Re-Drafting the 2015 NFL Draft
There are some teams who would love a draft do-over more than George R.R. Martin loves a good bloodbath.
Whether it's disappointing early returns or a long-time career of failed expectations, many first-round draft picks have turned out to be busts. There are plenty of high-profile ones, but every year there are a handful of picks that would be different if the teams were given a chance to re-do their selection.
It's only been a year, but it's never too early to look back and see which teams struck gold with their top picks in 2015 or wish they could take a mulligan and switch their selection.
If the 2015 NFL draft were redone, what would the first round look like?
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Jameis Winston
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Actual Pick: Jameis Winston
Revised Pick: Jameis Winston
If the early returns are any indication, the Bucs knocked this one out of the park, finally finding the true franchise quarterback they've lacked for arguably their entire existence.
Winston started all 16 games for the Bucs in 2015, becoming just the third rookie in NFL history to throw for over 4,000 yards. He also rushed for six touchdowns, setting a new single-season franchise record for quarterbacks.
Tampa Bay may have only generated four more wins in 2015 with Winston at the helm, but his presence has clearly brought a culture change that has the Bucs looking like potential contenders for much of the near future. When you end up with the first overall pick, this is the kind of situation a team hopes they end up in, with the chance to get a difference-maker at the game's most important position.
2. Tennessee Titans: QB Marcus Mariota
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Actual Pick: Marcus Mariota
Revised Pick: Marcus Mariota
Much like the previous pick, the Titans look to have nailed this one, getting their franchise quarterback and a dynamic playmaker to lead their offense for the foreseeable future. Mariota took his expected lumps as a rookie starter but flashed the potential to be a star in the NFL for a long time.
Despite missing four games due to injury, Mariota threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns, with just 10 interceptions and another two scores on the ground.
The mission now is to build around Mariota, which will be helped by the massive trade package the Titans received to move down from this year's top overall pick. The team should be able to stockpile the roster with top talent on both sides of the ball, giving Mariota every chance to succeed and eventually turn the Titans back into a contender.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Marcus Peters
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Actual Pick: Dante Fowler
Revised Pick: Marcus Peters
Despite missing his entire rookie season thanks to a knee injury, Fowler still has a promising future ahead of him. That said, if the Jags were able to make this pick again, they'd be better off taking Peters, who dominated in his rookie season like a seasoned veteran.
Perceived off-field concerns caused Peters to fall into the latter half of the first round, but he was only a headache for opposing quarterbacks in 2015. The Washington product defended 26 passes and picked off eight, taking two of them for touchdowns and averaging 35 yards per interception return.
Peterson won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and had a strong case for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He's already established himself as one of the best playmakers in the league at his position, and was deserving of a much higher selection last year. With the Jags' struggles in the secondary, Peters' presence would have made a huge impact on the entire unit.
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4. Oakland Raiders: WR Amari Cooper
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Actual Pick: Amari Cooper
Revised Pick: Amari Cooper
Raider Nation appears to have found its franchise quarterback in 2014 second-rounder Derek Carr, but they also found him an explosive playmaker to throw to with this pick last year.
Cooper has already developed some impressive chemistry with Carr, hauling in 72 passes for 1,070 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie season. He had a few head-scratching games with little production, but he flashed plenty of potential and should only improve as he continues to grow with Carr.
The Raiders have a reliable veteran in Michael Crabtree and a promising young tight end in Clive Walford, but Cooper is going to be the star that rises with this young and talented team in the coming years. There's no reason for the Raiders to change this pick.
5. Washington Redskins: OL Brandon Scherff
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Actual pick: Brandon Scherff
Revised pick: Brandon Scherff
It's not the flashiest pick, but there's no reason for Washington to mess with this one. Scherff played tackle at Iowa but transitioned to guard in the NFL, starting all 16 games for the Redskins and already looking like an anchor they can build the entire unit around for years to come.
Washington had one of the best draft classes in the entire league last year, nailing picks well into the middle and later rounds. But the first-round pick is always the make-or-break pick for any draft class, and though it may not be obvious on the stat sheet, Washington nailed this one with Scherff.
