NFL Analysis
12/30/24
18 min read
Re-Drafting 2024 NFL Draft As Rookie Seasons Near End
The 2024 NFL Draft class has looked like one of the best in years, with rookies across the league having huge impacts on their respective teams.
Along with a class of top quarterback talent, the 2024 class features a handful of pass catchers who are setting franchise (and NFL) rookie records. Even some of the later-round picks have emerged as draft-day steals for their teams.
Teams don't get redos in the NFL, but if the league were able to do a full redraft for the first round, here's what it would look like.
2024 NFL Re-Draft
Jayden gliding for the 1st 🏃♂️💨
— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024
📺: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/5XM5j0zhYz
1. Chicago Bears 
Pick: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
It's not like Caleb Williams has been the problem in Chicago, but the Bears would have a hard time passing on Jayden Daniels after seeing what he's done this year. Along with being an efficient passer, he's also set the rookie record for rushing yards from a quarterback, rushing for 864 yards with a game to play.
It might not have made much of a difference who played QB in Chicago this year, but the electric play style of Daniels would be too tempting to pass up on.
2. Washington Commanders
Pick: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Instead of swapping Daniels and Williams, the Commanders could take a swing on Drake Maye. Despite playing on a brutal New England Patriots team, Maye has done an impressive job of holding his own.
The numbers don't look impressive for Maye, who has thrown 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. However, considering the talent around him, the rookie QB deserves credit for how he's been able to get the Patriots to put points on the board.
3. New England Patriots
Pick: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Believe it or not, Caleb Williams is actually shattering franchise records in Chicago.
Unfortunately, many of those records seem easily attainable compared to the passing records of other teams. That being said, Williams is still a talented quarterback capable of playing efficiently while still being dangerous off-script.
It would likely look really ugly in Year 1 with Williams in New England, but with a built-out offense around him, he could turn things around in future years.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Pick: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
If Malik Nabers could have this kind of season with the Giants, imagine how good he would be with a quarterback like Kyler Murray.
Nabers has caught 104 passes for 1,140 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie in just 14 games. He's electric after the catch and has the alpha mentality that he expects the ball to be thrown his way as much as possible. It's tough long-term to think about passing on Marvin Harrison Jr., but Nabers has such an explosive play style that he could be an instant contributor to Arizona's offense.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Pick: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
There's not much to say here. The Los Angeles Chargers knew what they needed in the trenches and took what might have been the safest pick in the draft in Joe Alt.
Alt has done everything the Chargers expected him to do as a rookie, holding his own at the right tackle spot and looking like a future Pro Bowler and All-Pro. Why would they want a redo on such a good pick?
Brian Thomas Jr says hes TOO SMALL !!
— Fitz (@LaurieFitzptrck) December 29, 2024
Slot fade Touchdown pic.twitter.com/w95rI2xg3H
6. New York Giants
Pick: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Harrison Jr. continues to slide in this draft, but not because he's bad by any means. It's more about the incredible seasons that other receivers like Brian Thomas Jr. are having.
Even with injuries to Trevor Lawrence that have kept him sidelined as of late, BTJ continues to be one of the most productive wideouts in football. He's caught 80 passes for 1,179 yards and 10 touchdowns, looking like a home-run threat at all times with his height-weight-speed profile.
They'll still need to figure out the quarterback position, but whoever they would have taken at quarterback in this redraft would have had no one to throw to.
7. Tennessee Titans
Pick: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
The Titans drafted an offensive lineman hoping to build around Will Levis. However, the second-year quarterback looked so brutal as a decision-maker this season that the Titans would probably have been interested in dipping their toes into the quarterback class instead.
Bo Nix has might be boosted up because of his fit with Sean Payton in Denver's offense. However, his college experience along with his arm talent could make him someone who could immediately slot in and be comfortable running the Titans offense.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Pick: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta
The Falcons got hammered for taking a quarterback in the top 10 after signing Kirk Cousins to a massive long-term deal. However, with the hindsight of knowing that Cousins would have a sharp drop-off in play because of age and injury, they'd probably still be thrilled to stick with Michael Penix Jr.
Penix has shown signs of being a legitimate starter in his first two starts for Atlanta. It's going to be a work in progress, but the Falcons will know more about their rookie in 2025.
