Ultimate NFL 5-Year Re-Draft Using 2021 Through 2025 Classes
Roughly a month ago, all 32 teams added what they hope to be foundational pieces during the 2025 NFL draft. And if the players they selected don't meet expectations, well, there are no do-overs in the NFL.
However, it's certainly fun to consider a football world that did allow the occasional redo and reset. With that in mind, Bleacher Report's Ultimate Five-Year Re-Draft is back for its second edition.
As we did with last year's re-draft, we divided the 32 teams among multiple drafters—NFL writers Moe Moton, Gary Davenport and Kris Knox, NFL editors Ian Hanford and Wes O'Donnell, and staff editors Joey Akeley, Jay Dunbar and Bryan Toporek. The concept for this year's exercise was to prioritize players who are worth building a team around for the long haul.
Unsurprisingly, quarterbacks, elite defenders, top-tier pass-catchers and franchise-caliber linemen dominated the first round.
Before we dive into the first round of our re-draft, let's dive into the ground rules for our alternate-reality NFL.
Methodology
1 of 33
The NFL consistently strives to create parity. For this hypothetical thought exercise, we imagined a league that took its parity quest to the extreme and looked to reset the landscape every five years with brand-new rosters for every franchise.
This theoretical reset began with a 30-round, five-year re-draft that would help shape the young core of each franchise's roster. Players from the 2021-2025 draft classes were eligible to be drafted in this re-draft, and the draft order was determined by each team's record over the past five seasons.
Players who entered the league before 2021 and those who were not selected then headed to free agency, where teams would spend to build their new rosters for 2025 and beyond.
But, each team had the opportunity to use the franchise tag on one veteran player—those ineligible for the re-draft—before the draft, which helped influence draft strategy. Yes, we took a literal approach to the term "franchise player."
The Kansas City Chiefs, for example, tagged Patrick Mahomes and, therefore, were not in the quarterback market.
With all of these factors considered, B/R's panel conducted the first round of its five-year re-draft as follows.
1. Carolina Panthers: Jayden Daniels, QB
2 of 33.jpg?w=684 "Commanders Lions Football")
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Derrick Brown, DT
The Carolina Panthers saw growth from 2023 first overall pick Bryce Young late last season, though Young has a long way to go before proving himself to be a legitimate franchise quarterback.
Jayden Daniels, on the other hand, looked and played like a franchise quarterback pretty much from the moment he took an NFL field. The LSU product, who was originally taken second overall in the 2024 draft, posted a 100.1 QB rating while throwing for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushing for 891 yards and six scores.
The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year took a Washington Commanders team that won four games in 2023 to the NFC Championship Game.
We've seen several promising quarterbacks drafted over the last five years, but Daniels has set himself apart with his combination of ability, poise and leadership skills. He's a very logical choice for the Panthers at No. 1 overall since he gives Carolina an elite young quarterback with virtually no question marks.
And by franchise-tagging 2023 Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown, the Panthers ensure they have a true building block on each side of the football.
2. New York Jets: Micah Parsons, Edge
3 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Quinnen Williams, DT
Our first re-draft surprise came at pick No. 2, as the New York Jets opted to double down on defense—after tagging star defensive lineman Quinnen Williams—by drafting pass-rusher Micah Parsons.
Most expected another quarterback to immediately follow Daniels, but New York's history with young signal-callers weighed heavily on the decision-making.
"Positional value-wise, C.J. Stroud might have been the right play, but this franchise can't be trusted with a young signal-caller," Dunbar said. "While Geno Smith and Sam Darnold have found success elsewhere in recent years, the last time the Jets drafted and developed a quarterback who made at least one Pro Bowl while playing for the team came when they took Ken O’Brien in 1983."
Instead of drafting and potentially mismanaging another young quarterback, the Jets opt to take a "sure thing" in Parsons, a four-time Pro Bowler who was originally drafted 12th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in 2021.
"Give me Micah Parsons—PFF’s second-highest-graded edge-rusher among this group (90.0) behind the injured Aidan Hutchinson (94.9)—as the defensive bedrock," Dunbar added.
In his four NFL seasons, Parsons has amassed 52.5 sacks, 63 tackles for loss and 177 quarterback pressures. He's worthy of the No. 2 selection, especially for a franchise that may be better served taking a QB later in the draft or rolling the proverbial dice in free agency.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: C.J. Stroud, QB
4 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Josh Hines-Allen, Edge
Keeping standout pass-rusher Josh Hines-Allen was a fairly simple decision, but the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't have the easiest of choices when it came to drafting at No. 3.
On one hand, Jacksonville could simply keep quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who was selected first overall in 2021, made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and received a second contract in 2024. On the other, the Jags could opt for a signal-caller they believed more likely to be a true "franchise" quarterback.
The choice stood behind door No. 2, as Jacksonville snagged C.J. Stroud away from the rival Houston Texans.
