Re-Drafting the 2024 NFL Draft Ahead of NFC, AFC Championship Games

The 2024 draft class felt destined to change the league when half of the first 12 picks were quarterbacks.

Not all of the passers have delivered, but it hasn't taken long for the draft class to make its mark on the league.

Bo Nix and Drake Maye will face off in the AFC Championship Game. Jayden Daniels led the Commanders to the NFC title game last season, and Caleb Williams came oh-so-close to getting the Bears there.

Brock Bowers and Jared Verse are both already two-time Pro Bowl selections. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean were crucial to the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl run last season and earned All-Pro honors this season.

It's a year when the draft is going to be analyzed for a long time to see what could have happened if the event had played out differently.

That's exactly what we'll set out to do here. Let's take a look at what the selections would look like if teams could go back and get a do-over in a stacked class.

1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina): QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

Patriots QB Drake Maye

Original Selection: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

The Chicago Bears decision to pick Caleb Williams looks a lot better after two years than it did after Year 1. That being said, it's hard to pass up on a player who has been a legitimate MVP candidate in his second season.

Williams was No. 1 on most big board, but Maye had some fans as QB1 in the class. Thus far, Maye is making a strong case.

The former North Carolina quarterback led the league in Total QBR at 77.2. For comparison, Williams ranked 16th this season.

Both quarterbacks have led their team to the playoffs and brought new life to their franchises. However, Maye's consistency and second-year leap gives him the edge in his re-draft.

2. Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

AP Photo/Matt Krohn

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels

Original Selection: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

The Commanders would have to think about this pick a lot longer after this season than they did Daniels' rookie season. Daniels only played seven games this season because he was banged up.

The question of his durability could have led to the Commanders going with Caleb Williams in this spot. However, the fact that Daniels has already taken this franchise to the NFC Championship Game is hard to ignore.

"Jayden has such poise in these winning time moments and that is contagious as well," Dan Quinn said during the 2024 postseason.

The quarterback's dual-threat capabilities and instant offense give him a different dimension. His ability to lift the offense in 2024 and maintain his metrics into 2025 still make him the second pick if they got a do-over.

3. New England Patriots: QB Caleb Williams, USC

AP Photo/Nam Huh

Bears QB Caleb Williams

Original Selection: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

The Patriots miss out on their current franchise savior in this re-draft, but they still land one of the franchise-altering talents in this draft.

Williams has proven that he can lead a team into the playoffs when given the right structure and coaching staff. The marriage of the talented quarterback and Ben Johnson has proven to be fruitful for Chicago.

The second-year quarterback's rookie season probably caught too much criticism. He took 68 sacks, but that could partially be blamed on scheme and offensive line issues. With line improvements and Johnson calling the offense, he cut that number down to 24 this season.

Williams has proven that he can win in the cold and windy conditions of Chicago. He would be able to provide the same results in Boston so the Patriots still wind up becoming a rising threat in the AFC.

4. Arizona Cardinals: QB Bo Nix, Oregon

AP Photo/Eric Lutzens

Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix

Original Selection: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Here's where the revisionist history can really kick in. The Cardinals weren't even in a position to be thinking about quarterback because Kyler Murray was just starting the contract extension that he signed in 2022.

That extension has aged like milk, though. The 28-year-old only played five games in 2025 due to injury, and his future with the franchise is expected to be a point of conversation this offseason.

Fixing the quarterback position this offseason could prove to be difficult. It isn't a deep QB class and the free-agent options are going to be unproven.

However, taking Bo Nix with the fourth overall pick is a simple fix. Nix has had the benefit of a great quarterback-friendly coach in Sean Payton and an elite defense, but he was 15th in Total QBR this season. That's one spot ahead of Caleb Williams.

Having Nix on the roster would make this opening a lot more attractive for prospective head coaches.

5. Los Angeles Chargers: Edge Jared Verse, Florida State

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Rams Edge Jared Verse

Original Selection: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Joe Alt was a logical selection to kick off the Jim Harbaugh-Joe Hortiz era. He was the best offensive lineman in the draft and has looked like he was worth the pick when he's been on the field.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for a lot of his second season. He injured his right ankle twice this year, limiting him to just six games this season.

