NFL Analysis
12/15/23
11 min read
2022 NFL Draft Do-Over: How High Does Brock Purdy Go?
The 2022 NFL Draft was one of the weaker Drafts in recent memory, but there are a few players who have seen their stock dramatically rise this season. But who would be the top pick in this class if the Jacksonville Jaguars could re-do their selection at No. 1?
And where would Brock Purdy land? Here is our complete 2022 NFL re-draft with four games remaining in the 2023 NFL season.
2022 NFL Draft Do-Over
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati 
Original Pick: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
There isn’t a clear-cut No. 1 overall player from the 2022 NFL Draft, but Sauce Gardner is as close as it gets. He might be the NFL’s best cornerback and already has an All-Pro selection under his belt.
Adding a dynamic cornerback such as Gardner would transform the Jaguars' defense into an elite unit.
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Original Pick: Hutchinson
Aidan Hutchinson is a culture changer for the Detroit Lions and has made several big plays to help them win games in the last two years. He has already seen his production improve in Year 2, and you can make a case he should go No. 1 in this re-draft.
3. Houston Texans: Derek Stingley Jr, CB, LSU
Original Pick: Stingley Jr.
Derek Stingley Jr. has struggled to stay healthy, but his talent is incredible. He single-handedly won the Houston Texans a game in Week 13 with two interceptions against the Broncos.
If he can stay healthy, Stingley could be the best cornerback in the league sooner rather than later.
4. New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Original Pick: Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Garrett Wilson was the second receiver selected in the 2022 draft and "fell" to No. 10. But there is no way he wouldn't go higher now, as he is on his way to his second-straight 1,000-yard season.
Wilson has all the traits you want from a No. 1 receiver and has produced despite horrendous quarterback play.
5. New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Original Pick: Thibodeaux
Kayvon Thibodeaux's taken a bit to reach his potential, but he is already a double-digit sack player in Year 2. He is one of the league's top young edge rushers and is only getting better. The Giants needed an elite pass rusher, and Thibodeaux has been exactly that this season.
6. Carolina Panthers: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Original Pick: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
You could argue that the Carolina Panthers should select Purdy here, but their roster isn't ready for that type of quarterback. Instead, they take one of the most quarterback-friendly receivers in the league: Chris Olave.
He’s already racked up 1,960 yards and eight touchdowns in 28 games despite playing with Andy Dalton, Derek Carr, Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill at quarterback.
7. New York Giants: Tyler Smith, OG, Tulsa
Original Pick: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The New York Giants had the right idea selecting an offensive lineman here, they just took the wrong one. Tyler Smith played left tackle as a rookie but has settled in nicely at left guard.
He could be an All-Pro selection in Year 2 and would be the perfect player to pair with Andrew Thomas for the next decade.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Brock Purdy, QB, Iowa State
Original Pick: Drake London, WR, USC
Slotting Purdy is tough. He is one of the favorites to win the NFL MVP award, but it's clear the system and the talent around him are incredible. He would play behind a solid offensive line and a great rushing attack with the Atlanta Falcons.
Purdy would be a significant upgrade over anyone the Falcons have had at quarterback in the last several seasons.
9. Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross, LT, Mississippi State
Original Pick: Cross
Charles Cross was the original pick by the Seahawks, and we are staying with it. He's struggled to stay healthy this year but has all the makings of a franchise left tackle. Those are hard to come by, and his play has been pretty good through the first two seasons of his career.
10. New York Jets: Drake London, WR, USC
Original Pick: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
With Wilson and Olave off the board, the Jets take the best receiver left. Drake London has been a bit inconsistent in the last two years, but that has a lot to do with his quarterback play. London is a huge target who is only 22 and who has racked up more than 1,600 receiving yards in 29 games.
11. New Orleans Saints: Daron Bland, CB, Fresno State
Original Pick: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Wide receiver is still a major problem for the New Orleans Saints, but there isn't one on the board worth taking at this spot. Instead, they take DaRon Bland, who has 13 interceptions in 19 starts.
Pairing Bland with Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo would give the Saints the best cornerback trio in the NFL.
12. Detroit Lions: Kyle Hamilton, SS, Notre Dame
Original Pick: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
You can make a good argument Kyle Hamilton should go higher than this. He is the modern-day safety who can cover, play the run and blitz. He has fantastic size, but he can also cover slot receivers. The Detroit Lions need more play-makers on defense, and Hamilton fits the bill.
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Riq Woolen, CB, UTSA
Original Pick: Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia
The Philadelphia Eagles have gotten old and slow at cornerback in a hurry. Riq Woolen is one of the biggest and most athletic cornerbacks we've ever seen. While he hasn't been as good during the 2023 season, he is still a high-quality cornerback who would be a massive upgrade in Philadelphia.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Original Pick: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
The Baltimore Ravens "stole" Tyler Linderbaum with the No. 25 pick, but they are forced to take him much earlier in this re-draft. Linderbaum is already one of the top five centers in the league and is a cornerstone for the Ravens moving forward.
15. Houston Texans: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
Original Pick: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
The Houston Texans could use more interior offensive line help, but instead, they take the best edge rusher on the board. Jermaine Johnson had a quiet rookie season, but he's blossomed in Year 2.
Pairing him with Will Anderson would give the Texans bookend pass rushers for the next decade.
16. Washington Commanders: Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah
Original Pick: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
The offensive tackle play hasn’t been bad for the Commanders, but they could use a long-term option at left tackle. Braxton Jones has quickly become one of the best pass-protecting tackles in the league.