"Taking a signal-caller was an easy decision for Jaguars GM Jimmy Happyrock—either an NFL team has a quarterback or they don’t," Devenport said. "Stroud backslid a little in 2024 relative to his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2023, but he’s a 23-year-old franchise quarterback with 43 career touchdown passes against just 17 interceptions."
While a massive gap may not exist between Stroud and Lawrence—if one does at all—Stroud does have more playoff wins and fewer durability concerns at this stage in each of their careers.
4. New York Giants: Ja'Marr Chase, WR
5 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Brian Burns, Edge
The New York Giants also had a difficult decision to make, though locking up Brian Burns and ensuring they had at least one premier pass-rusher was an easy call.
New York didn't have the ability to franchise rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart or No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers, which essentially made this a choice between the best receiver or the best quarterback available.
Wideout Ja'Marr Chase, a five-time Pro Bowler originally drafted fifth overall in 2021, got the call.
"Given the Giants' quarterback woes in recent years, Drake Maye was tempting here. But how do you pass up the NFL's reigning Triple Crown winner at wide receiver?" Toporek said. "Ja'Marr Chase would be an ideal security blanket for whomever the Giants would be starting under center, especially since Malik Nabers was a virtual lock to be drafted later on. He'd instantly become the best receiver in New York since prime Odell Beckham Jr."
By stealing Chase away from the Cincinnati Bengals, the Giants ensure they have a premier playmaker leading their offense. They miss out on a quarterback like Maye or Lawrence in the process, but snapping up Dart—who was drafted 25th overall this year—in a later round remains a viable option.
5. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB
6 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): DJ Moore, WR
Caleb Williams didn't have the stellar rookie season that most expected. The first overall pick in the 2024 draft went 5-12 as a starter, posted an 87.8 quarterback rating and was far too often indecisive with the football.
Of course, Williams was stuck playing behind a poor offensive line and an ill-prepared head coach in Matt Eberflus. The quarterback's ceiling is still incredibly high.
If the Bears and new head coach Ben Johnson believe they can put a superior supporting cast around Williams—and keeping star receiver DJ Moore is a great start—it makes sense to bet on him again instead of a slightly more proven quarterback, like Lawrence.
"If you added Trevor Lawrence, as he is right now, to the 2024 draft class with Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and Bo Nix, you'll understand the rationale for this pick," O'Donnell said. "With Jayden gone and the Bears' desire to finally find that franchise QB, Williams is a no-brainer at No. 5 overall. Not often do these exercises coincide with the current NFL landscape, but Williams and the Bears are the perfect fit."
At this stage of a re-draft, teams are either securing proven production or betting on elite upside. Williams still possesses the latter, and the Bears are happy to keep him in Chicago.
6. Houston Texans: Trevor Lawrence, QB
7 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Danielle Hunter, Edge
The Texans have already lost out on C.J. Stroud in our re-draft, and they can't protect edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr., who was drafted third overall in the 2023 draft. So, they keep another talented pass-rusher in Danielle Hunter and target another quarterback in Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence, the first overall pick in 2021, has experienced an up-and-down career with the rival Jaguars. However, Houston has seen Lawrence's highs, the injuries and the disaster that was one-and-done head coach Urban Meyer.
There's plenty of reason to believe that the best version of Lawrence is yet to come.
"Some may view this pick as a bit of a reach after Lawrence struggled the past couple of seasons," Davenport said. "But there’s a reason Lawrence was the first overall pick back in 2021. Lawrence has a Pro Bowl on his professional resume, he has topped 4,000 passing yards twice and he won’t turn 26 until October."
While an argument could be made for securing Anderson and trying to draft a young QB later, Houston decided not to get too cute in the redraft.
"Again, either you have a quarterback or you don’t," Davenport said.
Lawrence is closer to being a franchise guy than a lot of other quarterbacks starting in the NFL today.
7. Atlanta Falcons: Jalen Carter, DT
8 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Chris Lindstrom, G
This may feel high for defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who was originally drafted ninth overall in 2023. However, Carter is a difference-making interior defender who can get after the quarterback and wreck game plans—which he helped do with two QB hits for the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
Carter also just turned 24 in April, and he's already notched 10.5 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, six passes defended, four forced fumbles, 45 solo tackles and one Pro Bowl nod.
The Falcons benefited from having a top-tier defensive tackle in Grady Jarrett for a decade, so they know what one can do for the franchise. Carter has an even higher ceiling, and taking him gives Atlanta an opportunity to build its new team in the trenches first.
Here, the Falcons pair Carter with their franchise pick and three-time Pro Bowl lineman Chris Lindstrom. They'll pass on a quarterback knowing that there's a very good chance Michael Penix Jr.—whom the Falcons drafted eighth overall in 2024—will still be available in Round 2.
There's no chance that Atlanta would get another crack at Carter in the second round.
8. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB
9 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Mike Onwenu, OL
The New England Patriots originally drafted quarterback Drake Maye third overall in 2024. They find him available again at No. 8 in our re-draft. Flipping the switch on the pick was an easy decision.
Dunbar explained:
"As boring as it might be to match up a player with his real team in an exercise of this ilk, this was one of the last chances to land a potential franchise QB, There wasn't another consideration at No. 8 outside Bo Nix, who found more immediate success but has a lower ceiling than the North Carolina product. Despite uninspiring traditional stats as a rookie, Maye flashed on enough plays to more than justify the Patriots' investment in him. No need to overthink this."
Maye showed glimpses of being an elite playmaker during his rookie season and while playing with one of the worst supporting casts in the NFL. By taking Maye here, the Patriots have an opportunity to build a more cohesive team around him rather than simply adding him to a bad roster.
One player worth keeping from that roster is versatile 27-year-old lineman Mike Onwenu, who was ranked 31st among all guards in pass blocking by Pro Football Focus last season.
9. Arizona Cardinals: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge
10 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Kyler Murray, QB
The Arizona Cardinals believe they have their franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray. They wouldn't have given him a five-year, $230.5 million extension three years into his career otherwise, and we wouldn't have seen a new regime look to build around him over the last two years, which we have.
So, giving Murray the franchise tag was a logical choice. When it came to making a selection in our re-draft, it was all about value.
"If [Aidan] Hutchinson hadn't gotten injured, he would have ranked second on my big board," Akeley explained. "I settled on placing him fourth behind Daniels, Chase and Parsons. Getting my fourth-best player at No. 9 overall is great value."
Hutchinson, originally selected second overall in 2022, has looked like a future Defensive Player of the Year when healthy. A broken leg added him to the Detroit Lions' long list of injuries last season, but he accumulated 21 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 92 quarterback pressures and 10 passes defended over his first two seasons.
Drafting Hutchinson might not directly aid Murray, but it would give Arizona an elite defender and ensure the franchise has a cornerstone on each side of the ball.
10. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB
11 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Garett Bolles, OT
Finding a capable starting quarterback means everything in the NFL, and the Denver Broncos know that all too well. After Peyton Manning retired following the 2015 season, Denver went eight straight years without a playoff berth before uncovering Bo Nix in the 2024 draft.
Nix proved to be a strong fit for Sean Payton's offense, finishing the year with a 93.3 passer rating and a 10-7 record. His partnership with Denver's coach appears to have ended a lengthy QB search that involved the likes of Paxton Lynch, Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler, Case Keenum, Drew Lock, Joe Flacco, Teddy Bridgewater, Russell Wilson and Jarrett Stidham.
With Nix still on the board in our re-draft, this was an easy pick.
"There's no need to take Sean Payton's Drew Brees 2.0 experiment away from him," Moton said. "Bo Nix exceeded outside expectations, throwing for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with an average supporting cast last season. The Payton-Nix combination is here to stay and grow in the years to come."
While the Broncos couldn't know that Nix would fall to them again, they could plan for drafting a quarterback. Tagging left tackle Garett Bolles, who was ranked fifth in pass blocking by Pro Football Focus last season, was sensible.
11. Las Vegas Raiders: Travis Hunter, WR/CB
12 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Maxx Crosby, Edge
Quarterbacks like Brock Purdy—who just received a five-year, $265 million extension—Bryce Young, J.J. McCarthy and 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward are still on the board. However, we're at a point where teams have to consider targeting elite players at other positions and coming back for a signal-caller in a later round.
The Las Vegas Raiders took that approach by tagging standout sack artist Maxx Crosby and then drafting the most intriguing prospect in recent memory, Travis Hunter.
Hunter, who played both cornerback and receiver at Colorado, is expected to contribute at both positions for the Jaguars, who selected him second overall in April. His two-way potential gives him an edge over Raiders star Brock Bowers, who might already be the top pass-catching tight end in football.
"A tough choice between All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers and two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter," Moton explained. "That said, a player who can be an All-Pro/Pro Bowler at two positions is better than an elite single-position player. Bowers is proven, but Hunter's upside is too much to pass up in this spot. The Raiders get a lead receiver and an elite cornerback in one pick."
And that pretty much sums up Jacksonville's rationale for trading away a future first-rounder to move up and select Hunter last month. The Jags can feel like they used one first-round pick on Hunter the cornerback and another on Hunter the receiver. The Raiders get both in our re-draft.
12. Washington Commanders: Brock Bowers, TE
13 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Terry McLaurin, WR
The Raiders passed on Brock Bowers to take Travis Hunter, a somewhat surprising choice since there's zero chance of Bowers falling to the second round.
"Let me get this straight. The Raiders, who just watched tight end Brock Bowers set multiple rookie records for them last year, passed on him at No. 11?" Toporek asked.
