessary late hits on the quarterback. Even with the occasional hiccup, Simmons has the look of a future franchise cornerstone. Pro comp: Von Miller, Dallas Cowboys It is difficult to discuss Smith and not venture into hyperbole. Ohio State’s track record for producing superstar NFL wide receivers has been well documented and Smith’s production over his first two years in Columbus is unprecedented even among them. His 2,558 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns during his first two seasons on campus aren't just records for an Ohio State receiver; they top all pass-catchers in Big Ten history. Along with current and future Hall of Famers Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones, Derrick Henry, Myles Garrett and Penei Sewell, Smith is one of a handful of players I’ve evaluated over my career who I believe were capable of playing in the NFL as true freshmen. At a rocked up 6-foot-3, 223 pounds, Smith can simply bully most defensive backs at the college level. His size and strength make him an ideal weapon in the red zone, where he shows good timing and hand-eye coordination to play above the rim. And he’s a legitimate vertical threat who accelerates smoothly and tracks the ball well over his shoulder. Smith is also excellent on slants and crossing routes, utilizing his frame to keep himself between the defender and the ball and showing good vision to rack up yardage after the catch. It is remarkable how many times he outruns pursuit angles or slips between defenders seemingly in position to stop him. We’ve often heard the expression "runaway freight train" used to describe running backs, but the characterization also applies to Smith at receiver. Comparisons to past size-speed phenoms such as the aforementioned Johnson, Jones and DK Metcalf will be common throughout the draft process. The scary part about Smith is that he’s already further along as a route-runner than any of these receivers were coming out of college. Pro comp: Julio Jones (retired)

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NFL Catchup: Cowboys Release Milton, Tunsil Goes on IR And Nabers Injury Update

Following initial 53-man roster cutdowns, NFL teams continued adjusting their active rosters through waiver claims, injury designations and more Monday. The Dallas Cowboys made a surprise roster move in their quarterback room by waiving Joe Milton, leaving Sam Howell as the backup to Dak Prescott despite Milton's preseason performances. Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders placed left tackle Laremy Tunsil on injured reserve Monday. More NFC East news dropped as New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers stayed noncommittal about his Week 1 availability. And the Los Angeles Chargers made headlines by reuniting the Herbert brothers. Here is the latest from around the league on Monday: With Week 1 right around the corner, the Dallas Cowboys made a surprising roster move on Monday morning. The Cowboys are waiving quarterback Joe Milton to make room for running back Emari Demercado, according to ESPN. The decision clears the path for Sam Howell to serve as Dak Prescott's backup quarterback to start the season. Milton was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots out of Tennessee. Milton spent six years in college playing for both Michigan and Tennessee, but only started one full season during his redshirt senior year. With the Volunteers, Milton completed 64.5% of his passes for 2,813 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. Now with Milton’s NFL future up in the air, it will be worth keeping an eye on whether another team claims him off waivers. A player with his physical tools might not stay a free agent long and could find his way into a quarterback competition sooner rather than later. The Washington Commanders took a major roster hit on Monday afternoon. They’re placing five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton on injured reserve, according to ESPN. Both players could return later this season, but Tunsil faces a long recovery after tearing his triceps early in training camp. Newton faces a similar uphill battle after suffering a torn pectoral muscle during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. Tunsil played in 14 games last season for the Commanders after an offseason trade with the Houston Texans that brought in a true pass protector for quarterback Jayden Daniels. For a team repeatedly plagued by injuries, this season doesn’t appear to be any different. Missing Tunsil and Newton for most or even all of the 2026 season puts head coach Dan Quinn in a tough spot in a crowded and competitive NFC East. The Commanders are set to kick off their season on the road in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers progressed from individual drills to full-contact team sessions at practice on Monday, shedding his no-contact jersey. However, with New York set to open its regular season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13, the wideout remains uncertain if he will be cleared in time as he recovers from a torn ACL in his right knee. "My mind is focused on playing the regular season: playing whenever that is," Nabers said after practice Monday. "There’s still some things that you still have to check off the box for you to participate. I’m still going through that, still listening to the trainers, still listening to doctors and sharing everything with them." Nabers added that he feels "real good" physically, but emphasized that final clearance remains a process between himself, doctors, and the coaching staff. "That’ll be a decision that will be made when that time comes," Nabers said regarding Week 1. "There’s certain things that, as a football player, you’ve got to mentally prepare (for) before you go into a game... I want to be able to come out there and make no mistakes and just be able to fly around and do what I do. I’m getting there, for sure." The Los Angeles Chargers signed tight end Patrick Herbert to their practice squad Monday, joining his brother, starting quarterback Justin Herbert, according to NFL Network. Patrick Herbert was waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of Sunday's 53-man roster deadline and chose Los Angeles after receiving interest from multiple teams. The Herbert brothers previously played together at Oregon during the 2019 season, helping lead the Ducks to a Rose Bowl victory. Patrick, who recorded two catches for 12 yards during Jacksonville's 2026 preseason action, joins a Chargers tight end group featuring Charlie Kolar, Oronde Gadsden, and David Njoku. The Chargers open the regular season on Sept. 13 against the Arizona Cardinals.