This year, the Chargers will go into the offseason looking for help at edge-rusher. They'd be less pressed to fill that need if they had drafted Jared Verse, though. The former Florida State Seminole built on a solid rookie season this year.

His 7.5 sacks might not jump off the page, but he was ranked 10th among all edge-rushers in PFF grade, been a menace to quarterbacks in the postseason and registered more pressures this season than any other outside linebacker.

In short, he's exactly who the Chargers need on defense with a cleaner bill of health than Alt.

6. New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers, LSU

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

Giants WR Malik Nabers

Original Selection: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

The opportunity to create a bookend tackle duo of Andrew Thomas Jr. and Joe Alt moving forward for Jaxson Dart is tempting.

But then comes the reminder that Malik Nabers posted 109 receptions for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie with Daniel Jones, Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito throwing him the ball. That's special talent.

Nabers was fifth overall among all receivers in ESPN's receiver scores as a rookie. He led the league with a 91 "open" score, highlighting his ability to create separation. It's that ability that is going to make him the focal point of the Giants' passing game for years to come.

Nabers is shaping up to be the kind of explosive No. 1 option that John Harbaugh hasn't had in a long time during his time with the Baltimore Ravens.

7. Tennessee Titans: OT Joe Alt

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Chargers OT Joe Alt

Original Selection: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

It's tempting to get a real No. 1 weapon for Cam Ward in this spot. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Brock Bowers are both on the board.

However, Cam Ward is not going to properly develop if Tennessee can't protect him and Joe Alt would go a long way toward making sure that happens. Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and right tackle JC Latham combined to surrender 16 sacks this season, per Sports Info Solutions.

Meanwhile, Alt was an elite left tackle at Notre Dame who has shown the ability to play on the right side as well. He's already playing at an elite level when he's been on the field and even earned a Pro Bowl nod despite playing in just six games this season due to an ankle injury.

Taking Alt would keep Ward upright and give the Titans offense a good shot at taking a big step forward in 2026.

8. Atlanta Falcons: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Raiders TE Brock Bowers

Original Selection: Michael Penix, Jr., QB, Washington

One of the biggest concerns regarding Michael Penix Jr. in the draft process was that he suffered four season-ending injuries in his collegiate career.

Unfortunately, he once again saw a season come to a close with an ACL tear in his sophomore season. Penix started nine games this season before suffering the injury.

The bottom line is that kind of injury history is going to complicate things for Penix moving forward. And that's not even taking into account that he hasn't set the league on fire in his first 12 starts.

So it would make sense for the Falcons to pivot for this spot and keep an elite talent in-state. Brock Bowers posted a historic rookie season as a tight end with 112 receptions and 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. He saw a dip in production this season, but the Raiders were a train wreck.

Kevin Stefanski could scheme up quite the offense with Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Bowers working as the engine. It would also make their looming free agency decision regarding Kyle Pitts a lot easier.

9. Chicago Bears: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Original Selection: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Two years into their career, one thing is clear: Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze are much closer as receiver prospects than anticipated.

Marvin Harrison Jr. was the consensus top receiver in the draft class and was the first one off the board in the actual draft. Two years later and his production (103 receptions, 1,493 yards and 12 touchdowns in 29 games) is nearly identical to Odunze's (98 receptions, 1,395 yards and nine touchdowns in 29 games).

So while Odunze has acquitted himself nicely in comparison to Harrison, the son of the NFL Hall of Famer still gets the nod here. His production has come on an Arizona Cardinals team with a struggling and injured Kyler Murray.

Odunze has enjoyed the benefits of Ben Johnson in his second season. Harrison would likely shine a little brighter if he were dropped into the Chicago Bears offensive ecosystem.

10. Minnesota Vikings (from New York Jets): CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell

Original Selection: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

J.J. McCarthy finally got his shot to be the starting quarterback this season, but it didn't seem to inspire confidence for the Vikings fanbase or front office.