With Daniels off the board and no quarterback of his caliber remaining, the Commanders snap up a tight end who caught 112 passes for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie. Drafting him here will help set the table for whichever quarterback Washington does land.
"The Commanders were still reeling from losing star quarterback Jayden Daniels, but Bowers proved that he's QB-proof by shattering said records while catching passes from Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell," Toporek said. "A skill-position corps led by Bowers and Terry McLaurin is a cheat code for any quarterback, even though Daniels would no longer be in the nation's capital."
The Commanders would undoubtedly prefer to keep Daniels. Since that's not an option in our re-draft, adding Bowers and hoping to land a signal-caller like Brock Purdy or Cam Ward in Round 2 is a terrific plan.
13. Tennessee Titans: Will Anderson Jr., Edge
14 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Jeffery Simmons, DT
The Tennessee Titans had a tough decision to make at No. 13. They could take Cam Ward—who they took first overall in April—or another quarterback and hope the rest of their roster falls into place. Or, they could pair Jeffery Simmons with another top-tier defender to create a team strength and gamble on a signal-caller being available in Round 2.
With six quarterbacks off the board and another 12 receiving the franchise tag, Tennessee rolls the dice on option No. 2.
"Titans general manager Mikey Bonkerzonki (it’s really not that far off) developed a drinking problem after narrowly missing out on Travis Hunter, but Will Anderson isn’t a bad consolation prize," Davenport said. "Anderson’s 11 sacks a year ago were just scratching the surface of what he can do, and combined with Jeffery Simmons, the new-look Titans have a solid inside-outside duo on the defensive line."
By going with Anderson here, the Titans create the potential to have one of the most dominant defensive fronts in the NFL. As the Eagles proved in February, a disruptive front can help deliver a championship.
And Anderson is, undoubtedly, one of the most disruptive defenders in the NFL. Just two years into his career, he's already amassed 18 sacks, 26 tackles for loss, 61 quarterback pressures and 56 solo tackles.
14. Cleveland Browns: Penei Sewell, OT
15 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Myles Garrett, Edge
The Cleveland Browns opted to tag Myles Garrett, which shouldn't come as a surprise. When the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year requested a trade earlier this offseason, Cleveland handed him a four-year, $160 million extension to stay.
With a chance to start fresh and build around Garrett, the Browns would strongly consider throwing another dart at their longstanding quarterback problem. While Cleveland has long needed a franchise quarterback, though, it has also needed a franchise tackle since Joe Thomas retired in 2018.
Taking Penai Sewell, originally selected seventh overall by the Detroit Lions in 2021, would at least erase one issue.
"With the top QBs off the board, taking the top OT available was an easy choice," Hanford said. "Elite WRs were still on the board, but I wanted to cement the foundation of Cleveland's roster with Myles Garrett being kept."
Garrett is a future Hall of Famer. Sewell, a 24-year-old, two-time first-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, is well on his way. The expansion-era Browns haven't done a lot right, but having an anchor on both the offensive and defensive lines would be a great way to begin another restart.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Rashawn Slater, OT
16 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Quenton Nelson, G
The Sewell selection kicked off a run on offensive tackles, which wasn't in any way surprising. Great ones are extremely difficult to find and tend to make just about everyone else on offense better.
The Indianapolis Colts opted to get in on the run, instead of taking a top defender, to pair with franchise-tag selection Quenton Nelson.
"The Colts gave serious consideration to taking reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II here, but instead the choice was made to build from the trenches out," Davenport said. "A cornerstone left tackle just entering the prime of his career, Rashawn Slater has already made a pair of Pro Bowls, and he was PFF’s second-highest graded tackle in 2024."
The 26-year-old—originally drafted 13th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021—is indeed only entering his prime and could anchor the Colts' roster for close to a decade. Pairing him with Nelson, a seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro, would give Indy a team strength in the trenches.
This wouldn't end the Colts' search for a franchise quarterback, but it would help set up virtually any signal-caller for success.
16. New Orleans Saints: Joe Alt, OT
17 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Erik McCoy, C
Settling on a keeper for the New Orleans Saints was a bit tricky. Many of the team's best players are either older—Alvin Kamara will turn 30 in July—or were drafted within the last five years (Chris Olave, Bryan Bresee).
After some careful consideration, center Erik McCoy became the choice. While he finished the 2024 season on injured reserve with a groin injury, he's a two-time Pro Bowler and still only 27 years old.
For the Saints, building up the offensive line would make sense. They need a franchise quarterback, but they also need to be able to protect whoever they have behind center.
New Orleans has prioritized the offensive line in recent years, using first-round picks on Trevor Penning, Taliese Fuaga and Kelvin Banks Jr. In our re-draft, the Saints snap up Joe Alt, who was originally taken fifth overall by the Chargers in 2024.
While Alt has just one year of NFL experience on his resume, he already looks like a future star.
