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Incoming NFL rookies may need some time to get acclimated to the speed and nuances of football's highest level. After two years, however, it's easier to tell which players will or won't pan out.
With two seasons of professional game tape, many general managers would change their NFL Draft selections if given a do-over. Some nailed their pick the first time around.
Thanks to the beauty of the internet, we get to play the hypothetical game. Below, I redraft the entire first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
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Picks 1-10
1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Original Pick: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
The Jaguars, without a clear-cut top pick in this draft, take an impact defender. It's not the edge rusher that they sought initially, but rather a cornerback. Sauce Gardner changes the way offenses think. He can shut down an entire side of the football field. He's been named to the All-Pro team twice in as many seasons and surrendered just 29 catches for 251 yards in year two.
2. Detroit Lions - Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Original Pick: Hutchinson
Aidan Hutchinson was top the pass rusher in the 2022 NFL Draft. Nearly everyone (outside of Jacksonville) knew that to be the case. Two double-digit sack seasons later, including 14 in 2023, Hutchinson has established himself as one of the best rushers in the entire league, not just this particular draft. Detroit is more than content to add Hutchinson to their roster again.
3. Houston Texans - Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Original Pick: Stingley
Can't fault Houston for this selection. Although Stingley has struggled with injuries in his first two seasons, he's been an elite, lockdown cornerback when he's active. In 2023, he allowed zero catches in multiple games. He also added five interceptions. If he can play a full season in 2024, he'll be listed among the league's top-tier coverage corners.
4. New York Jets - Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Original Pick: Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Originally a late first-round pick, McDuffie shoots up the draft board following a First Team All-Pro season in 2023. Suddenly, cornerbacks, a position not usually targeted often at the top of drafts, are flying off of draft boards. McDuffie would be a nice replacement for the original Gardner selection that the Jets made.
5. New York Giants - Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Original Pick: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Thibodeaux has been a nice pass rusher for the Giants but their lack of any reliable receiving option has their offense stuck in mud. Whether it's Daniel Jones or another option under center, the 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year will get open with ease. Unfortunately for him, he begins his career again without an elite quarterback.
6. Carolina Panthers - Brock Purdy, QB, Iowa State
Original Pick: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
It says a lot about this draft that the man who was originally picked last is the first quarterback taken (and, spoiler alert, he's the only signal caller in the first round). Kenny Pickett, Desmond Ridder, Malik Willis, and others have all failed in their NFL journeys. Purdy may not be as alluring of a candidate without all of the weapons that he has in San Francisco, but the Panthers should take the chance.
7. New York Giants - Tyler Smith, OT/OG, Tulsa
Original Pick: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Evan Neal has played 20 games in two seasons. When he is healthy, he hasn't been the cornerstone of the offensive line that the Giants thought he would be. Neal has lined up at right tackle. Tyler Smith primarily plays left guard but also filled in admirably as a left tackle during his rookie season. His versatility would do wonders for one of the league's worst offensive lines.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Original Pick: Drake London, WR, USC
Safeties are rarely selected in the first round but Kyle Hamilton is a different breed. Similar to McDuffie, Hamilton also earned First Team All-Pro honors in 2023. He's a playmaker all over the field, totaling 81 tackles, four interceptions, and three sacks. He's the type of player that would cause any general manager to run to the podium with their draft card.
9. Seattle Seahawks - Zach Tom, OT, Wake Forest
Original Pick: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Charles Cross hasn't been bad as a blindside blocker for Seattle but health issues have taken him off of the field several times. Zach Tom doesn't line up on the left side but his play on the right side has planted him among the league's best. Tom surrendered two sacks in 17 games in 2023, bringing his total to three across two years. Tom did play left tackle in his final season at Wake Forest, so moving him to that side isn't outlandish.
10. New York Jets - Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Original Pick: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
With Garrett Wilson off of the board, the Jets still address their wide receiver issue with Wilson's former teammate. Seeing as both former Buckeyes have compiled back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons to begin their career, Olave can easily replicate what Wilson is doing in East Rutherford.