The second-year quarterback threw 11 touchdowns to 12 interceptions in 10 starts with only a 41.1 percent success rate throwing the ball. He might wind up being the Vikings answer at quarterback, but there's not enough confidence there to make him a top-10 pick again.

Instead, the Vikings could pivot to make their defense even more scary. Brian Flores once again designed one of the league's best defenses. However, the team's one weak link was its cornerback depth.

Jeff Okudah was forced to be the outside corner at times and he surrendered a 146.5 passer rating when targeted.

Quinyon Mitchell has already earned an All-Pro nod as a shutdown corner for the Eagles. Adding him to this defense would make them even scarier. Mitchell is a scheme-versatile corner who would go even higher in the re-draft of a weaker class.

11. New York Jets (from Minnesota Vikings): QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington

Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.

Original Selection: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Penix's knee injury might be enough to scare off the Falcons, but the Jets are desperate enough for a quarterback that it wouldn't matter.

The news that Dante Moore is headed back to Oregon makes New York's quarterback situation even more dire. Fernando Mendoza is the top-rated quarterback on Bleacher Report's big board and Ty Simpson is now QB2 at No. 30 overall.

The Jets could solve their quarterback dilemma with the ability to go back and take Penix over Olu Fashanu. The Penn State lineman has done good things in his first two years, but the need at quarterback is too great.

Penix's injury is an issue, but he looked the part at times in his second season. He had a solid interception rate of just 1.1 percent while throwing for nine touchdowns to three interceptions.

He outplayed all three quarterbacks who started games for the Jets this season and would be an upgrade to their roster provided he will be ready for the start of the 2025 season.

12. Denver Broncos: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

AP Photo/John Raoux

Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Original Selection: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

The Broncos are one of the biggest losers in this exercise. They go from getting a quarterback that just led them to the AFC Championship Game to needing to find a quarterback elsewhere.

The good news is that playing in Denver with an elite defense and Sean Payton would make the Broncos a preferred destination for any free agent or trade candidate quarterback.

Adding a dynamic receiver like Brian Thomas Jr. would only enhance that reputation. Thomas struggled to find his fit in Liam Coen's vision for the Jaguars passing attack, but his rookie season can't be ignored.

One year in and it looked like Thomas Jr. was going to compete with Malik Nabers as the top receiver in this draft class. He posted 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns.

That still places his ceiling slightly higher than Odunze's at this point and gives Payton a vertical weapon to help out whoever would be playing quarterback in Nix's absence.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Jets OT Olu Fashanu

Original Selection: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

The Raiders miss out on Bowers in this case, but they wind up filling a more important need in this scenario. Olu Fashanu would be a major upgrade for a Raiders offensive line that needs one.

You can quibble about the fact that the Raiders actually have a good left tackle in Kolton Miller, but he's 30 years old and Fashanu has experience playing on both sides of the line.

Fashanu has had some growing pains, but he's flashed all the tools of an elite tackle in the league. He was playing at an elite level over the second half of the season.

The Raiders would gladly insert Fashanu in as the right tackle. DJ Glaze struggled at that spot this season and surrendered 10 sacks while earning a 60.6 grade from PFF.

14. New Orleans Saints: Edge Laiatu Latu, UCLA

AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

Colts Edge Laiatu Latu

Original Selection: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

The Saints seem to have found their quarterback in Tyler Shough. The rookie put together a strong end of the season and should have New Orleans excited.

One of the biggest concerns for the Saints moving forward is that the defense is still relatively old. Cam Jordan led the team in sacks with 10.5, but he's 36. Chase Young put together a 10-sack season, but finding him a young sidekick would be huge.

Laiatu Latu would fill in that role quite nicely. He actually has the most sacks among the 2024 draft class, edging out Jared Verse by half a sack with 12.5, including 8.5 in his first season as a starter with the Colts this year.

Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is expecting even bigger things in Year 3.