"While he isn't the most powerful blocker and will concede some initial ground in his anchor, Alt has virtually every other tool and skill to become an immediate impact starter at left tackle with the runway to continue ascending and cement his status as a foundational piece of a roster," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department wrote of Alt before the 2024 draft.
As a rookie, Alt was ranked 19th overall among all tackles by Pro Football Focus. Pairing him with McCoy would give New Orleans the bedrock of a potentially elite offensive line.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Brian Thomas Jr., WR
18 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Justin Herbert, QB
The Chargers tagged quarterback Justin Herbert, which should come as anything but a surprise. While Herbert hasn't quite had the same individual success as 2020 draft-mate Joe Burrow, he's also lacked the top-tier receiving corps that Burrow has enjoyed.
Los Angeles looks to remedy the situation by taking 2024 first-round pick Brian Thomas Jr. in our re-draft.
"Are you tired of hearing about how overrated Justin Herbert has been over the last five years?" Moton said. "Well, let's put all that nonsense to bed, giving him Brian Thomas Jr., an ascending receiver who beats defenders on short-to-intermediate routes and big plays downfield. With Thomas, Herbert would immediately add another 5,000-plus-yard passing season to his resume."
Thomas isn't as proven as some other receivers still available in our re-draft. However, he was electric as a rookie last season. Taken by the Jaguars with the 23rd overall selection, the LSU product went on to rack up 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns while spending nearly half the season with Mac Jones at quarterback.
Jones, for context, averaged just 201 passing yards across his seven starts in 2024. As Moton noted, Thomas and Herbert (267 yards per game) would make for quite the prolific pairing.
18. Detroit Lions: Malik Nabers, WR
19 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Jared Goff, QB
The Lions took a look at the Chargers' strategy and said "Hey, let's do that."
Detroit opted to keep quarterback Jared Goff, who is now a four-time Pro Bowler who will only turn 31 in October. Pairing him with a promising and productive young receiver would lay the foundation for a productive passing attack.
"With Jared Goff as the keeper selection, the question of 'who helps Goff the most?' weighed heavily in this decision," O'Donnell explained. "The Lions certainly could've bolstered their defense as a slew of defenders came off the board after this pick, but Nabers is the type of weapon that can make a QB look good even if he's off his game."
Nabers, for the record, tallied 1,204 yards and seven receptions last season while playing with a quarterback rotation of Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle. He has the potential to bail out Goff even more effectively than current No. 1 receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
"Goff has proven pretty reliable, but he hasn't had a truly dynamic weapon during his time in Detroit (nothing against ASB, different style players), but if Goff sees any regression, Nabers is more likely to salvage poor throws than anyone else on the board," O'Donnell said.
Nabers was originally selected sixth overall by the Giants in 2024. He goes to the Lions here in the re-draft.
19. Cincinnati Bengals: Pat Surtain II, CB
20 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Joe Burrow, QB
Is anyone surprised that Joe Burrow was the franchise-tag selection for Cincinnati? They shouldn't be. While Burrow has ended two of his five seasons on injured reserve, he's also been among the league's most prolific passers when healthy.
This past season, Burrow led the league in passing yards (4,918), passing touchdowns (43) and completions (460). Of course, he's been aided tremendously by standout receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Higgins isn't draft-eligible in this exercise, and Chase is already off the board. Pairing Burrow with another top receiver would be logical, but an argument could be made that he's good enough to succeed with second-tier receivers. A tackle could also make sense—Burrow has been sacked 196 times in the regular season alone—but the upside of adding Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II was too great to ignore.
"I was surprised Surtain lasted this long," Hanford said. "He's the 25-year-old reigning DPOY at a premium position. Joe Burrow finally has an elite defensive counterpart in Cincy."
Burrow hasn't benefited from having a top-tier defense as a pro and has continually been asked to carry the entire team. Surtain, who was originally drafted ninth overall by Denver in 2021, would be a great player around whom to build a playoff-caliber defense.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Kyle Hamilton, S
21 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Leonard Williams, DL
The Seattle Seahawks could opt to keep quarterback Sam Darnold, who was added in free agency this offseason. However, Darnold's resume includes just one season of high-level play, which he achieved while playing with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson last season.
Instead, Seattle opts to keep defensive lineman Leonard Williams, a two-time Pro Bowler who logged 11 sacks last season. With a defensive coach in Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks look to pair Williams with Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton.
Hamilton, originally drafted 14th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in 2022, has already earned two Pro Bowl selections and one first-team All-Pro nod. He has experience playing under Macdonald, formerly Baltimore's defensive coordinator, and would be a logical target for a defensive overhaul in Seattle.
"The Seahawks were one of just four teams to go defense-defense with their first-round pick and their keeper," Akeley said. "Macdonald would have two building blocks for a dominant defense."
Last season, Hamilton and Williams combined for 171 tackles, 13 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 12 passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and 34 quartarback hits.