6. New York Jets: Todd Gurley, RB Georgia
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Actual Pick: Leonard Williams
Revised Pick: Todd Gurley
Perceived by many to be the top non-quarterback prospect in the draft, Williams was considered quite a steal at this pick. But Williams was more of a luxury pick for a deep unit that boasts one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL. Though he had a solid rookie season, the Jets could easily go elsewhere if given another chance to make this pick.
Gurley was a huge question mark coming off a knee injury but despite making just 12 starts, the former Georgia Bulldog rushed for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns. His rare combination of power, speed and athleticism was on display all year long, dispelling the myth that running backs aren't worth early draft picks in today's NFL.
7. Chicago Bears: DL Leonard Williams
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Actual Pick: Kevin White
Revised Pick: Leonard Williams
It's difficult to judge Kevin White's rookie season because he spent the entirety of it on injured reserve thanks to a knee injury. But while White is still projected to bring a dangerous weapon to the Bears offense, if this scenario played out again, the team would likely have a tough time passing up a talent like Williams.
Williams would arguably have been considered a steal anywhere after the first overall pick, but interior defensive lineman sometimes don't get the attention they deserve. Williams would be a perfect fit as a 5-technique in Chicago's defense and a key piece of their foundation on that side of the ball.
8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Dante Fowler
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Actual Pick: Vic Beasley
Revised Pick: Dante Fowler
It's not that Beasley didn't show flashes of pass-rushing potential—four sacks, two forced fumbles in 2015—but Fowler's combination of explosiveness off the edge and ability to defend the run more effectively could easily have made him their selection in this scenario.
Fowler missed all of his rookie season with a knee injury but is still expected to bring a dynamic edge-rushing presence to the Jaguars. If the Falcons had the opportunity to get their hands on him last year—even with the injury—I wouldn't be surprised if they gave him the nod over Beasley.
9. New York Giants: DE Vic Beasley
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Actual Pick: Ereck Flowers
Revised Pick: Vic Beasley
Flowers was one of the more surprising names to sneak into the top 10 last year, and though he certainly had his mountains and valleys as a rookie, he made 15 starts and showed plenty of improvement. That said, if a do-over scenario played out this way, the team might opt to address their need for a pass-rusher over a pass-protector.
Beasley was quiet for much of the season but did manage to bag four sacks and force two fumbles as a rookie. Having a young, explosive edge-rusher like Beasley already on the roster could have prevented the Giants from having to throw huge money at free agent Olivier Vernon this offseason.
10. Los Angeles Rams: WR Kevin White
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Actual Pick: Todd Gurley
Revised Pick: Kevin White
If given the chance to take Gurley again here, the Rams would undoubtedly make that decision. But if he was off the board, addressing their desperate need for a true No. 1 receiver with White would be the way to go.
White missed his entire rookie season thanks to a knee injury, but he has all of the physical tools to be a successful pass-catcher at the pro level. Whichever quarterback the Rams take in the 2016 draft, they'll enjoy having Gurley in the backfield, but White wouldn't have been an awful consolation prize.
11. Minnesota Vikings: CB Ronald Darby
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Actual Pick: Trae Waynes
Revised Pick: Ronald Darby
Waynes was one of the more disappointing picks early in this draft, appearing in 15 games but only making one start and failing to record a single interception. He knocked away four passes but struggled to make a significant impact for a team that made a big investment in him with this selection.
Darby was a completely different story in 2015, slipping to the second round but wasting no time establishing himself as one of the biggest steals of the entire draft. The Florida State product made 15 starts, knocking away 21 passes and posting a pair of interceptions. It would have been considered a huge reach at the time, but taking Darby here instead of Waynes looks like a much better move in hindsight.
12. Cleveland Browns: WR DeVante Parker
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Actual Pick: Danny Shelton
Revised Pick: DeVante Parker
Another year, another roster without a true No. 1 receiver for the Browns. In 2014, they traded out of the chance to take Sammy Watkins. Then in 2015 they used a pair of first-rounders on linemen that didn't make the kind of impact a top pass-catcher could have.