"I like Latu," defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo told reporters in December. "His arrow is up. Generally speaking, you can look through the history of the league, he is on the right path. … The third year for any rusher is usually their breakout year."

15. Indianapolis Colts: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Eagles CB Cooper DeJean

Original Selection: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

The Colts end up losing out on their promising pass-rusher in this scenario, but they wind up with an All-Pro defensive back. There's some overlap between Kenny Moore II and Cooper DeJean in the slot, but DeJean is versatile enough that he's worth the pick here.

The Colts have good cornerbacks on paper if they are healthy. Charvarious Ward, Sauce Gardner and Kenny Moore is about as good a theoretical trio as there is in the league. However, those three all shared the field in just one game this season.

DeJean would immediately give the Colts the versatile piece they needed with so many injuries this season. The 22-year-old was an All-Pro selection for the first time this season.

He played 98 percent of the defensive snaps for the Eagles this season while allowing a 76.5 passer rating on 81 targets. He would be the stabilizing force for a Colts secondary that could be elite if they can be healthier in 2026.

16. Seattle Seahawks: DT Byron Murphy II, Texas

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Seahawks DL Byron Murphy II

Original Selection: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

There have been quite a few changes in this re-draft. This pick won't be one of them. Byron Murphy II has turned out to be a perfect fit in Mike Macdonald's defensive system.

Murphy has lived up to everything the Seahawks hoped he would be this season. Head coach Mike Macdonald has called him the "best in the world" at blowing up run blocks.

His unique approach to double-teams in which he will go to a knee to split the double and use his elite athleticism to get back to his feet to make a play sets him apart. However, it's his growth as a pass-rusher that makes him downright dangerous moving forward.

He went from half a sack and 12 pressures in nine games as a rookie to 7.5 quarterback takedowns and 43 pressures this season. Other defensive tackles have proven they should have been first-round picks, but Murphy has stood the test of time as the first one taken.

17. Minnesota Vikings (from Jacksonville Jaguars): Edge Dallas Turner, Alabama

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Vikings Edge Dallas Turner

Original Selection: Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

Like Byron Murphy II in Seattle, Dallas Turner has turned out to be a hand-in-glove fit in Minnesota's defense. His ability to blitz with bend and athleticism at Alabama figured to be a strong fit in Brian Flores' aggressive scheme.

That fit really started to result in stronger play in his sophomore season. He ramped up his snap share from 28 percent to 66 percent in his second season, helping him get eight sacks and 44 total pressures.

Turner has started out his career as a pass-rush specialist, but defensive coordinator Flores has praised the player's approach to doing the little things right.

"I think it's the splash plays that everybody's says, 'OK, now he's starting to figure it out,' but I think it's a lot of the little things that aren't as splashy that he's also doing well, and I think that's where his focus has got to be, because when you do those little things, normally, the big plays show up," Flores told media in December.

The Vikings may want to have the J.J. McCarthy pick at No. 10 back. There should be much less concern with the Turner selection.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia

Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini

Original Selection: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

A third consecutive pick that probably doesn't change. Protecting Joe Burrow continues to be the biggest priority for Cincinnati.

Amarius Mims' career got off to a rocky start in Cincinnati, but he put together a strong sophomore campaign. The 6'7", 340-pound blocker was nearly the highest-graded lineman the Bengals had, per PFF.

Mims struggled with some injuries and pass protection issues in his rookie year, but was on the field for 1,050 snaps this season. He gave up just four sacks and drew four penalties in that time while clearing running lanes for Chase Brown to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards on the season.

A defensive lineman was considered, but the Bengals still need to fortify the offensive line to get the most out of Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins moving forward.

19. Los Angeles Rams: Edge Chop Robinson, Penn State

AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Dolphins Edge Chop Robinson

Original Selection: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

The Rams lose their defensive cornerstone in Jared Verse, but the defense doesn't come away empty-handed. Chop Robinson isn't nearly the same caliber of overall edge-rusher, but the pass-rush potential is there.

Robinson posted six sacks and 47 pressures across 15 games as a rookie. Had he built on that, he would be in the conversation among the most effective pass-rushers in the class.