21. Miami Dolphins: Sauce Gardner, CB
22 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Tua Tagovailoa, QB
Tua Tagovailoa was the only truly logical choice for the Miami Dolphins franchise tag, even though he has a concerning injury history. The fact that he has suffered multiple concussions during his NFL career also made it tricky to settle on a selection in this re-draft.
An offensive tackle would have been plenty logical, though Miami ultimately chased value and got a defensive centerpiece in Sauce Gardner.
"The plan was to protect Tua Tagovailoa's brain and get him an elite blindside tackle, even if that meant swinging someone from left to right, but Sewell, Slater and Alt all went consecutively in the early teens," Dunbar explained. "In hindsight, Christian Darrisaw or rookie Will Campbell might have been the smarter play, but it was tough to pass up the chance to get a corner of Gardner's talent."
Gardner, who was originally drafted fourth overall by the Jets in 2022, is a two-time first-team All-Pro who could help give Tagovailoa something he's rarely had in Miami, a top-tier defense.
"Despite issues with missed tackles in a down 2024, he still ranked among PFF's top 100 players and at 24 is still plenty young enough to regain the elite status he held the two previous years," Dunbar said.
By keeping Tagovailoa and drafting Gardner, the Dolphins give themselves a franchise cornerstone on each side of the ball.
22. San Francisco 49ers: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR
23 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Nick Bosa, Edge
It couldn't possibly hurt to start a franchise with a premier pass-rusher and a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback. The San Francisco 49ers have one piece of the puzzle in pass-rusher Nick Bosa, who received the franchise tag here.
In our re-draft exercise, though, the 49ers opted not to draft Brock Purdy, who could be viewed as a franchise-caliber player and who recently received a five-year, $265 million extension. The reason? Kyle Shanahan's QB-friendly offense simply made the position less of a priority.
"The one big advantage of having Shanahan is his ability to raise the level of his quarterback's play—just ask Matt Ryan, Jimmy Garoppolo and Purdy," Akeley said. "Instead of using a first-round pick on Purdy or a different QB, I chose to lean into that advantage on the premise that he can take just about any decent QB and produce an above-average offense."
To fill the need for a No. 1 receiver, San Francisco poached Marvin Harrison Jr. away from the rival Cardinals. While Harrison didn't have the most impressive numbers as a rookie and isn't nearly as proven as some other receivers still available, it's worth noting that he was the top overall prospect on the B/R Scouting Department's final 2024 draft board.
"The best version of Shanahan's offense had an elite receiver in Julio Jones, and with all due respect to Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Drake London and Nico Collins, Harrison has the highest ceiling of any receiver left," Akeley said. "He's also the least accomplished of that quintet, so this pick will look dubious if he doesn't have a much more productive 2025 season."
23. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, Edge
24 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Matthew Stafford, QB
The Los Angeles Rams decided to tag Matthew Stafford, even though he's 37 and was given permission to discuss contracts with other teams this offseason. Keeping Stafford could give L.A. its best chance to win a Super Bowl over the next few years, though getting younger at the position could make sense.
It could also make sense to draft a productive young receiver, like current Rams star Puka Nacua, to aid Stafford too. However, L.A. instead decided to go after a premier defensive talent in Jared Verse.
"Nacua was given lots of consideration, but you can't pass on a 24-year-old pass-rusher who had the most pressures of any rookie in the last five years," Akeley said.
If we're talking about potential franchise building blocks, it is hard to look past a 24-year-old pass-rusher who logged 18 quarterback hits and 11 tackles for loss as a rookie. Another factor to consider here is that Stafford and head coach Sean McVay complement one another so well that L.A. could likely field a very good offense without a true No. 1 receiver.
It would be harder to build a championship-caliber defense without a top-tier sack artist, and Verse—who was originally drafted 19th overall by the Rams in 2024—has the potential to be one.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Puka Nacua, WR
25 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): CeeDee Lamb, WR
The Dallas Cowboys decided to tag wideout CeeDee Lamb instead of quarterback Dak Prescott, which isn't the most outlandish idea when viewed through a long-term lens.
Lamb is a truly elite receiver who only turned 26 in April. Prescott is a good-not-great quarterback who is coming off a significant hamstring injury and will turn 32 in July.
Dallas can find another answer at quarterback, chose to tag Lamb and turned to its need for a No. 2 receiver in the re-draft.
"The Cowboys have been desperately searching for a No. 2 wide receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb, so much so that they just saddled first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer with George Pickens in a contract year. What could go wrong?" Toporek said.
To fill that No. 2 role, the Cowboys grabbed Nacua one pick after the Rams passed on him. Though he did miss time with a PCL injury last season, he's a terrific perimeter ball-winner who has amassed 2,476 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 28 NFL appearances.
Nacua's potential fit next to Lamb earned him the nod over other available receivers.