Instead of taking a space-eater in the middle of the defense like Shelton, the Browns would have been better off taking a top target like Parker, who struggled to overcome injuries as a rookie but flashed plenty of potential. Whoever is taking snaps for the Browns in 2016 and beyond, he'll wish he had a receiver like Parker to throw to.
13. New Orleans Saints: Andrus Peat
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Actual Pick: Andrus Peat
Revised Pick: Andrus Peat
This might not be as exciting as Saints fans may want, but while Peat didn't exactly set the world on fire as a rookie, he showed his versatility by playing at three different spots on the offensive line. He struggled to carve out a spot in the starting lineup early on but eventually established himself as a successful blocker.
He's built more like a tackle, but Peat's future is likely at guard. It's not flashy, but keeping Drew Brees upright and healthy should be one of the team's top priorities. Peat has the physical tools and athleticism to be an effective starting guard this season and beyond.
14. Miami Dolphins: CB Kevin Johnson
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Actual Pick: DeVante Parker
Revised Pick: Kevin Johnson
With Parker off the board in this scenario, the Dolphins would look elsewhere to address their biggest needs. Corner is certainly one of them which is why Johnson would make plenty of sense here, were they allowed to make the pick over again.
The former Demon Deacon only grabbed one pick in 2015 but knocked away nine passes over just 10 starts. He's a tough, physical corner who isn't afraid to get up in a receiver's face, and he has the lockdown cover skills to survive as a team's No. 1 corner.
15. San Diego Chargers: NT Danny Shelton
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Actual Pick: Melvin Gordon
Revised Pick: Danny Shelton
While Todd Gurley looked like a dominant runner for most of his rookie season, Gordon was a fairly significant disappointment. After an insanely productive career at Wisconsin, Gordon fell flat in 2015, rushing for just 641 yards and 3.5 yards per carry with zero touchdowns.
With Shelton slipping a few spots down from his original pick, the Chargers would likely jump at the chance to swap out Gordon and replace him with a much-needed presence in the middle of the defensive line. Shelton had an up-and-down rookie campaign but has a bright future.
16. Houston Texans: WR Tyler Lockett
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Actual Pick: Kevin Johnson
Revised Pick: Tyler Lockett
Another team with their original pick off the board, the Texans would have been wise to find an explosive playmaker to line up across from DeAndre Hopkins at receiver. Lockett lasted until the third round, but if a re-draft were to happen there's no way he gets out of the first round.
Lockett's big-time plays as both a pass-catcher and return specialist helped propel him to a Pro Bowl berth, giving Russell Wilson yet another weapon at his disposal. What Lockett lacks in size he makes up for in just about every other way, and he'd be plenty worthy of this pick.
17. San Francisco 49ers: DL Arik Armstead
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Actual Pick: Arik Armstead
Revised Pick: Arik Armstead
The 49ers fell in love with Armstead's combination of power, athleticism and versatility last year, and he gave them no reason to feel anything other than excited about his future after one season.
His impact went beyond the box score as it normally does for successful interior defenders, though he did manage to log a pair of sacks and 19 tackles over 16 appearances and one start. Armstead is still a work in progress, but there was enough progress in 2015 to keep him in this spot.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: OLB Bud Dupree
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Actual Pick: Marcus Peters
Revised Pick: Bud Dupree
There's not a team in the NFL who wants a redo of last year's draft less than the Chiefs, who landed the most productive, impressive defender in the entire draft with this pick. Peters won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after picking off eight passes, and he was the steal of the first round.
If they weren't able to get Peters, taking an athletic edge-rusher to provide depth and an eventual full-time starter would make plenty of sense. Dupree made five starts for the Steelers in 2015, notching four sacks and 26 tackles. He would have been a perfect choice to learn behind Justin Houston.
19. Cleveland Browns: OL Cameron Erving
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Actual Pick: Cameron Erving
Revised Pick: Cameron Erving
Erving struggled plenty last year, but most of it was due to adjusting to the guard position after playing either tackle or center at Florida State. He looked out of place and wasn't put in the best position to succeed.