Unfortunately, Robinson hit a bit of a sophomore slump and only ended up with four sacks and 25 pressures in 13 games. It's worth noting that some of Robinson's struggles could be chalked up to having to wait behind Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips.

However, the Dolphins felt confident enough in Robinson's development to trade Phillips at the deadline. Three of Robinson's sacks this year came after they traded away their former first-round pick.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia

AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian

Chargers WR Ladd McConkey

Original Selection: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

Even if the Steelers didn't need a receiver this would be too far to let Ladd McConkey slide. The receiver was electric in his rookie season, compiling 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns on 82 receptions.

McConkey was the top receiver on a Chargers team that desperately needed one. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to build on those numbers in his second season. He had 66 receptions for 789 yards and six touchdowns despite seeing only six fewer targets.

McConkey's drop in efficiency could have had something to do with the Chargers firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman after the season. He still has the tools to be a chain-moving specialist.

The Steelers would certainly welcome him in their offense. It's unclear who will be the new coach in the wake of Mike Tomlin stepping away, but McConkey's ability to dominate on underneath routes would pair nicely with DK Metcalf in Pittsburgh.

21. Miami Dolphins: WR Rome Odunze, Washington

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Bears WR Rome Odunze

Original Selection: Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

The Dolphins miss out on an edge-rusher to lead the charge in 2026, but they gain a succession plan for Tyreek Hill in this scenario.

In reality Rome Odunze was the ninth selection of the draft. He hasn't quite lived up to that billing even if he's been a useful weapon for an offense that just came short of making it to the NFC Championship Game.

Odunze got off to a hot start this season that included five touchdowns in the first four weeks of the season. However, he played through plantar fasciitis and a stress fracture in the playoffs after missing the final five weeks of the regular season.

The former Washington receiver has flashed the tools that made him a top ten pick, he just hasn't stayed healthy and put together that kind of season.

Miami would gladly take a chance and pair him with Jaylen Waddle in the long-term. Tyreek Hill will be 32 in March and is in the final year of his contract with the Dolphins.

Adding Odunze would give the Dolphins a nice off ramp while continuing to give their quarterback real weapons.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Ravens CB Nate Wiggins

Original Selection: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

The Eagles transformed their secondary in this draft. Both Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have already earned All-Pro accolades.

Both of their star defenders are long gone in this scenario, though. They'd have to turn to one of the other cover corners who went in the first round in Nate Wiggins. The Baltimore Raven has yet to earn those kind of accolades, but there are promising signs he's going to be just fine in the league.

Playing alongside Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton, many teams have tried to pick on Wiggins in Baltimore. He saw 112 targets this season and still held opposing passers to a 76.6 passer rating.

That might not be enough to put Wiggins in the same category as Mitchell or DeJean, but it does put him above the other corners who were drafted in 2025. The Wiggins pick has made the Ravens look smart.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Minnesota via Houston and Cleveland): DL Braden Fiske, Florida State

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Rams DL Braden Fiske

Original Selection: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Braden Fiske was at the tail end of a run on defensive tackles at the beginning of the second round. Ruke Orhorhoro, Jer'Zhan Newton and T'Vondre Sweat went right ahead of the Florida State pass-rusher.

Thus far, none of them have anywhere near the pass-rushing production Fiske has offered the Rams.

Fiske made his presence felt right away with 8.5 sacks in eight games during his rookie season. He couldn't keep up that blistering sack pace in a full season of work as a sophomore, but he once again had over 40 pressures.

His 41 pressures this season would have been second on the Jaguars team, behind only Josh Hines-Allen. Arik Armstead is 32 and the Jaguars need a disruptive interior pass-rusher moving forward.

24. Detroit Lions (from Dallas Cowboys): CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Lions CB Terrion Arnold

Original Selection: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

Terrion Arnold's tenure in Detroit hasn't always been pretty, but he's done enough to warrant his first-round selection.