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Lane Kiffin Defends NFL Transfers While Steve Sarkisian Calls Moves 'Morally Wrong'

A Louisiana court ruling permitting NFL players to return to campus has ignited immediate pushback from college football’s top powerhouses. Despite heavy penalties from the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12, head coaches remain sharply divided over how to handle the roster chaos. To no one's surprise, LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is leaning right into the storm. Rather than diffusing the backlash over his latest roster additions, Kiffin doubled down during his Monday press conference, seemingly embracing the heat. "I feel like my decision should always be made in the best interest of the players that sit in this team room and not for my reputation and how the decisions play in the national media or other fanbases," Kiffin said. "I’ve never been that way and that could be wrong." Rather than backing down, Kiffin leaned directly into the chaos as he normally does. Kiffin framed college football and the NFL as two sides of the same coin, positioning the shift not as a temporary phase, but as the sport's inevitable future. "Those players and the people that hire me always know he’s constantly trying to do the best thing for them," Kiffin said. "So I struggle too. Even though that’s what you do in the NFL and there’s an argument that these players are paid like that and it’s what happened yesterday." Kiffin might back it, but Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian isn't buying in. In fact, he's questioning the very ethics of bringing former NFL players into the college game. "The fact that somebody out there is going to take a player off of an NFL roster and tell somebody who’s been doing it for nine months to go kick rocks, that doesn’t sit well with me" Sarkisian said. "I think that’s wrong. That morally is wrong." Even with the brutally honest response from Sarkisian, Kiffin took the matter to LSU’s player leadership committee before making any moves. Even if Kiffin isn’t solely to blame, he’s clearly shielding his decision behind the green light from his team. "I met with our leadership committee and every one of them was emphatic about, 'If they can help us win, bring them,'" Kiffin said. "We understand that we have a team that's practiced together all offseason, but this is how it works at the next level and this is how the real world works." Whether you side with Kiffin's cold pragmatism or Sarkisian's ethical stand, this debate is just getting started. Expect every late-season roster addition to be judged under this exact spotlight.

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2026 NFL DPOY Odds: Aaron Donald Soars After Rams Return

The 2026 Super Bowl favorites have added two former Defensive Players of the Year this offseason. After falling just short of a Super Bowl appearance last season, the Los Angeles Rams made the biggest move of the offseason by acquiring reigning DPOY Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns back in June. Now, they’ve added another all-time great to their defense, and it's a familiar face. After two seasons away from football, three-time DPOY Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement and returning to the Rams for the 2026 season. The news immediately shook up the DPOY oddsboard, with Donald soaring to +4500 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Donald won the award three times during his first stint with the Rams (2017, 2018 and 2020). Could Donald make history and capture the award for a fourth time after more than two years away from the game. Let’s take a look at the odds to win the 2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year at FanDuel Sportsbook as of Aug. 31. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Myles Garrett: +400 (bet $10 to win $50 total)Will Anderson Jr: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)Aidan Hutchinson: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)Nik Bonitto: +1900 (bet $10 to win $200 total)Maxx Crosby: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)Jalen Carter: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)Danielle Hunter: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)T.J. Watt: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Trey Hendrickson: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Jared Verse: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Brian Burns: +3300 (bet $10 to win $340 total)Quinyon Mitchell: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)Aaron Donald: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total) Here's what to know about this oddsboard: The Favorite: Garrett won the AP NFL DPOY award unanimously in 2025. The former No. 1 overall pick received all 50 first-place votes after breaking the single-season sack record with 23 sacks. Next on the oddsboard is Will Anderson Jr. In 2025, Anderson recorded 12 sacks and was fourth in the league in pass rush win rate at 23%. Aaron Donald's Return: The Rams’ all-time sack leader is back, and he’ll join Garrett on what could be a historic defense. Donald has 111 career sacks, while he and Garrett have combined for 236.5 in their careers. The biggest question is what Donald will look like after two seasons away. In 2023, his final season before retiring, Donald recorded eight sacks in 16 games after posting five sacks in 11 games in 2022. Prior to that, however, he recorded at least 12.5 sacks in four consecutive seasons from 2018-21, highlighted by a career-high 20.5 sacks in 2018. What will Donald’s snap count look like after two years away? Can he return to the dominant form that made him a three-time DPOY? The books currently list Donald at +4500 to win the award in 2026.