"Amon-Ra St. Brown was hard to pass on here, but both he and Lamb tend to thrive in the slot, which raised concerns about potential overlap," Toporek said. "Instead, the Cowboys took an alpha outside receiver in Nacua, whose toughness and run-blocking ability would help set the tone for their entire offense."
Lamb and Nacua would be an incredibly tough receiver duo to defend, regardless of who Dallas has behind center.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Bijan Robinson, RB
26 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Justin Jefferson, WR
The Minnesota Vikings could have taken quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who was originally selected in the first round of the 2024 draft but missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury.
The uncertainty surrounding McCarthy's NFL floor, however, caused Minnesota to go in a different direction to aid franchise player Justin Jefferson.
"What better way to help keeper star Justin Jefferson than giving him a dynamic RB who'll keep the defense honest?" O'Donnell said. "We know RBs have been/can be devalued in today's NFL, but Bijan Robinson's draft pedigree speaks for itself, and the idea of him and Jefferson flummoxing defenses is incredibly enticing."
Indeed, the idea of pairing Jefferson with an elite running-receiving threat like Robinson in the same offense is intriguing. Last year, the two combined for 1,459 rushing yards, 1,964 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns.
And Robinson, who often works in tandem with Falcons back Tyler Allgeier, may only be scratching the surface of his statistical potential.
"Bijan's pre-draft ranking (9.0 grade) was among the highest the B/R NFL Scouting Department has ever produced," O'Donnell said. "His playmaking ability transcends position and is what I'd consider a steal here at No. 25. "
Robinson was originally drafted eighth overall by Atlanta in 2023.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR
27 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): T.J. Watt, Edge
Keeping star pass-rusher T.J. Watt was a fairly easy choice for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Figuring out who to pair with Watt was a bit trickier of a challenge. The Steelers have needed a franchise-caliber quarterback ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Of course, they've also struggled to provide their signal-callers with a strong supporting cast.
This led Pittsburgh to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in our re-draft.
"I debated Brock Purdy here given the Steelers' QB woes but couldn't bring myself to do it. Instead, give me a gritty, YAC merchant at WR who should help whoever is behind center in Pittsburgh," Hanford said.
St. Brown is certainly a player capable of making his quarterback better. Originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 draft by Detroit, the USC product has tallied 4,851 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns in only four pro seasons. He's the most prolific receiver left on the board and exactly the sort of true No. 1 target Pittsburgh has long lacked.
Whoever ends up behind center for Pittsburgh would benefit from having St. Brown on the other end of his passes.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Drake London, WR
28 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Baker Mayfield, QB
Settling on a franchise player was much more difficult for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers than making a draft pick at No. 27.
On one hand, offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs is a four-time Pro Bowler who has played at an elite level on each side of the line. On the other hand, the Buccaneers stumbled into an above-average quarterback when they signed Baker Mayfield two offseasons ago.
In two seasons with the Bucs, Mayfield has helped deliver two division titles and one playoff win, and he has two appearances in the Pro Bowl. Pro Football Focus graded him as a top-10 quarterback in passing and overall last season.
What Mayfield has had in Tampa that he didn't have in other stops has been a strong supporting cast. After making him the franchise pick, the Bucs opt to pair hm with a terrific young receiver.
Drake London, originally drafted eighth overall by the Falcons in 2022, emerged as a top-tier receiver this past season. He caught 100 passes for 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns. His 6'4", 213-pound frame can make him a jump-ball mismatch, not wholly unlike Mayfield's current favorite target, Mike Evans.
London isn't Evans, at least not yet. However, he'd potentially give the 30-year-old Mayfield a No. 1 receiver for the duration of his playing career.
28. Philadelphia Eagles: Nico Collins, WR
29 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Jalen Hurts, QB
With quarterback Jalen Hurts the logical keeper pick for the Philadelphia Eagles, the draft decision was between building his offensive line and adding a top-tier pass-catcher.
"Creed Humphrey was tempting here. If any team appreciates the value of a dominant center, it's the Eagles," Toporek said.
Ultimately, Philly settled on a wide receiver to serve as Hurts' new receiving target.
"The Eagles went with Nico Collins to give Hurts a dominant outside weapon," Toporek said. "We've only seen brief glimpses of Hurts without DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, but their passing game nosedived with those two sidelined. Collins would help the reigning Super Bowl champions in their quest to go back-to-back."
Collins, originally taken by Houston in the third round of the 2021 draft, has emerged as an upper-echelon receiver over the past two seasons. While he missed time with a hamstring injury last year, he still caught 148 passes for 2,303 yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two.
The Texans got a legitimate steal when they snagged Collins a few years ago. Philly finds solid value by landing him here.
29. Green Bay Packers: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB
30 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Jordan Love, QB
Seeing the Green Bay Packers tag Jordan Love should be surprising. Though he hasn't quite reached elite status yet, he's led back-to-back playoff campaigns in two years as a starter and is only 26 years old.
