Aaron Donald has heard 'a lot of good things' about Rams rookie Paris Ford

Aaron Donald has heard 'a lot of good things' about Rams rookie Paris Ford

From what Aaron Donald has heard, undrafted rookie Paris Ford has impressed the Rams already.

theramswire.usatoday.com

Aaron Donald has heard 'a lot of good things' about Rams rookie Paris Ford​

Aaron Donald has split time between Los Angeles and Pittsburgh this offseason, as he does every year. He still trains daily and puts in more work than probably any other NFL player, but he doesn’t attend every practice and session the Rams hold before training camp.

However, while he’s been in Pittsburgh, he’s heard good things about Rams rookie Paris Ford, who L.A. signed as an undrafted free agent this year. Donald is willing to help the young safety any way he can, whether it’s on the field or with the playbook, hoping he makes the 53-man roster.

“I’ve been hearing a lot of good things. I wasn’t there, but I’ve been hearing a lot of good things as far as how he’s been doing,” Donald said of Ford, via John McGonigal of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “But once you put some pads on, he’s got to do a lot more and make a name for himself. But anything I can do to help him, I’m there. He just has to come up and talk to me. If it’s the playbook or something else I can do, I’m for sure going to be there to help him. I hope he makes the team. And I know at the end of the day the type of football player he is. He can help us.”

Ford has the ability to play both safety and corner, putting together a strong career at Pitt. He racked up 136 total tackles, 5.5 sacks and six interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. He also broke up 10 passes and forced three fumbles, with nine of those PBUs coming in 2019.

The Rams could use depth in the secondary following the departures of Troy Hill and John Johnson, and although it’s unlikely Ford will play a major role as a rookie if he makes the team, he could be active on game days if injuries occur to other players.

Having Donald in his corner as a mentor certainly helps, but as Aaron said: It will come down to training camp when the pads go on. That will be Ford’s real opportunity to step up and showcase his abilities to the coaching staff.

 

[Loyal]

Never heard of him.

 

[Ramstien]

After reading that how does a player like that go undrafted? There has to be some holes in his game or issues regarding his character.

 

[Allen2McVay]

After reading that how does a player like that go undrafted? There has to be some holes in his game or issues regarding his character.

It was reported that Ford's forty-yard-times at his Pro Day were 4.9 and 4.83 .

That will drop a DB into the late rounds or even out of the Draft.

 

[nighttrain]

lineman run faster 40's
train

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

lineman run faster 40's
train

Heck train, I bet even you could beat those times!

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[RamsSince1969]

Fun Fact William "The Refrigerator" Perry ran a 4.8!

 

[Ramstien]

It was reported that Ford's forty-yard-times at his Pro Day were 4.9 and 4.83 .

That will drop a DB into the late rounds or even out of the Draft.

Well that does explain why he fell out of the draft.

 

[nighttrain]

if Ford was not very ill at that 40, the only way he covers NFL WRer's is by tackling them at the line of scrimmage
train

 

[I like Rams]

Aaron Donald on waterboy from Pitt looking to join Rams: he's a good dude, he delivers a quality product. I hope we decide to keep him, he brings an essential element to our team.

 

[Psycho_X]

I think Ford can be a really good box safety but we already have several players like that. AD loves talking up his Pitt guys and Ford also works out with AD so this isn't surprising he's talking him up. Ford likely spends this season on the practice squad and possibly finds a role later on down the road with us. Barring an injury to someone like Rapp which might accelerate Ford's time on the active roster if he sticks around past preseason.

 

[André]

The magazine I bought before the draft had him going in the fourth round. I'm kind of excited about him to be honest.

 

[PhillyRam]

Yeah, I saw him listed in the top 100 on some websites... Then somewhere I did read about off the field concerns along with the poor 40.

His highlights look good, he hits like a truck and considered to have great instincts. Hopefully it was a messed up 40 and he can run closer to 4.5 or 4.6

 

[Tano]

Aaron Donald on waterboy from Pitt looking to join Rams: he's a good dude, he delivers a quality product. I hope we decide to keep him, he brings an essential element to our team.

 

[ramfan46]

He might be like Burfict. Can't run against air to save his life, but understands the game and puts himself in position to make plays. He needs to make an early impression in camp to have a shot, imo.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

Ford is from Pittsburg like AD and has trained with him in the offseason. Of course AD is going say nice things about him and wish him the best.

Honestly, this story was not worth writing. AD hasn't even seen him play...he just heard he's doing alright so far lol.