9. Chicago Bears
Pick: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Rome Odunze has felt like an afterthought in Chicago's offense behind DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. Maybe it's because there are too many mouths to feed, or maybe the Bears needed a different body type and play style at the position.
Marvin Harrison Jr. feels like a better fit with Moore and Allen. He's a big-bodied acrobat who can make all kinds of difficult catches along the sideline but also has the speed and route running to get open through press coverage. That feels like a weapon who could have been a more instant contributor for the Bears.
10. Minnesota Vikings
Pick: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Instead of taking a quarterback with Sam Darnold looking like a long-term franchise option, the Vikings can build up their defense.
Cooper DeJean was only a second-round pick, but he's played so well that he vaults into the top 10 of this redraft. He has been a beast in the slot for Philadelphia this season, racking up 38 solo tackles, six pass breakups, and a forced fumble. He's allowed a passer rating of just 82.2 when targeted, with zero touchdowns allowed in coverage.
Injury concerns kept DeJean out of the first round, but this redraft allows Brian Flores to stick him in the slot and add another impact player to the most aggressive defense in football.
Now we're Brockin'#ProBowlVote + @brockbowers17#JAXvsLV | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/25GmNBXNbq
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 22, 2024
11. New York Jets
Pick: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Olu Fashanu could become a great offensive tackle one day, but an impact tight end in the middle of the field could have changed a lot about the New York Jets season, at least on offense.
Brock Bowers has set multiple rookie records this season, including the most catches for any rookie in a single season. He's caught 108 passes for 1,144 yards and four touchdowns, dominating Las Vegas' target share as their No. 1 target.
Aaron Rodgers could have used a reliable tight end with the way the offense looked this year. It might not have meant a playoff run, but it at least would have helped the Jets offense look a tick more competent.
12. Denver Broncos
Pick: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Payton seemed hellbent on getting Bo Nix in Denver this offseason. It's unclear how he'd feel if the Broncos picked a different quarterback like J.J. McCarthy, but this is a playoff-caliber team that still needs a quarterback to be competitive.
McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, so it's hard to say how good he will be in the NFL. Regardless, his college tape at Michigan looked promising enough to think he could become a franchise quarterback with Payton's coaching.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
Pick: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
With Bowers and all the top quarterbacks off of the board, the Raiders should consider taking the top remaining pass catcher on the board.
That turns out to be Ladd McConkey, who has been one of the biggest surprises of this year's draft class. He showed real ability at Georgia but has become the top weapon for Justin Herbert, catching 77 passes for 1,054 yards and seven touchdowns.
McConkey can be a dangerous target in the slot to help out whoever the next Raiders quarterback ends up being in 2025.
14. New Orleans Saints
Pick: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
Taliese Fuaga has done a solid job of holding down the left tackle spot for New Orleans. However, Olu Fashanu might present a higher ceiling.
Fashanu was taken by the Jets at No. 11 in the original draft but falls a few spots because of the breakout years from QBs and WRs across the league. He's a 6-foot-6, 315-pound tackle who has done an admirable job filling in for a future Hall of Famer in Tyron Smith to protect Aaron Rodgers' blind side this season. He has legitimate long-term potential and could be an upgrade over Fuaga.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Pick: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
For as promising as Laiatu Latu has looked, Jared Verse has looked like the best pass rusher in this draft class.
Verse has the slight edge over Latu in sacks, beating him out by half of a sack at 4.5 on the year. However, Verse dominates in pressures, ranking near the top of the NFL with 74 this season. He's a dominant power rusher who can also be an asset in run defense, making him an awesome piece for the Colts.
Dominick Puni highlights through Week 8. The foot speed & recovery ability is special pic.twitter.com/XD3IgdAcNc
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) October 29, 2024
16. Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Dominick Puni, iOL, Kansas
Byron Murphy could turn into a dominant defensive lineman, but the bigger issue the Seahawks have faced this year is keeping a clean pocket for Geno Smith.
The guard play in Seattle has been particularly disappointing, but that could change quickly by slotting in Dominick Puni. The rookie out of Kansas has thrived in San Francisco as a starter, plugging away in the run game and holding his own in pass protection. He'd be an instant upgrade and potentially do enough to help Seattle sneak into the playoffs.