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5 Takeaways From NFL Cutdown Day, Preseason Week 3: Aaron Donald And OBJ Are Back

You probably heard about Aaron Donald's return to the Los Angeles Rams, but much more than that happened around the NFL this weekend. Donald grabbed headlines with his return to the Rams, but another former star returned to the team where he experienced his brightest days. Elsewhere, teams weren't afraid to stash quarterbacks. In the final week of preseason action, a couple of contenders unlocked intriguing quarterbacks, including the reigning champions and their potential secret weapon behind Sam Darnold. Here are our takeaways from the weekend in the NFL: Eric D. Williams: Sean McVay’s wait is finally over, as game wrecker Aaron Donald officially ended his two-year retirement by joining the Los Angeles Rams during the team’s final roster cuts on Sunday. Donald signed a one-year deal that could be worth up to $30 million. Donald participated in individual drills on Sunday as he reacclimates to playing football. McVay said he has not decided if Donald will play in his team’s first regular-season game in Australia against the San Francisco 49ers. "It’s going to be a day at a time for us," McVay told reporters on Sunday. "What does that mean for Australia? The first step was, ‘Are you coming back?’ If so, let’s do that. Let’s get you on the practice field. Let’s get you acclimated to your teammates, to your coaches. And then we’ll see what the ramp-up period looks like, whether he’s available, or whether we think it’s best to be able to play him in Australia." For his part, Donald said he’s thankful to be a part of this team that is a heavy favorite to win the Super Bowl. "This is a complete team with me here or without me here," Donald said in his first press conference following his decision to unretire. "For me to even have an opportunity to be a part of this team, I take nothing for granted. It’s a blessing to be retired from the game for two years and have the opportunity to come back and be a part of something special." Ralph Vacchiano: It seemed like a favor for an old friend at first, the Giants giving Odell Beckham Jr. a chance to come to camp at age 33 after having not played football for two years. Instead, it turned into a Cinderella story. Beckham rose from the bottom of the New York Giants’ roster and made the team that he never wanted to leave in the first place. He did it through hard work, proving he still had something left in his battered body, which he did through some highlight-reel moves at practice and decent play in the preseason (including a three-catch, 53-yard performance against the Jets on Friday night). Also helping his case was that the Giants lost slot WR Calvin Austin to a torn ACL last week, which probably opened up a spot for Beckham. Beckham is probably the fourth or fifth receiver on the roster, behind Malik Nabers, rookie Malachi Fields, veteran Darnell Mooney and maybe even Darius Slayton. It’s hard to imagine he’ll have much of a role when the regular season begins, but he’s brought energy to the team and to the fanbase. And he insists his Cinderella story isn’t over yet. Greg Auman: If you weren’t aware of the extreme value placed on quarterbacks in the NFL, consider that four teams – the Eagles, Falcons, Steelers and Vikings – carried four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster, at least one more than normal. The most famous case of this was the 2000 Patriots, and it’s unlikely that any of this year’s rookie QB4s will go on to, say, win seven Super Bowls. But last year, the Browns carried four, waited a day, then got a fifth-round pick from the Raiders for Kenny Pickett. The Eagles have made several trades of their backups for draft picks, as well. Getting a quarterback – even a backup – on the cheap is a huge value for an NFL team, so even as a quick flip to a needy team is a good use of your 53rd spot if you instead cut a marginal veteran you know you can get back in a few days. (The Browns were close to keeping four quarterbacks, placing second-year QB Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve for a month while keeping three others.) Tennessee cut Will Levis loose, and he’ll almost certainly be claimed on waivers, but the teams that miss out on him and others they can get for free might give up a future draft pick to add a QB4 who can be their QB3 or, in some cases, even QB2. Williams: When Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider selected Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in the third round of the 2025 draft, the organization understood he needed seasoning to produce on an NFL stage. However, entering Seattle's preseason finale, Milroe had not shown a command of Seattle’s offense, with turnovers, pre-snap penalties and missed throws proving the norm when he was on the field. But on Friday night on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs, Milroe showed the potential the Seahawks saw in him in college. He finished 16-of-26 for 223 yards, with a touchdown pass to tight end Nick Vannett and no interceptions. He was sacked once and posted a 101.9 passer rating. Milroe looked comfortable in the pocket, completing passes to 10 different pass catchers and creating three chunk plays of at least 24 yards. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald wants Milroe to use his legs more because he understands the conflict a dynamic quarterback creates for a defense from his time in Baltimore with Lamar Jackson. With Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III now with the Chiefs, the Seahawks are looking for ways to create more explosive plays. With his steady play against Kansas City, Milroe took a step in proving he’s ready for a role as a gadget player in Seattle’s offense. Steven Ruiz: I’m not ready to buy the Chargers as title contenders – there are still too many holes on the roster – but I am sold on this offense being a highly entertaining watch now that Mike McDaniel is calling plays as the team’s new offensive coordinator. The former Dolphins head coach may have lost control of his locker room in Miami, but his ability to draw up explosive plays never really wavered. Even with Tua Tagovailoa throwing ducks all over the field, Miami finished ninth in explosive play rate. Now, McDaniel is teaming up with one of the NFL’s most gifted passers in Justin Herbert. That tandem gave us a sneak peek at what might be coming this past weekend with this 65-yard strike for a touchdown. Herbert’s pass traveled 48.1 yards through the air, per Next Gen Stats. It was the longest throw any quarterback has ever made for a McDaniel-coached team. In Miami, McDaniel was accustomed to watching wide-open receivers slow down for Tagovailoa’s looping downfield throws. Watching wide receiver Quentin Johnston run under Herbert’s bomb while barely breaking stride must have been a jolt to his system. It was also the first time Herbert had ever attempted a throw of at least 45 air yards to a receiver with at least three yards of separation. These two are going to make each other’s jobs a lot easier, and given their respective talents, that should produce a lot of fireworks for the Chargers offense.