He has outstanding size and length and could be a high-end starter for the next several years.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Original Pick: Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College
Jordan Davis hasn't been a dominant player in the NFL, but he has made strides in Year 2. He is still working to become a useful pass rusher, but the Los Angeles Chargers need someone who can stop the run in the middle of their defense.
18. Tennessee Titans: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Original Pick: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The actual No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft falls to No. 18, which is where he probably should have been drafted originally. Travon Walker has improved as a pass rusher in Year 2 but needs to be in a scheme that better fits his skill set.
Putting him in Mike Vrabel's defense with Jeffrey Simmons, Denico Autry and Harold Landry would make him far more productive.
19. New Orleans Saints: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Original Pick: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The Saints passed on a wide receiver with their first selection but add a play-maker at No. 19. Jahan Dotson has had a somewhat quiet sophomore season, but he is still a fine player who would fit well in the Saints' offense.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Markquese Bell, LB, Florida A&M
Original Pick: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers used this selection on Kenny Pickett, but there is no way they would make that move in retrospect. Instead, they address the linebacker position, which has been a significant issue for them in the last two seasons.
Markquese Bell went undrafted in 2022, but he is the modern-day linebacker with speed and coverage ability. There aren't many young linebackers in the NFL you would take instead of Bell at this point.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: George Pickens, WR, Georgia
Original Pick: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
It's no secret that the Kansas City Chiefs need more weapons to help Patrick Mahomes. Instead of picking Skyy Moore on Day 2, they take George Pickens at No. 21.
Pickens isn’t the most well-rounded receiver, but his size, speed and ability to win 50-50 balls would make him the perfect X-receiver in Kansas City.
22. Green Bay Packers: Zach Tom, OL, Wake Forest
Original Pick: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
The Green Bay Packers were able to steal Zach Tom in the fourth round (pick No. 140), and he has since started 17 games for Green Bay. He’s already developed into one of the best right tackles in the league, and his position flexibility makes him a big value at No. 22.
23. Buffalo Bills: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Original Pick: Kaiir Elam, CB, Flordia
Christian Watson has had major problems staying healthy, but his combination of size and speed is unique. Pairing him with Josh Allen would almost be unfair, especially with the other weapons in Buffalo.
Watson wouldn't be relied upon as the No. 1 weapon, but he would make the Buffalo Bills one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
Original Pick: Tyler Smith, OG, Tulsa
With Bland off the board, the Dallas Cowboys almost have to go cornerback. Martin Emerson fits the mold of a Dan Quinn cornerback with elite size and length. Emerson has developed into a solid outside cornerback and would be a perfect fit in Dallas.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
Original Pick: Tyler Linderbaum, OC, Iowa
Boye Mafe has made considerable strides in Year 2, recording seven sacks in 12 games. He’s become the Seahawks' most consistent pass rusher and would be an outstanding edge rusher in Mike Macdonald’s defense.
The Ravens have invested a lot of picks into their defensive line, but none have hit yet. Mafe would easily be their top edge rusher.
26. New York Jets: Bernhard Raimann, LT, Central Michigan
Original Pick: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
Bernhard Raimann had a rough outing in Week 13, but he's been a solid left tackle for the Colts this season. He is on the older side (26), which is partially why he falls in this draft. But getting a starting-caliber tackle at pick No. 26 would be a steal for the New York Jets.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Original Pick: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Jameson Williams has not done much in his NFL career to date. He’s appeared in just 15 games and has totaled 299 yards. However, it’s still rare to find someone with his speed, and it does look like he is starting to get healthy. Giving Trevor Lawrence a legit speedster at receiver would make the Jacksonville Jaguars' offense even more dynamic.
28. Green Bay Packers: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Original Pick: Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia
The Packers chose Quay Walker instead of Devin Lloyd in the 2022 NFL Draft, which is starting to look like a mistake. Walker has improved some in 2023 but is still a liability against the run.
Meanwhile, Lloyd is one of the top run defenders in the league and has already accumulated 214 tackles in 28 games. For a defense that has struggled to stop the run, Lloyd would be a massive improvement right away.
29. New England Patriots: Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
Original Pick: Cole Strang, IOL, Chattanooga
The New England Patriots have had a lot of problems on the offensive line this season, and a big reason why is their tackle play. Abraham Lucas has been a really solid right tackle for the Seahawks, but he can play multiple positions.
The Patriots would have to shuffle things around to make this work, but adding another high-quality tackle to the roster would be a big win.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Goedeke, OL, Central Michigan
Original Pick: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Right tackle has been a major issue for the Chiefs during the last several years, despite their investments in the position. Luke Goedeke was selected in Round 2 by the Buccaneers and is having a breakout season at right tackle.
He has position flexibility and would instantly improve the right side of the offensive line for the Chiefs.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado
Original Pick: Dax Hil, S, Michigan
The Bengals have struggled to find consistent play at tight end for years. But Trey McBride would be the perfect fit, especially with Joe Burrow.
McBride is a monster after the catch and can line up all over the field. Pairing him with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins would make the Cincinnati Bengals borderline unstoppable on offense.
32. Minnesota Vikings: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
Original Pick: Lewis Cine, S, Minnesota
The Minnesota Vikings have gotten fine production out of their running backs this season. Putting Breece Hall in Minnesota with all of the Vikings' other weapons would be a sight to see. Plus, his speed and quickness would be even more impressive in a dome where he can really shine.
It’s usually not a great idea to take a running back in the first round, but there aren’t many better options available at pick No. 32. Hall could instantly make the Vikings more dynamic on offense and give them more speed on that side of the ball.