Arnold had ups and downs as a rookie who started nearly every game in his first season. Unfortunately, his second season was marred by injury. He missed games throughout the season with a shoulder/pec injury and a concussion. Ultimately, he ended the year on injured reserve.

Arnold has shown he has the athleticism to play man coverage in the league. It wouldn't be surprising to see him have a breakout year in his third season.

Position coach Deshea Townsend has praised Arnold's growth and improvement. However, playing with an injury for most of his second season could have hindered his development.

Expect him to prove he was worth his selection next season.

25. Green Bay Packers: LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

AP Photo/David Dermer

Packers LB Edgerrin Cooper

Original Selection: Jordan Morgan, OT, Alabama

We don't have to project how Edgerrin Cooper would impact the Packers defense. He's already a key piece for a unit that just helped defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley land a head coaching job.

Cooper has quickly come alongside Quay Walker to form a dynamic linebacker duo in the middle. He finished 17th among all linebackers in PFF grade and has excelled in coverage.

Head coach Matt LaFleur noted that he thinks Cooper has "superstar potential" ahead of the 2025 season. He took a serious step toward that status in his sophomore campaign.

After missing a few games with hamstring and hip injuries as a rookie, he started 16 games this season with 118 total tackles, four passes defended and two forced fumbles.

Jordan Morgan is far from a lost cause. He played much more in 2024 and filled in at multiple positions. However, Cooper has had the biggest impact of the rookie class for the Packers and he makes sense in this spot.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C Zach Frazier, West Virginia

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Steelers IOL Zach Frazier

Original Selection: Graham Barton, C, Duke

It seems a little preposterous to take a center ahead of some of the tackle prospects left on the board, but Tampa is pretty set at tackle between Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke.

In reality, the Bucs bypassed offensive tackle Tyler Guyton in favor of Graham Barton, moving the interior lineman to center.

Nearly a full round later, the Steeler found a great value in Zach Frazier. While Barton and Jackson Powers-Johnson were considered the heavy hitters of the interior line class, it is Frazier who has earned a top 10 score among centers with PFF this season.

According to Sports Info Solutions, Frazier has already played over 1,000 pass-protecting snaps and he's surrendered just one sack. That kind of stability in the middle of the offensive line is huge and should have the center in the first round of a re-draft.

27. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston Texans): OT Roger Rosengarten, Washington

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Ravens OT Roger Rosengarten

Original Selection: Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri

The Cardinals actually took Darius Robinson in this spot. The jury is still out on that pick. He's only had two sacks in his first two seasons.

In hindsight, the Cardinals could have used this pick to find a replacement for Jonah Williams. He's been inconsistent and unable to stay on the field with injuries since the Cardinals acquired him in 2024.

The Cardinals have their pick of intriguing right tackle prospects in this scenario. Most of them were long gone in the reality of the actual draft with JC Latham, Taliese Fuaga and Troy Fautanu all going before the Cards were on the clock.

Yet, Roger Rosengarten, who was the 62nd pick to the Baltimore Ravens, get the nod here.

Rosengarten has already started 31 games for the Ravens in two seasons. While the other prospects bring mauling power to the run game, Rosengarten has been solid as a pass protector and run-blocker earning a strong 74.2 overall grade from PFF.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (from Buffalo Bills): OT JC Latham, Alabama

AP Photo/Stew Milne

Titans OT JC Latham

Original Selection: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

It hasn't always been pretty for JC Latham in Tennessee. The 22-year-old tackle has racked up 23 penalties and given up 15 sacks in his first two seasons in the league. With that being said, it's not hard to see him figuring it out.

He has been as advertised in the run game for the Titans. For all his lapses in pass protection, he ranked 29th among all tackles in the league in run-blocking grade, per PFF.

He's also managed to remain at right tackle for the Titans, which is more than can be said for the Chiefs' actual second-round pick in the draft, Kingsley Suamataia. The second-year lineman has already been moved inside where he started at left guard.

The Chiefs actually used this pick on Xavier Worthy. There's a strong case to pick him in the re-draft, however, the Chiefs could really use another option to replace the expensive Jawaan Taylor at right tackle.

