Aaron Donald isn’t like the average NFL player. He works harder than everyone else, which is part of the reason he’s become one of the greatest of all time.
Comparing anyone to him is unfair to that player because he’s on a different planet from a talent and work ethic perspective, but that’s exactly what the Rams do in the draft.
Buy Rams TicketsGeneral manager Les Snead told ESPN that the Rams have “the AD standard” when it comes to how hard a player works and his passion for football and while they might be able to tell a guy’s talent, they need to make sure he can meet the Donald standard.
“Not just in this draft, but in many drafts, we’ve often somewhat joked, ‘OK, does this meet the AD standard?'” Snead said. “And it’s like, ‘Oh man, I don’t know if he passes the AD test. So we’ve definitely done that over the years as a barometer, as a standard.”
Players try to keep up with Donald’s workouts but they struggle to do so. Desjuan Johnson gave it a shot and he quickly realized just how hard Donald goes in the gym.
“It is hard to keep up, but that just goes to show how bad do you really want it?” Johnson said. “I’d be midworkout and I’m like, ‘Damn, we ain’t done yet,’ he still wants to do some more. I’d just be like, ‘I can’t complain. That’s what it takes to be the best.’ So I tried my best not to complain. I just embraced the moment and towards the end of the camp as we working out, I asked him, ‘S—, you ready? What else you want to do?'”
Donald is a different breed so it’s hardly surprising no one can keep up with him in the weight room. But it’s guys like Kobie Turner and Johnson who are wired the right way. They meet the “AD standard,” which is why the Rams liked their potential in the draft.