17. Minnesota Vikings
Pick: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Dallas Turner was the original pick, but when it comes to guys who look like potential breakout pass rushers, Chop Robinson belongs at the top of that list.
After Verse, Robinson is second among rookies with 52 pressures this season. He's getting home on those pressures as well, with six sacks. He's an explosive athlete with a great get-off and a 254-pound frame to hold his own at the point of attack.
Turner's length makes him an appealing option to stick with, but Robinson is already dominating at the NFL level.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: T'Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas
Amarius Mims is a giant of a man, but the Bengals' defense is so bad that they'd consider a giant on the other side of the ball in this redraft.
T'Vondre Sweat, a 362-pound defensive lineman, had concerns about his stamina heading into the NFL. However, he has played at a very high level all season, playing 664 snaps with 22 pressures and a shockingly low 4.1 missed tackle rate.
The Bengals are so weak up front on defense that Sweat could at least plug some holes and open up things for the rest of the defense, making them that much more competent as a unit.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Pick: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Losing out on Verse hurts for the Rams, but they have enough other promising young pass rushers that they could take a swing on a top cornerback instead in this redraft.
Quinyon Mitchell might end up being the best cornerback in this draft. He hasn't recorded an interception yet but has 12 pass breakups and a passer rating allowed of just 87.0 despite being targeted 69 times this season.
Mitchell could come into Los Angeles and compete for a top cornerback spot.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: Zach Frazier, iOL, West Virginia
The Steelers may have gotten to wait until the second round to take Zach Frazier in April. However, if they don't take Frazier here, they won't get him back by the time they're back on the clock.
Frazier has been one of the best rookie offensive linemen in the league, dominating as a run blocker in the trenches for Pittsburgh. He's still developing in pass protection but hasn't been a liability on that front.
This season looks a lot different for the Steelers without Frazier, making him someone the Steelers have to make sure they keep in the redraft.
The Chargers getting Tarheeb Still in the 5th round was one of the best value picks of the draft pic.twitter.com/ouQZuDVjPz
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) December 2, 2024
21. Miami Dolphins
Pick: Tarheeb Still, CB, Maryland
A pass rusher could be worth taking with Robinson off the board, but there aren't many exciting cornerbacks left on the board in this redraft.
Tarheeb Still has been one of the most surprising rookies in the league. A fifth-round pick, he's almost single-handedly shut down opposing passing games. He's allowed 40 catches on 65 targets with two touchdowns allowed but four interceptions and a 70.4 passer rating allowed in coverage.
It looks like Still could have a long career as a ball-hawking cornerback in the NFL, which is incredible considering where he was drafted.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky
Losing out on Mitchell and DeJean in this redraft is brutal. But there are still at least a couple of tenacious slot corners on the board.
Andru Phillips has quietly been an awesome player for the Giants this season. Along with an interception and pass breakup, Phillips has been a real asset as a tackler, coming away with 42 solo tackles, two forced fumbles, and 29 defensive stops.
He's not as impressive as DeJean has been this year, but he's not a bad consolation prize for the Eagles.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
After losing out on Brian Thomas Jr., the Jaguars still need to find a weapon to spark this offense.
Rome Odunze has been quiet in his rookie year after being a huge star in college, but he's put up decent numbers with 52 catches for 716 yards and three scores. However, a large part of that could be because the other receivers need the ball on that Bears offense, along with a shaky offensive game plan.
Perhaps a change of scenery and a chance to be the guy in Jacksonville could lead to Odunze being considered a future star at the position.
24. Detroit Lions
Pick: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
This is the equivalent of getting a gift for someone who has everything. Injuries may have plagued this team, but it's loaded on both sides of the ball when fully healthy. That being said, adding another pass rusher would be important for this team going forward.
Laiatu Latu has been a solid pass rusher for a struggling Colts defense, generating 4.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 37 pressures. Having a more dominant defense around him in Detroit could allow him to be an even more dangerous rookie.
