NFL Analysis
2/20/25
16 min read
Re-Drafting 2024 NFL Draft After 1 Year
The 2025 NFL Draft is just more than two months away, and with the NFL Combine starting next week, the process is really heating up.
Before that event in Indianapolis kicks off, let’s take a look back at the 2024 NFL Draft and ponder what Round 1 might look like one year later:
Re-Drafting 2024 NFL Draft
1. Chicago Bears: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Original Pick: Caleb Williams
Jayden Daniels took the league by storm as a rookie, leading the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship Game. While Caleb Williams could still turn out to be a franchise quarterback, the pick is easy here at No. 1.
Daniels had arguably the greatest rookie season ever, and his calmness, poise, and attitude helped transform a lost franchise.
2. Washington Commanders: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Original Pick: Jayden Daniels
With Daniels off the board, the Commanders take Caleb Williams and pair him with his former offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury.
It’s hard to imagine Williams having the same level of success in Washington as Daniels, but with better coaching, it certainly would have been a more favorable landing spot.
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, UNC
Original Pick: Drake Maye
There is no reason to expect anything different here, as Maye showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie season. In fact, he was one of the few bright spots on the entire roster for the New England Patriots.
Now, the front office's job is to surround Maye with the right talent so he can take a big step forward in Year 2.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Original Pick: Marvin Harrison Jr.
You can make a good argument that the Arizona Cardinals should take a wide receiver here, and Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers would certainly be strong options.
However, adding Jared Verse, a Pro Bowl pass rusher, to this defense would be a welcome addition. The Cardinals had one of the league's worst pass rushes last season, but adding Verse here at No. 4 would fix that.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Original Pick: Joe Alt
It would be tempting to grab one of the top receivers with this pick, but we are giving the tiebreaker to the original pick.
Joe Alt was as good as advertised and successfully made the transition to right tackle. The Los Angeles Chargers have two outstanding offensive tackles that give them the foundation for a strong front for years to come.
6. New York Giants: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Original Pick: Malik Nabers
Malik Nabers had a fantastic rookie season, but the choice here couldn’t be any more obvious. The New York Giants need a franchise quarterback, and Nix did enough as a rookie to get people excited.
While he might not have the ceiling of Maye or Williams, he’s a solid quarterback who would be a massive upgrade for New York.
7. Tennessee Titans: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Original Pick: J.C. Latham
The Tennessee Titans don’t have a massive need at tight end, but Brock Bowers is too good of a player to pass up at this spot.
He set the record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in NFL history and is already one of the league’s top playmakers.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Original Pick: Michael Penix Jr.
This was a controversial pick at the time, as the Atlanta Falcons had just signed Kirk Cousins for big money in free agency. In hindsight, it was a fantastic pick since Penix replaced Cousins at the end of the season, and the offense took off.
Penix only started a handful of games in 2024, but there is a lot to be excited about heading into the 2025 season.
9. Chicago Bears: Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU
Original Pick: Rome Odunze
The Chicago Bears selected Rome Odunze with this pick to pair him with Williams. Odunze had a fine rookie season, but Brian Thomas Jr. might be the best receiver in the class.
Pairing Thomas with Daniels would be unfair for opposing defenses moving forward.
10. Minnesota Vikings: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Original Pick: J.J. McCarthy
You can certainly make the case that J.J. McCarthy would still be the pick at No. 10 due to the value of quarterbacks. However, with McCarthy’s season-ending knee injury and Sam Darnold's emergence, it’s not crazy to look elsewhere.
Quinyon Mitchell was a star for the Eagles and is already one of the best defensive backs in the league. Putting him with Brian Flores would greatly improve Minnesota’s defense for the next several seasons.
11. New York Jets: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Original Pick: Olumuyiwa Fashanu
The New York Jets picked Olumuyiwa Fashanu with the idea that protecting Aaron Rodgers would extend his career. But Rodgers just wasn’t good enough, and Fashanu didn't see the field until late into his rookie season.
Instead, the Jets pair Garrett Wilson with Malik Nabers, giving them the best young wide receiver duo in the league.
12. Denver Broncos: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Original Pick: Bo Nick
The Denver Broncos stuck oil with Nix, who led them to the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2015. However, Nix is off the board, so Sean Payton takes another quarterback in McCarthy.
Unfortunately, McCarthy did not play in 2024 due to a knee injury, but taking a quarterback is a must for the Broncos, especially considering the division that they play in.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
Original Pick: Brock Bowers
The Las Vegas Raiders stole Bowers at pick No. 13, but he doesn’t make it back to them in this re-draft.
Instead, they take Marvin Harrison Jr, who many viewed as a generational receiving prospect at No. 13. Harrison had nearly 900 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie, and his best football is still to come.
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Original Pick: Taliese Fuaga
The New Orleans Saints were awful on the offensive line this year, but most of that was due to injuries. Taliese Fuaga dealt with a back injury for most of the season, but he was solid when on the field.
Considering the state of their offensive line, there is no reason to think the Saints would change their approach with the No. 14 pick.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Original Pick: Laiatu Latu
EDGE rusher was a big need for the Indianapolis Colts going into the 2024 offseason, and they found a superstar in Laiatu Latu. The only concern with him was the injuries, but he played all 17 games as a rookie.
Expect a major leap to happen in Year 2, especially in Lou Anarumou’s defense.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
Original Pick: Byron Murphy
Zach Frazier fell to the middle of Round 2, but he was one of the best centers in the NFL as a rookie. He fits any scheme, and his toughness makes him a perfect fit for the Seattle Seahawks.