Picks 11-20
11. New Orleans Saints - Drake London, WR, USC
Original Pick: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
It's not unreasonable to believe that Drake London is the most talented receiver in this class still, even if the numbers don't prove it. The ex-USC Trojan hasn't reached quadruple digits yet in the yards department but he's been even worse off at quarterback than Wilson and Olave. Plus, his (now former) coach has insisted on a run-heavy approach. London is still worthy of a first-round selection and would supplant Olave nicely in New Orleans.
12. Detroit Lions - Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Original Pick: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
It may be an embarrassment of riches but Dan Campbell and Co. would be hard-pressed to turn down Hutchinson and Thibodeaux meeting at the quarterback. There's been minimal sack production opposite of the second-overall pick. Hutchinson, Thibodeaux, and Alim McNeill would form one of the most dangerous defensive lines in football. It's not like Jameson Williams has done anything to fill their need. The best player available strategy then comes into play.
13. Philadelphia Eagles - DaRon Bland, CB, Fresno State
Original Pick: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Philadelphia's corners were attacked relentlessly during the 2023 season. Having a young corner like Bland, who led the league in interceptions (9) in his second season, would help. Five of those picks ended with Bland in the end zone. Any time a team can find an All-Pro cornerback in the teens, it's a pick worth making.
14. Baltimore Ravens - Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Original Pick: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Linderbaum has started every (healthy) game that he's been a part of in his first two years. Originally selected by Baltimore later in the first round, the Ravens will have to spend more draft capital to claim one of the best centers in the NFL. Linderbaum didn't surrender a sack and his play helped propel Lamar Jackson toward another (presumptive) MVP trophy.
15. Houston Texans - Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah
Original Pick: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
Originally a fifth-round pick, Braxton Jones has been a key cog for the Chicago offensive line. Kenyon Green didn't play a single snap in 2023 due to injury and struggled mightily in his debut campaign. Laremy Tunsil has command of the left side of the line in Houston, but Jones could shift to one of the several other spots where there are holes, including right tackle.
16. Washington Commanders - Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Original Pick: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Commanders need a run-stuffing defensive tackle and there just so happens to be one that slipped down draft boards. Davis was a solid contributor to a Philadelphia rush defense that (at one point in 2023) was outright dominant. Davis would take on a bigger role on his new NFC East team.
17. Los Angeles Chargers - Riq Woolen, CB, UTSA
Original Pick: Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College
Riq Woolen is one of the hardest players to place in the redraft. In his rookie season, he tied for the league lead in interceptions and made the Pro Bowl. In year two, he was benched for poor play. Because of his length and athleticism, it's fair to give Woolen another chance. His skillset would fit in nicely on a Los Angeles squad that struggles to defend the pass.
18. Tennessee Titans - Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Original Pick: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
When Walker was selected first overall, pundits across the country weren't giddy. With just five sacks in his rookie season, it seemed that everyone was proven correct. He did reach double digits in year two which puts him back into the middle of the first round. Walker is a nice fit alongside defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons.
19. New Orleans Saints - Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College
Original Pick: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
There's nothing overly exciting about Zion Johnson but he'd be a solid piece on nearly any offensive line in the NFL. Their original pick, tackle Trevor Penning, has missed large chunks of time with injuries and got benched midway through his second season. Johnson has missed just two starts.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Luke Goedeke, OT, Central Michigan
Original Pick: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
One of Pittsburgh's starting tackles, Dan Moore Jr., allowed pressure on over 10 percent of snaps in 2023. The other, rookie right tackle Broderick Jones, let his quarterback get sacked five times. Luke Goedeke helped the Tampa Bay offensive line rebound in 2023 following a nightmare in 2022. Bolstering the offensive line for their eventual franchise quarterback is a must because we know now that Kenny Pickett isn't the answer.
