It’s way to early to judge the 2014 draft class. While rookie seasons can show the great upside and potential bust concerns, these 22 and 23 year olds need more than one season (or less) of professional experience to be fairly critiqued.
That being said, it’s a fun exercise to see how team’s would have re-drafted if they had the reactionary opportunity.
Where would the quarterbacks land? How high does Odell Beckham go? How many receivers land in the first-round? And what about Jadeveon Clowney?
1. Houston Texans – Teddy Bridgewater
Mallett flashed, but they wouldn’t have to make that trade had they drafted Bridgewater. They had two opportunities to do so (could have easily traded up in late 1st) and passed. They wouldn’t make that mistake again.
2. St. Louis Rams – Odell Beckham
The best non-quarterback in the class, Beckham would have been the easy pick for the Rams had they known how quickly he’d adjust. Add him to this unit, and Shaun Hill or Austin Davis might have guided this team to a near playoff bid.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Aaron Donald
They’d still need a franchise quarterback, but Bortles season proved that they aren’t quite ready to support a rookie passer with his development needs. Add Aaron Donald, the best defensive player in the draft, would have been fun to watch.
4. Cleveland Browns – Derek Carr
Reports were leading up to the draft that Carr was their man. Instead, they opted to move up for Manziel, and may already be in the market for a new passer. Carr’s last few games have shown great promise despite poor Oakland receivers.
5. Oakland Raiders – Sammy Watkins
While Khalil Mack has been a fantastic foundation of their defense, the Raiders receiving corps is very poor. Watkins is the second best receiver in this class, and would have helped whoever their quarterback was.
6. Atlanta Falcons – Greg Robinson
Khalil Mack and Greg Robinson were two dream options for the Falcons on draft day, but neither made it down that far. In a re-draft, they have both options. Robinson has flashed at tackle and guard this year, and the Falcons offensive line is a mess.
7. Tampa Bay Bucs – Zach Martin
The Bucs have the worst offensive line in the NFL, and a trade for Logan Mankins couldn’t save it. Martin’s impact on Demarco Murray’s season has been clear, and maybe he could have done some of the same for Doug Martin.
8. Minnesota Vikings – Khalil Mack
With the option between Anthony Barr (who they drafted) and Mack, the Vikings would have to opt for Mack, who has been slightly more impressive this year. It’s close, but Mack would be the choice.
9. Buffalo Bills – Mike Evans
Buffalo’s defense has been fine, but their offense has needed the help. With no quarterbacks who the value here, they’d opt for another receiver in Evans.
10. Detroit Lions – Jake Matthews
With multiple right tackles filling the Lions starting lineup, adding a right tackle would have been a wise move. Despite his struggles, Jake Matthews is still the draft class’s second best offensive tackle.
11. Tennessee Titans – Anthony Barr
In need of pass-rushers, Anthony Barr could have done wonders for the Titans ability to get to the quarterback. He was their target on draft day.
12. New York Giants – Kelvin Benjamin
The Giants lose out in this re-draft because they don’t get Beckham again, but adding Kelvin Benjamin, another top rookie receiver, would ease the change.
13. St. Louis Rams – Jadeveon Clowney
Where Clowney would fall in a re-draft is interesting, because we barely saw any of him as a rookie. Knowing that, the Rams, with their second pick, would likely be okay with having Clowney’s redshirt season and testing him out in 2015.
14. Chicago Bears – CJ Mosley
It’s no mistake the Bears are in desperate need of defensive help. Mosley’s 130+ tackle season would have been nice for Navy and Orange.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Bradley Roby
Roby has been a great slot option for the Broncos this year, but he would have been a likely season-long starter for the Steelers, who also need cornerback help for the future.
16. Dallas Cowboys – Joel Bitonio
Like the Giants, the Cowboys lose their Pro Bowler in the re-draft. But Bitonio has been a plus-starter for the Browns offensive line, and could have filled a similar role.
17. Baltimore Ravens – Jeremy Hill
The draft class’s best runner, Hill would be the only running back worth a first-round pick. With Ray Rice gone, Hill could have been an awesome complement to Justin Forsett all season.
18. New York Jets – Kyle Fuller
Fuller’s feature cornerback performance early died down by mid-season, but his rookie year would have bettered any Jets cornerback this year.
19. Miami Dolphins – Ja’Wuan James
James was a fine starter for the Dolphins, and I think they’d keep the same pick if they had to. He’s a building block on this offensive line moving forward.
20. Arizona Cardinals – Deone Bucannon
Like the Dolphins, the Cardinals likely wouldn’t change their pick. Bucannon has played a key role in the Cardinals defense from his safety spot.
21. Green Bay Packers – Jarvis Landry
Jarvis Landry’s production came on by mid-season, and he finished as the rookie class’s second highest reception leader. He’d fit in perfectly in the Packers offense, better than Davante Adams.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – Jordan Matthews
Instead of waiting until round two, the Eagles would likely target their now-number two receiver as early as possible. He’s proven to be a perfect fit for Chip Kelly’s offense.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – Allen Robinson
Desperate for receiver help, the Chiefs would have certainly addressed the position in-draft. Allen Robinson was on his way to a fantastic rookie year before his injury, and he fits the type of receiver Alex Smith would work best with.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Preston Brown
The Bengals linebackers were not great this year, while Preston Brown has been a surprisingly impactful player for the Bills defense. He’d fit in at middle and strong side linebacker in Cincinnati.
25. San Diego Chargers – Marcus Martin
San Diego has had a turnstile at the position this year, whereas Marcus Martin has been a solid starter at the position. He could have been a season-long answer to the position.
26. Cleveland Browns – Brandin Cooks
Getting Derek Carr and Bradin Cooks over Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel may not have been as sexy on draft day, but you’d better believe they’d rather that now.
27. New Orleans Saints – Aaron Lynch
He had character issues, his main reason for falling on draft day, but his flashes as a pass rusher when Aldon Smith was out would have been more interesting to watch if he was the featured rusher for the Saints.
28. Carolina Panthers – Taylor Lewan
The Panthers don’t get their #1 receiver in this re-draft, so instead they’d opt for a top offensive tackle. Despite his injury, Lewan showed enough in college and in limited film to merit a first round pick.
29. New England Patriots – Timmy Jernigan
Jernigan’s motor was a question in college, but his role as the Ravens starting 5-technique now has proven doubters wrong in his career so far.
30. San Francisco 49ers – Chris Borland
While they had no way of knowing Navarro Bowman’s injury, the 49ers are thankful they had Borland now. He’s been more valuable than their original first-rounder Jimmie Ward.
31. Denver Broncos – Blake Bortles
Bortles struggles have been disappointing to watch, and concerns over whether he’s the answer have already surfaced. The Broncos would have sat him all season long. Rumors were, the Broncos were interested in trading above the Cowboys had he started to slip.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Justin Britt
The team’s surprise second-round pick hasn’t been great, but he’s been solid in pass protection and not a liability in the run game’s success this year.
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