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Aaron Donald Returns: Which Stars Can He Join In Shining After Prolonged Retirement

Aaron Donald's return to the Los Angeles Rams is official. After retiring over two years ago, Donald, 35, couldn't stay away from the game he loves. Now, the question becomes whether Donald is able to play at the same level he was at when he won three Defensive Player of the Year awards. So, as Donald makes his return to football, let's take a look at which other athletes had successful returns after stepping away from the game for at least a year. Gronkowski retired after the 2018 season with the New England Patriots. He initially went out on a high note, helping the Patriots to beat the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII, his third ring with the team. He was out of the league for one full season before returning to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when his longtime teammate, quarterback Tom Brady, joined them in free agency. Brady and Gronkowski combined to win another Super Bowl before Gronkowski's career ended following the 2022 season. Gronkowski had 13 touchdown receptions over those two seasons Lynch initially retired after the 2015 season, his seventh with the Seattle Seahawks, and his 11th NFL season. At that point, his final game was the Seahawks' 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX. He had won a Super Bowl ring with Seattle the year before that. Lynch also led the NFC in rushing touchdowns in 2013 and 2014. Lynch returned after one season out of the NFL, playing with his hometown Oakland Raiders for two seasons, before officially finishing his career with the Seahawks in 2019. He rushed for 891 yards in his first year back. Witten retired after the 2017 NFL season, his 15th with the Dallas Cowboys. He joined ESPN to call games for one season before returning to Dallas in 2019. He had 63 receptions for 529 yards and four touchdowns that year before joining the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. He finished his career second to Tony Gonzalez among tight ends in all-time receiving yards with 13,046. Sanders initially retired after the 2000 season, his 12th in the NFL, but only his first with Washington. After a three-year hiatus, he did not return to play for Washington's franchise. Instead, he joined the Baltimore Ravens for two seasons. He had five interceptions over two seasons with the Ravens before retiring for good in 2006. Cunningham retired after the 1995 NFL season following a release by the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent his first 12 NFL seasons. But one year later, then-Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green convinced him to return, and he spent three seasons with the Vikings. He earned a Pro Bowl nod in 1998 when he threw for 3,704 yards and 34 touchdowns. Cunningham appeared in 12 games for the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens over the next two seasons before finishing his career in 2001. Williams initially retired after his fifth NFL season, and second with the Miami Dolphins. He was only one year removed from rushing for an AFC-best 1,854 yards and 16 touchdowns, and had just led the conference with 392 carries in 2003. He returned to the Dolphins in 2005 and played five more seasons for the franchise, rushing for 1,121 yards in 2009. However, Williams was suspended for the 2006 season after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Williams finished his career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2011. Switching gears to the NBA, six-time champion Michael Jordan retired from the league after his first three-peat with the Chicago Bulls. Among the driving forces for the decision, Jordan's father had passed away in the summer of 1993. Jordan pursued a professional baseball career, but ultimately returned to the Bulls for the 1994-95 NBA season. He led the franchise to another three-peat. He then retired again after the 1998 season, but returned to play for the Washington Wizards from 2001-03. On top of being a six-time champion, Jordan is a Hall of Famer and sits sixth on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Pettitte initially retired after the 2010 MLB season. By that point, he had played 13 seasons with the New York Yankees, interrupted by a three-year stint with the Houston Astros. Pettitte returned in 2012 for two more years with the Yankees. Pettitte helped the Yankees win five World Series rings, including the franchise's most recent championship in 2009 and posted a 3.49 ERA over his final two seasons. Lemieux first retired in 1997 and left the NHL as the greatest points-per-game player in league history. When he returned and re-joined the Pittsburgh Penguins three years later, Lemieux continued to play at that same level. Lemieux played five seasons after his first retirement and led the NHL in points per game during that stretch. That included a 76-point season in his first year back, in which he only played 43 games.