Unfortunately, finding a proven and elite receiver to pair with Love at this stage in the re-draft isn't happening. Instead, the Packers pivot to a running back, specifically one who is a game-changing pass-catcher.
"Josh Jacobs is a great player, but the Packers suffered when trying to adopt a run-heavy game plan in 2024," O'Donnell said. "Their injuries at wide receiver didn't help the situation, but what Jahmyr Gibbs brings to the table as an all-around weapon is already well known in Green Bay."
The Packers have been on the wrong end of Gibbs' success the past two seasons. The Alabama product was originally drafted 12th overall by the Lions in 2023. Over the past two years, he's delivered 3,190 scrimmage yards and 31 touchdowns to the back-to-back NFC North champs.
In our re-draft, the Packers turn an enemy into an ally and find an elite playmaker to support Love.
"Gibbs could be the tipping point of turning the Pack from a solid playoff team to a perennial NFC title contender," O'Donnell said. "Can't pass up that opportunity with a QB still trying to complete his game."
30. Baltimore Ravens: Trey McBride, TE
31 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Lamar Jackson, QB
There were no surprises when it came to the Baltimore Ravens' franchise tag selection. Lamar Jackson is a top-tier quarterback, a two-time MVP and one of the most dynamic signal-callers in the history of the NFL.
Baltimore could have considered a number of avenues when it came to supporting its quarterback. Given the players still available, though, the Ravens settled on Pro Bowl tight end Trey McBride.
"Jackson was kept, and we know he has great chemistry with current Baltimore TE Mark Andrews," Hanford explained. "So why not upgrade with arguably the game's top young TE? Maybe McBride can actually turn more of his catches into TDs with Jackson throwing him the ball, too."
Along with Brock Bowers, McBride is certainly in the conversation for the best young tight end in football. The 25-year-old was originally drafted by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2022 draft and has exploded over the past two seasons.
In 2024 alone, McBride caught 111 passes for 1,146 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson's chemistry with Andrews has been undeniable, but it's hard not to imagine an even more productive tandem in Jackson and McBride.
31. Buffalo Bills: Abdul Carter, Edge
32 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Josh Allen, QB
Josh Allen is on the short list of top NFL quarterbacks, along with Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts and Joe Burrow. Like those signal-callers, he was an easy keeper choice for the Buffalo Bills.
The beauty of keeping Allen is that we've seen him successfully helm a variety of Buffalo offenses. Whether he's had a true No. 1 receiver like Stefon Diggs, a top-tier running game, both or neither, he's consistently kept the Bills in the Super Bowl conversation.
"Sure, the temptation was real to get Josh Allen at true No. 1 wideout, but the group was thin by this point and Allen is plenty talented enough to carry a middling receiver room," Dunbar said.
That's why Buffalo was firmly focused on its defense in our re-draft. Rookie pass-rusher Abdul Carter was picked to help the Bills finally overcome their biggest postseason obstacle.
"This pick was about one thing: Getting the Bills over the hump against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs," Dunbar said. "Who better to do that with than one of the two true blue-chippers in this year's draft class in Carter? Carter is the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's third-highest-rated edge prospect over the last half-decade and would be sorely needed to put Mahomes on his backside."
While Carter has yet to prove himself in the NFL, he was viewed as an elite draft prospect and was quickly gobbled up by the Giants with the third overall pick in April's draft. One could easily argue that, even based on potential alone, getting Carter at No. 31 is a steal.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Christian Darrisaw, OT
33 of 33
Franchise Tag Selection (pre-2021 draft): Patrick Mahomes, QB
The Chiefs kept quarterback Patrick Mahomes, obviously. The Texas Tech product won't even turn 30 until September but could retire tomorrow and be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
To aid Mahomes, Kansas City targets the one thing it most sorely lacked in 2024—a reliable left tackle. The Chiefs opt for Christian Darrisaw, even though he's coming off of a torn ACL and MCL.
"The Chiefs have been looking for a solution at left tackle," Moton said. "Darrisaw will stop that revolving door on Mahomes' blind side. Only 25 with his best football ahead of him, Darrisaw will be the most valuable non-quarterback in the Chiefs offense. Somewhere, Mahomes is smiling about the addition of his new bodyguard."
Darrisaw, who was originally drafted 23rd overall by the Vikings in 2021, indeed has the potential to be an elite left tackle. Pro Football Focus graded him as the league's 11th-best tackle, overall, for his work last season before the injury.
The rationale for taking Darrisaw over a receiver like Garrett Wilson or a tight end like Sam LaPorta is fairly straightforward. We've seen Mahomes find success with all sorts of different skill-player configurations. Both times he's been humbled in the Super Bowl, it's come as the result of subpar pass protection.
It's only logical to give the best quarterback in the game the best offensive lineman left on the board.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")