Drafting Latham would allow them to cut Taylor, saving $20 million in cap space and giving them more juice in the pass game. That is arguably worth even more than what Worthy is bringing to the offense with his speed.

29. Dallas Cowboys (from Detroit Lions): CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Saints CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

Original Selection: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Cornerback was barely on the radar for the Cowboys in the 2024 draft. They didn't take one until the fifth-round when they selected Caelen Carson out of Wake Forest.

If they knew then what they know now, it would have to be a first-round consideration.

Trevon Diggs is officially off the roster and rookie Shavon Revel Jr., who has stepped into the role after his departure, ranked 113th out of the 113 cornerbacks that PFF graded in 2025.

In short, the cornerback room is a mess outside of DaRon Bland. Kool-Aid McKinstry has had some growing pains, but the room would be a lot more optimistic with him in it.

PFF writer Zach Tantillo called McKinstry the Saints most underrated player this season.

"His play down the stretch was borderline elite, but with the Saints out of playoff contention, his performance largely fell on deaf ears. From Weeks 10 through 18, McKinstry posted an 83.8 PFF coverage grade, the third-highest figure in the NFL."

30. Baltimore Ravens: OT Troy Fautanu, Washington

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

Steelers OT Troy Fautanu

Original Selection: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

In typical Ravens fashion, the board falls nicely for them to get an incredible value in this re-draft. They lose out on their actual first-round pick in Nate Wiggins and second-round pick Roger Rosengarten, but wind up with Rosengarten's teammate.

In reality, Fautanu was the more polished of the two Washington tackles. There's a reason he went so much earlier than his fellow Husky. However, Rosengarten has played so well in the Ravens system that he got the nod earlier in this exercise.

Fautanu really started to show what he could do with Pittsburgh as this season progressed, though. His 71.0 pass-blocking grade was ranked 40th among all PFF-graded tackles in the league. It was his run-blocking grade of 56.4 that brought down his overall number.

Both have proved they are exciting young tackles in the AFC North. The Ravens should be happy to still wind up with one of them as they continue to build out the offensive line that protects Lamar Jackson.

31. San Francisco 49ers: OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Saints OT Taliese Fuaga

Original Selection: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida

This pick is more about the fact that Taliese Fuaga shouldn't slide out of the first round than a specific need for the Niners. Trent Williams and Colton McKivitz is still one of the best tackle duos in the league.

At the same time, Taliese Fuaga would probably be an excellent guard while he waited for either of them to retire or hit free agency.

Fuaga graded out 53rd among all tackles graded by PFF. Despite middling numbers from their grading system he has flashed the dominance in the run game that made him a fun watch coming out of Oregon State.

The Niners have enjoyed one of the most valuable picks from the third round in Dominick Puni. He's turned out to be a great fit, but Fuaga provides an even higher ceiling.

He's more than held his own as the Saints right tackle and figures to stick in the league as a starter for a long time.

32. Carolina Panthers (from Kansas City via Buffalo): WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida

AP Photo/John Froschauer

49ers WR Ricky Pearsall

Original Selection: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina

The Panthers moved back into the first round to secure Xavier Legette in hopes of giving Bryce Young a new No. 1 receiver. It's a role that now belongs to 2025 first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan.

The idea of giving Young another young weapon is still appealing, though. They have some good options in this scenario. Xavier Worthy has elite speed, Troy Franklin had the second-most receiving yards of anyone drafted in this 2024 class this season and Ricky Pearsall was solid in his second season with the Niners.

However, one quote from Kyle Shanahan should lock him in as the final pick of the 2024 re-draft.

"It's not about stats with him [WR Ricky Pearsall], it's how you play without the ball in your hands," he said of the second-year receiver ahead of a matchup with the Titans.

Pearsall's route-running and blocking within the Niners system would make him an ideal No. 2 receiver in the Panthers offense. His willingness to do the dirty work would help give the Panthers offense an edge and open up even more opportunities for McMillan.