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How Aaron Donald Can Mimic Michael Jordan With His Rams Reunion

Perhaps Aaron Donald spent some of his retirement downtime binge-watching the documentary "The Last Dance." The critically acclaimed series chronicled the inimitable career of Michael Jordan, of course, and concluded with an aging MJ resolutely leading the Chicago Bulls to a sixth championship at 35 years old. That final achievement, which capped off a second three-peat following a 17-month retirement, has preserved Jordan's legacy as the predominant choice for the greatest basketball player of all time. Donald, as a Super Bowl champion, three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner, eight-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowler in his 10 NFL seasons, already has a strong case for being the greatest defensive player in football history. While some might argue for Lawrence Taylor or Reggie White as the defensive G.O.A.T., No. 99’s return to a squad loaded with stars will give him a chance to add to his legacy with even more individual and team hardware. After sitting out the past two seasons, the 35-year-old Donald signed with the Rams on Sunday and joins a frontline featuring not only the best defensive player of today in Myles Garrett, but also a pair of young, athletic pass-rushers in Kobie Turner and Byron Young. The quartet should challenge the "Fearsome Foursome" as the best defensive line in franchise history, while also perhaps making a case as one of the most disruptive units of all time. While Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy are certified legends based on their dominance in the 1960s, the Rams’ new-look frontline could prove just as formidable with four pass-rushing phenoms in the starting lineup. Garrett will dominate the headlines after arriving in a blockbuster offseason trade and recording an NFL-record 23 sacks last year to win his second defensive Player of the Year award. But those developments surely overshadow his effectiveness against the run and tenacity off the edge and how amazingly consistent he's been. The five-time All-Pro has eight straight seasons with at least 10 sacks, including 14 or more in each of the past five seasons, and is averaging 16.5 tackles for loss per season. Measuring 6-foot-4, 277 pounds with freakish athleticism and a dazzling array of moves that would make him a tough guard as an NBA small forward, the 30-year-old Garrett commands double-teams on nearly every snap, leading to more one-on-one opportunities for his talented teammates. While the pairing of Garrett and Donald will undoubtedly create problems for opposing offenses, the Rams’ defensive supporting cast is just as capable of wreaking havoc at the point of attack. Turner has tallied 24 sacks and 27.0 tackles for loss over his three seasons, exhibiting a businesslike game built on effort, energy and heavy hands. He outworks and outlasts blockers at the line, leading to a handful of sacks on hustle plays. Not to be outdone, Young has totaled 27 sacks, 32 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and 61 quarterback hits over three seasons. As a high-motor defender with outstanding first-step quickness and violent hands, the fourth-year pro can win with finesse or force off the edge. Young plays at a breakneck pace and wears down opponents with his "junkyard dog" mentality. With Turner and Young perfectly suited for their new roles beside Garrett, Donald can step in as a designated playmaker on the inside. Despite his advanced age and rustiness following a two-year hiatus, the future Hall of Famer can make his impact operating on a low pitch count that preserves him for the stretch run and postseason where his closing skills are needed. Just as he finished off Super Bowl LVI against the Bengals with fourth-down pressure, Donald will have plenty of chances to register a save out of the bullpen as Garrett’s sidekick on the inside. The duo’s wide array of skills will test the creativity of offensive coordinators tasked with formulating an effective pass protection plan against the Rams’ upgraded frontline. Given the tighter coverage that will also manifest in the secondary with Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watkins now manning the outside cornerback spots, L.A.'s defensive line should have more time to harass those quarterbacks who are forced to chase points after watching a scoreboard explosion from Matthew Stafford and Co. For a team operating under a "Super Bowl or bust" mentality, the addition of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year had already made the Rams the prohibitive favorite to hoist the trophy in their home stadium — again. With Donald now coming back to spearhead the charge, the eventual gold jacket recipient might add more accolades to his exceptional résumé and perhaps cement his legacy as the G.O.A.T. Just like Mike.

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