Now with Alex Mack gone, it's time for the Browns to put Erving at center where he's more experienced and much more comfortable. If they do, he should return to the dominant player we saw on film during the 2014 college football season, making him still worth this selection.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: RB David Johnson
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Actual Pick: Nelson Agholor
Revised Pick: David Johnson
The DeMarco Murray experiment was a complete bust for the Eagles and veteran free agent Ryan Mathews didn't give the running game much of a consistent spark, either. If they were looking to jump-start their offense with a dynamic playmaker, it looks like they should have gone with Johnson.
The Northern Iowa product came off the board in the third round last year, but he proved to be an invaluable weapon for the Cardinals offense on their way to the playoffs. With over 1,000 total yards and 12 touchdowns, Johnson was one of the biggest steals in the entire draft. He looks plenty worthy of having been the second back off the board.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: LB Shaq Thompson
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Actual Pick: Cedric Ogbuehi
Revised Pick: Shaq Thompson
With not too many glaring needs staring them in the face last year, the Bengals made a luxury pick, taking an offensive tackle coming off knee surgery who wouldn't see the field for a while. If they wanted to make a more effective pick to address depth, Thompson would have been the way to go.
Cincinnati could use an athletic linebacker to come in on passing downs in the nickel, and that would be a perfect fit for Thompson's skill set. He tallied 50 tackles over 10 starts for the Panthers last season, and he is barely scratching the surface of his potential.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: DB Byron Jones
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Actual Pick: Bud Dupree
Revised Pick: Byron Jones
Even if Dupree was still on the board in this scenario, it wouldn't be surprising if the Steelers opted to address their secondary if given another shot at this pick since they have significant needs at both corner and safety.
That makes Jones a natural fit, as he has the ability to play either spot. The former Husky made 11 starts for the Cowboys as a rookie, logging 66 tackles and knocking away nine passes. He certainly had his growing pains as a rookie, but the Steelers would feel a little better about their secondary going into this draft if they had Jones on the roster.
23. Denver Broncos: DE Shane Ray
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Actual Pick: Shane Ray
Revised Pick: Shane Ray
Last year's performance in the Super Bowl proved how important it is to have as many pass-rushers as possible, and the Broncos knew that full well when they spent this pick on Ray last year.
Denver knows depth is key and DeMarcus Ware isn't getting any younger, so bringing in a talented edge-rusher with an explosive first step made plenty of sense. Ray bagged four sacks in 2015, despite not making any starts and only being used as a situational rusher. He's got tons of talent and a bright future ahead, especially if Von Miller sticks around to line up across from him.
24. Arizona Cardinals: OLB Danielle Hunter
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Actual Pick: D.J. Humphries
Revised Pick: Danielle Hunter
One of many first-rounders bitten by the injury bug, Humphries wasn't able to make an impact in his first NFL season. In hindsight, the Cards would have benefited from taking a chance on a raw but explosive edge player in Danielle Hunter.
The LSU product finished second among NFL rookies in 2015 with six sacks, adding 33 total tackles and a forced fumble for the Vikings. It looks like he's developing quickly, and with a full-time starting gig—he only made one start last season—he could end up heading for double-digit sacks soon.
25. Carolina Panthers: CB Trae Waynes
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Actual Pick: Shaq Thompson
Revised Pick: Trae Waynes
Thompson looked promising as a rookie, but with him off the board in this scenario, the Panthers are forced to look elsewhere. The team had issues at corner even before Josh Norman's departure, and now they're only magnified. That makes Waynes the retroactive pick here.
Waynes only made one start and didn't make a huge impact as a rookie, but he's still a promising player with the athleticism and ball skills to potentially develop into a legitimate No. 1 cover man.