Drafting a center in the middle of Round 1 usually isn’t the best value, but Frazier projects as a 10-year starter and would instantly improve the interior offensive line for the Seahawks.
17. Minnesota Vikings: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Original Pick: Dallas Turner
The Minnesota Vikings already selected one Eagles defensive back (Quinyon Mitchell) earlier in Round 1, so why not do it again with Cooper DeJean?
It’s still a mystery as to why DeJean fell to Round 2, but he would be a fantastic fit with Brian Flores, considering DeJean's ability to play multiple positions at a high level. Adding Mitchell and DeJean to this defense would make it arguably the best in the NFL.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Original Pick: Amarius Mims
The Cincinnati Bengals addressed their offensive line early with Mims, but much like his college career, he struggled to stay on the field.
In this re-draft, the Bengals select Chop Robinson, who was an outstanding rusher in the second half of the season. Adding him with Trey Hendrickson would give the Bengals two good EDGE rushers, and it would be a great step in rebuilding their defense.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Original Pick: Jared Verse
Jared Verse was selected at No. 4 in this re-draft, and Braden Fiske was considered for this pick. That said, Ladd McConkey would be the perfect pairing with Puka Nacua, giving Matthew Stafford two dynamic weapons who get open and make plays after the catch.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
Original Pick: Troy Fautanu
Fautanu missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury, and there were some health concerns coming into the draft. Instead, the Pittsburgh Steelers take T’Vondre Sweat to shore up their run defense.
Sweat was a dominant run defender as a rookie, and the thought of pairing him with Cameron Heyward would be terrifying for opposing offenses.
21. Miami Dolphins: Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
Original Pick: Chop Robinson
All of the top EDGE defenders are off the board, so the Miami Dolphins pivot and select Braden Fiske, who was in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Miami needs to get bigger and stronger up front, and Fiske would allow them to do so while providing a pass-rushing upside.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Original Pick: Quinyon Mitchell
The Philadelphia Eagles saw not one but both of their first two picks come off the board before pick No. 22.
However, they still get a quality cornerback in Nate Wiggins, who has the athleticism and speed to be a top-end player in the near future.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Original Pick: Brian Thomas Jr.
Thomas Jr. was the first receiver off the board in our NFL re-draft, which shows us just how well the Jacksonville Jaguars did at pick No. 23.
With Thomas gone, they’ll want to make sure to add another weapon to the offense, and Xavier Worthy’s speed with Trevor Lawrence would be fun to watch. Worthy was fantastic as a rookie and will only get better with time. His best football is still to come.
24. Detroit Lions: Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
Original Pick: Terrion Arnold
The Detroit Lions had the right idea by taking a cornerback at No. 24, and Arnold still has a good chance of becoming a big-time player.
Mike Sainristil is the perfect defensive back for Dan Campbell, as he is tough, gritty, and physical. He might not have the size to play outside, but he is a feisty defensive back that would fit Detroit’s culture well.
25. Green Bay Packers: Byron Murphy, DT, Texas
Original Pick: Jordan Morgan
The pass rush for the Green Bay Packers continues to be an issue, especially considering Devonte Wyatt hasn’t developed the way they’ve hoped. Instead, they take Byron Murphy, the top defensive tackle in this year’s draft to help improve that unit.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton, C, Duke
Original Pick: Graham Barton
Graham Barton was a Day 1 starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and their offensive line was one of the best in the league.
Barton was a tackle at Duke but had no problem adjusting to life at center in the NFL. There is no reason to think the Buccaneers would do anything different here.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Original Pick: Darius Robinson
Rome Odunze had a fine rookie season, but he falls out of the top-10 picks and into the latter part of Round 1 in this re-draft. The Cardinals needed a No. 1 receiver, but after passing on Marvin Harrison Jr., getting Odunze at pick No. 27 is a steal.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Original Pick: Xavier Worthy
The Kansas City Chiefs have to be thrilled with the production they received from Worthy, but he is already off the board at this spot, and there are no other receivers who make sense.
Instead, they take an offensive tackle to help shore up the line. Latham did not have a strong rookie season, but he has the size and power to be a dominating tackle in the run game. Pairing him with Joe Thuney for the next several years should certainly help his development.
29. Dallas Cowboys: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Original Pick: Tyler Guyton
The Dallas Cowboys traded down from pick No. 24 to No. 29 and grabbed Tyler Guyton, a developmental offensive tackle. In this re-draft, they are taking another developmental tackle in Olu Fashanu, who was a top-12 pick by the Jets.
He still has a ways to go, but Fashanu showed enough during his rookie season to have hope that he could be a Pro Bowl player down the line.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
Original Pick: Nate Wiggins
Wiggins is already off the board, so the Baltimore Ravens pivot to their second-round pick, Roger Rosengarten. While it took a bit for Rosengarten to get settled, he became an every-week starter at right tackle and did a good job of surviving against the likes of Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt.
You can argue that he was the most successful rookie offensive tackle and is a major value at pick No. 30.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Original Pick: Ricky Pearsall
The lack of linebacker depth for the San Francisco 49ers was a major issue all season. They’ll likely have to address it in free agency in a few weeks, but in our re-draft, they go with Edgerrin Cooper to pair with Fred Werner.
Cooper was one of the best defenders for the Packers down the stretch, and his athleticism jumps off the screen.
32. Carolina Panthers: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Original Pick: Xavier Legette
The Carolina Panthers traded up to this pick to grab Xavier Legette, but his rookie season was very average.
Instead, they'll grab Dallas Turner, who many believed was the top EDGE rusher in the 2024 class before the draft. Turner had a slow start to his rookie season but should become an impact player in due time.