All four Edgerrin Cooper TFLs against the Vikings. pic.twitter.com/HpWJtkc6z9
— Brandon Carwile (@BCarwile_NFL) December 30, 2024
25. Green Bay Packers
Pick: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
For as improved as the Packers defense has looked under Jeff Hafley, the flaws on the team's roster have started to get exposed in recent weeks. Teams are attacking the middle of Green Bay's defense and banged-up secondary with screens and intermediate in-breaking routes, putting pressure on their linebackers.
However, Edgerrin Cooper has been a huge bright spot in that linebacker room as a second-round pick. He's been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week twice and had another four TFLs in Sunday's loss to the Vikings. He's an explosive and lightning-fast LB with developing instincts, and Hafley's defense has been perfect for his development.
Cooper won't last to the second round in this redraft, and he's been too valuable to the Packers' defense to have them passing up on him with their first-round pick.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Things might look a bit different for Tampa Bay's offense without Graham Barton at center, but the Buccaneers could bolster their secondary in the first round by taking a dominant rookie in Kamari Lassiter.
Kamari Lassiter had some impressive tape at Georgia as a second-round pick but has taken that to a new level in DeMeco Ryans' defensive scheme. He's allowed a passer rating of just 69.1 this season, racking up three interceptions and 10 PBUs.
That kind of impact at cornerback would be a huge boost to Tampa Bay's secondary.
27. Arizona Cardinals
Pick: Braden Fiske, DL, Florida State
The Cardinals haven't had much help up front on the defensive line this season. That would change with Braden Fiske in the trenches.
Fiske has been a steal for the Rams this season, generating 48 pressures with eight sacks and two forced fumbles. He isn't the biggest or longest DL, but he is so athletic and effective as a pass rusher that he would be an instant starter for Arizona.
28. Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Xavier Worthy brings a really exciting, explosive wrinkle to the Chiefs' offense in the playoffs and in the future, even if he's had some rookie lumps this season.
A 165-pound wide receiver wouldn't work out for most teams, but other NFL teams don't have Patrick Mahomes under center. Worthy has started to find his footing in recent weeks, and looks like he could be a dangerous part of this offense.
He won't be a first-round pick for another team, but the Chiefs would still take what Worthy brings compared to the other receivers on the board.
29. Dallas Cowboys
Pick: Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
A backfield with some of the oldest running backs in the league was never going to work. Instead, imagine how dominant this Cowboys offense would have looked with Bucky Irving in the backfield.
Despite being a fourth-round pick, Irving currently leads the NFL with 4.16 yards after contact per rushing attempt. He has a compact frame with excellent contact balance and refuses to go down after initial contact, allowing him to pick up yards in bunches and continue to move the chains.
That kind of chain-moving running back has been sorely missing in Dallas' offense all year. Things could have looked a lot different for them with Irving in the backfield.
30. Baltimore Ravens
Pick: JC Latham, OL, Alabama
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the best offenses in football this year, and Lamar Jackson is pushing hard for his third MVP award.
Now imagine that offense with another road grader up front.
JC Latham is a 335-pound tackle who dominated on the right side of Alabama's offense in college. He's been decent at left tackle for the Titans but might have been better suited to play right tackle or guard at the NFL level.
Regardless of where the Ravens want to put him, he'd be an excellent addition to help Derrick Henry in the run game and protect Jackson in the passing game.
Keon Coleman just SINGLE-HANDEDLY won Josh Allen the MVP.
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) December 29, 2024
The Bills rookie WR is a FREAK 🔥 pic.twitter.com/A7lBr5xXgs
31. San Francisco 49ers
Pick: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Ricky Pearsall is still finding his footing after missing the early part of the season with a gunshot wound. However, Keon Coleman looks like an even more ideal fit for the 49ers offense.
Even at full health, Coleman could play a different role from Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. He's a big-bodied WR capable of winning through contact and in jump-ball situations, and is thriving in Buffalo with 525 yards and four touchdowns on the year.
That kind of big-bodied target would open up the rest of San Francisco's offense.
32. Carolina Panthers
Pick: Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas
There are still so many needs on the Carolina Panthers defense that it's hard to pick a player to round out the first round. However, given who is left on the board, Byron Murphy II might end up being the best long-term move.
Murphy isn't the flashiest prospect remaining, but he's a solid pick because of his pass-rushing ability and effectiveness against the run. He has yet to play his best football in Seattle but has shown flashes of being a long-term starter in the NFL.