26. Baltimore Ravens: S Adrian Amos
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Actual Pick: Breshad Perriman
Revised Pick: Adrian Amos
Perriman was one of multiple first-rounders to miss their entire rookie seasons due to injury, so hindsight isn't exactly fair to a player in that situation. That said, Perriman is an extremely raw player and might have taken time to get rolling as a rookie even at full health, which is why the Ravens might go in a different direction here if given the chance.
Amos might seem like a surprise name here, but he was one of the biggest steals of the draft's third day last year. Despite being drafted in the fifth round, Amos won a starting job in training camp and started all 16 games for the Bears, notching 67 tackles, two defensed passes and a sack. He would have been a welcome addition to a Baltimore secondary that needs plenty of new, young talent.
27. Dallas Cowboys: DE Preston Smith
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Actual Pick: Byron Jones
Revised Pick: Preston Smith
An athletic, versatile defensive back like Jones is nice, but the Cowboys are desperate for an impact edge-rusher. Not only could they have had one last year in Smith, they could have kept him from a hated division rival. With Jones off the board in this scenario, this pick is a no-brainer in retrospect.
Smith slipped to the second round but wasted no time making his presence known. The Mississippi State product led all NFL rookies with eight sacks, despite making just two starts and being used mostly on a rotational basis. With all the depth issues the Cowboys are having at the position, they sure would love to have Smith instead.
28. Detroit Lions: OT Donovan Smith
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Actual Pick: Laken Tomlinson
Revised Pick: Donovan Smith
Tomlinson was a solid performer for the most part in his rookie season, making 14 starts and appearing in all 16 games. But left tackle is still a huge need for the Lions and a much more premium position. They would have been better off taking Donovan Smith, who overcame a rough start to finish strong in 2015.
Some thought Smith might have to eventually move to guard in the NFL, but he held his own at left tackle, protecting the blind side of the top overall pick. Riley Reiff is better suited to slide inside, and could have done it last year if Smith was made the pick here.
29. Indianapolis Colts: G Ali Marpet
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Actual Pick: Phillip Dorsett
Revised Pick: Ali Marpet
Tampa Bay traded back into the latter part of the second round to grab Marpet, and after a season it's easy to see why. The small-school stud didn't miss a beat, going from Hobart College to the NFL and quickly establishing himself as a dominant run-blocker.
Injuries kept Dorsett from making much of an impact, but it doesn't matter who the receivers are if Andrew Luck doesn't have time to get them the ball. The Colts need to rebuild the interior up front, and Marpet would have gone a long way toward doing just that.
30. Green Bay Packers: DB Damarious Randall
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Actual Pick: Damarious Randall
Revised Pick: Damarious Randall
This was another surprise name that came off the board in last year's first round, but his performance as a rookie did nothing to suggest the Packers should have picked anyone else instead.
A converted safety, Randall spent most of his time at corner in 2015, showing the typical growing pains but flashing playmaking ability and plenty of improvement over the entire season. With 58 tackles, 14 defensed passes and three interceptions, Randall proved he was well worth this pick. He has a bright future ahead as he continues to develop and become more comfortable at the corner position.
31. New Orleans Saints: LB Stephone Anthony
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Actual Pick: Stephone Anthony
Revised Pick: Stephone Anthony
The second of the Saints' first-rounders last year, this one goes unchanged as well. Anthony was a tackling machine in 2015, racking up 112 stops and helping bolster a defense that needed a leader in the middle.
Anthony made plays in a variety of ways, adding five defensed passes, two forced fumbles, a sack and an interception. He looks to be a fixture in the middle for the Saints for a long time and has proven to be well worth a first-round pick already.
32. New England Patriots: DL Malcom Brown
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Actual Pick: Malcom Brown
Revised Pick: Malcom Brown
The Patriots are experts at letting the draft come to them and taking advantage of when top talent slips through the cracks. That's exactly what happened last year when they landed Brown with the final pick in the first round.
With veteran Vince Wilfork playing elsewhere, the Pats needed an anchor up front to take on multiple blockers and still be disruptive against both the run and pass. Brown did just that, logging 48 tackles and three sacks over 12 starts as a rookie. He's only going to improve from here on out, and he would still be the pick if the Pats could do this one over.
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