Here’s a look back at the 1996 NFL Draft to see who the teams would take if they could do it over knowing what they know today. This was a lot of fun making. I hope you enjoy it.
No. 1 New York Jets—Ray Lewis
If the Jets could do it over, they would gladly part ways with Keyshawn Johnson for a 10-time Pro Bowl linebacker. They both are very outspoken, but Ray Lewis is a motivator and Keyshawn doesn’t quite fit that bill.
No. 2 Jacksonville Jaguars—Jonathan Ogden
Jacksonville would jump at the chance to replace LB Kevin Hardy with an 11-time Pro Bowl left tackle. Ogden has been a fixture on Baltimore’s offensive line since his rookie season. What an amazing draft Baltimore had.
No. 3 Arizona Cardinals—Marvin Harrison
The Cardinals might be tempted to take T.O., but Marvin was more polished coming out of school, and until recently didn’t have any off-field issues. Harrison is an eight-time Pro Bowler, and is second all-time in receptions, fourth in receiving yards, and fifth in TDs.
No. 4 Baltimore Ravens—Zach Thomas
Baltimore would make up for losing Ray Lewis later in the round by grabbing seven-time Pro Bowl LB Zach Thomas. He’s not Ray Ray, but he is a tackling machine with great football instincts.
No. 5 New York Giants—Brian Dawkins
This pick is as much about adding a seven-time Pro Bowl safety as it is about taking the emotional leader away from a divisional foe.
No. 6 St. Louis Rams—Terrell Owens
Instead of gambling on Lawrence Phillips and his character flaws, the Rams would go with T.O. and his character flaws. At least T.O.’s still allowed him to be a productive football player.
It’s amazing that a WR that’s sixth in receptions, fifth in yards, and second in TDs would slide to sixth, but I don’t have to fill you in as to why he slid this far. Like it or not, the dude can play though. He gives it his all. Throw him into the mix and the Greatest Show on Turf would be even better. That is until he throws Kurt Warner under the bus.
No. 7 New England Patriots—Tedy Bruschi
He doesn’t have the gaudy numbers like the previous selections, but Bruschi has meant so much more than his numbers reflect for the Patriots over the years. They would not let him slip away.
No. 8 Carolina Panthers—Eddie George
The Panthers actually selected someone I hadn’t thought of in a long time…Michigan RB Tim Biakabutuka. Even though his last name is an all-timer, they would easily trade his services for college rival Eddie George of Ohio State. Eddie ran for over 10,000 yards with 68 rushing TDs.
No. 9 Oakland Raiders—Simeon Rice
Wouldn’t three-time Pro Bowler Simeon Rice and his 122 career Sacks be perfect for the Black & Silver? At least the Raiders of old when they actually intimidated QBs.
No. 10 Cincinnati Bengals—Willie Anderson
The first pick that stays the same. Anderson is a four-time Pro Bowl right tackle that paved the way for Corey Dillon and Rudi Johnson. You don’t turn that away.
No. 11 New Orleans Saints—Joe Horn
He was originally drafted by Kansas City with the 135th pick and signed as a free agent with New Orleans in 2000. He responded by being named to four of the next five Pro Bowls for the Saints. The Saints would not let one of their best WRs in team history (along with Eric Martin) get away.
No. 12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Muhsin Muhammad
They didn’t do much with their selection of Regan Upshaw, so why not take Muhsin Muhammad in this WR heavy draft?
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