Imagine a world where Aaron Donald, arguably the greatest interior defensive lineman in NFL history, lined up as an outside linebacker. It almost happened, and the story behind it is wild.

Back in 2014, Donald was a dominant force at Pitt and one of the most coveted prospects in the draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers, picking at No. 15, knew him well and had a realistic shot at landing him—either on the board or via a trade-up. But the plan for Donald wasn't what you'd expect.

Speaking on the "Not Just Football Podcast" with Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward, Donald revealed that Pittsburgh wanted to move him to outside linebacker. At 6-foot-1 and 285 pounds, Donald was built to wreck havoc on the interior—and he did just that, becoming a Hall of Fame-caliber disruptor. The idea of him dropping into coverage or rushing from the edge seems almost comical now.

Under head coach Mike Tomlin and legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, the Steelers ultimately passed on the local star. Instead, they selected linebacker Ryan Shazier at No. 15, a player who showed immense promise before a career-altering injury.

It's one of those "what if" moments that makes draft history so fascinating. For Steelers fans, it's a reminder that even the best-laid plans can sometimes overlook greatness right in their backyard.