The Los Angeles Rams spent an entire summer building perhaps the most intimidating roster in football.

Then, on the final day, Aaron Donald walked back through the door to make the team even more dangerous.

Donald officially ended his two-year retirement Sunday, returning to the only NFL franchise he’s ever known and immediately transforming an already loaded Rams defense into something that looks almost unfair on paper.

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year agreed to a one-year, $20 million contract that can reach $30 million with incentives, according to multiple reports.

Hours later, there it was in black and white: Aaron Donald — defensive line. One of 53 names on the Rams’ initial roster that was revealed Sunday.

Donald wasn’t the only intriguing decision: Undrafted rookie Wesley Bailey completed one of training camp’s best stories by making the team, while cornerback Cam Lampkin was waived. Josh Wallace made the roster instead. 

Los Angeles also waived promising running back Dean Connors, defensive lineman Tim Keenan III — who we predicted would be the casualty if Donald returned — and edge rusher Darryl Peterson III, while Matthew Caldwell, Justin Dedich and Keagen Trost landed on injured reserve, making room for Bill Murray (no, not that one) to start the season on the roster on the offensive line.

Here’s how the Rams roster will look as they head toward their Sept. 10 opener against San Francisco in Melbourne, Australia:

Aaron Donald’s anticipated return Sunday has transformed an already loaded Los Angeles Rams defense into something that looks almost unfair on paper. Getty Images

Quarterbacks (3) — Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett IV, Ty Simpson

Exactly as expected.

Running backs (3) — Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers

Thursday’s Jarquez Hunter trade essentially revealed this group before Sunday’s deadline.

Williams and Corum give Sean McVay his one-two punch, while Rivers remains the trusted veteran reserve and special-teams contributor.

The difficult casualty was Connors, who caught three touchdown passes during the preseason and made a compelling case to stay.

The Rams rolled the dice that they can get him back.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (No. 12) stands next to wide receiver Davante Adams (No. 17) during training camp in late July. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Wide Receivers (7) — Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith, Konata Mumpfield, Tutu Atwell, CJ Daniels

Seven receivers it is.

Atwell’s surprise return in Thursday’s trade with Miami added another layer to an already deep room, but McVay hinted immediately that the move wouldn’t cost one of the receivers already positioned to make the team.

That was good news for Daniels.

The sixth-round draft pick out of Miami caught 13 passes for 110 yards over the final two preseason games and forced the Rams’ hand.

Tight ends (5) — Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, Terrance Ferguson, Max Klare

Five tight ends sounds excessive until you watch McVay’s offense.

Higbee remains the veteran anchor, while Parkinson, Allen, Ferguson and rookie Klare give Los Angeles enough versatility to turn its multiple tight-end packages into a central component of the offense.

The Rams even turned surplus depth into draft capital Sunday, trading Mark Redman to Green Bay for a 2028 seventh-round pick.

The difficult casualty was promising running back Dean Connors, who caught three touchdown passes during the preseason and made a compelling case to stay. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Offensive linemen (9) — Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, Warren McClendon Jr., David Quessenberry, Beaux Limmer, Dylan McMahon, Bill Murray

Here’s where our projection changed considerably because of injuries: Dedich and Trost went to injured reserve before final cuts, opening the door for Murray and leaving Los Angeles with nine offensive linemen on the initial 53.

With uncertainty still surrounding Jackson’s availability, don’t be surprised if general manager Les Snead continues searching for depth.

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (No. 99) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. in February 2022. USA TODAY Sports

Defensive linemen (6) — Aaron Donald, Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, Tyler Davis, Ty Hamilton

Well, this escalated quickly: Donald joins Turner, Fiske and Ford on the interior while Hamilton grabbed one of the more surprising roster spots.

Keenan, the Rams’ seventh-round pick, was the casualty we suspected might come if Donald returned.

And now consider what defensive coordinator Chris Shula can put on the field: Donald. Garrett. Turner. Fiske. Young.

Good luck deciding whom to double-team.

Donald wasn’t the only intriguing decision: Undrafted rookie Wesley Bailey completed one of training camp’s best stories by making the team. MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Outside linebackers (5) — Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart, Desjuan Johnson, Wesley Bailey

We planted our flag on Bailey; The Rams apparently agreed.

Bailey turned an undrafted free-agent opportunity into one of the best stories of camp, repeatedly flashing as a pass rusher before starting the preseason finale against the team’s city rival Chargers.

Inside linebackers (4) — Nate Landman, Omar Speights, Shaun Dolac, Grant Stuard

No surprises.

Landman and Speights headline a steady group; Dolac gives Shula another young player to develop and Stuard provides valuable special-teams experience.

Cornerbacks (4) — Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Josh Wallace

McDuffie and Watson remain the unquestioned starters, with Forbes Jr. providing intriguing depth. Wallace’s survival suggests the coaching staff valued what he’s shown throughout the entire offseason more than Lampkin’s late preseason push.

Safeties (4) — Quentin Lake, Kam Curl, Kamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough

Perhaps the easiest position group on the roster.

Lake remains the captain and communicator; Curl offers versatility and Kinchens enters the season as a potential breakout candidate.

McCollough rounds out a secondary that suddenly looks dramatically different from a year ago.

Specialists (3) — Harrison Mevis, Ethan Evans, Joe Cardona

After last season’s special-teams headaches, boring would be beautiful.

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