Picks 21-32
21. Kansas City Chiefs - George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Original Pick: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Originally selected toward the end of the first round, Karlaftis' play for the elite Kansas City defense boosts his draft stock. The former Boilermaker has 22 sacks in his first two seasons, including 14 in 2023. His presence next to All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones has worked to perfection in Kansas City's scheme.
22. Green Bay Packers - Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Original Pick: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
The Packers had their choice between Quay Walker and Devin Lloyd as the first linebacker selection in 2022. They chose ... poorly. Walker hasn't been strong against the run. While he has more sacks than Lloyd, the latter made a noticeable jump from year one to year two. Walker stayed inconsistent in both campaigns.
23. Buffalo Bills - Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
Original Pick: Kaiir Elam, CB, Flordia
Teams can't predict injuries but the Bills would surely have liked another reliable pass rusher following the injury to Von Miller, which essentially rendered his 2023 campaign useless. Johnson hit the nine-sack mark in his second season and was pretty good in coverage in the rare instances he was called upon.
24. Dallas Cowboys - Cam Jurgens, OG, Nebraska
Original Pick: Tyler Smith, OT/OG, Tulsa
Is Cam Jurgens an exciting option at guard or is he a product of his fellow big boys up front? The Eagles boast one of the best offensive lines in football. Jurgens is a strong run blocker and only allowed one sack in two seasons. Playing on the same line as Zach Martin and Tyron Smith would give him the same level of comfort as he has in Philadelphia.
25. Baltimore Ravens - Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
Original Pick: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
The Ravens with Breece Hall instead of J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill would be consistent Super Bowl contenders. Hall has proved to be a dynamic weapon in both the ground and air games and has done it all with rotating mediocrity at the quarterback position.
26. New York Jets - Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Original Pick: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
Games are won in the trenches which is a large part of why the Jets lose season after season (quarterback play, of course, doesn't help). The Jets were graded as one of the worst offensive lines in football. While Cross wouldn't alleviate their injury woes up front, he would provide stability and decent pass protection when he's on the field.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars - Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
Original Pick: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
With Walker and Lloyd off of the board, the Jaguars search for a pass rusher to pair with cornerback Sauce Gardner. Boye Mafe tallied nine sacks in his second season, up from three in his rookie year. Mafe and Allen on the edges, with Gardner in the secondary, provide the building blocks for an elite unit.
28. Green Bay Packers - Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Original Pick: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
In the real draft, the Packers selected Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs in later rounds. Both have (to different extents) proved that they can be an asset in the NFL. Although he struggled in year two, Jahan Dotson appeared to have all the makings of a star wideout in his debut campaign. Dotson would fit right in with the young receiving corps in Wisconsin.
29. New England Patriots - Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Original Pick: Cole Strange, OG, Chattanooga
Christian Watson has a problem staying on the field. When he is active, he's an outstanding deep threat. That's something that the Patriots have lacked for several seasons. The Patriots should take the gamble that Watson stays healthy and provides another element to this floundering offense.
30. Kansas City Chiefs - George Pickens, WR, Georgia
Original Pick: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Kansas City Chiefs opted to wait a round and grab Skyy Moore in this draft. That's not working out for them. George Pickens was selected two picks prior. In this redraft, Kansas City doesn't pass up on the opportunity to pair an explosive receiver with Patrick Mahomes.
31. Cincinnati Bengals - Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
Original Pick: Dax Hill, S, Michigan
Hayden Hurst was a reliable tight end for Cincinnati in 2022. In 2023, they depended on Irv Smith Jr. and undrafted 29-year-old Tanner Hudson. Trey McBride may be the NFL's next breakout star at the position. Adding him to an offense with Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase would cause all sorts of problems for opposing defenses.
32. Minnesota Vikings - Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame
Original Pick: Lewis Cine, S, Minnesota
Alexander Mattison did not succeed after Dalvin Cook's departure. Ty Chandler was better, but nothing special. Kyren Williams led the league in rushing yards per game (95.3) and scored 12 rushing touchdowns in as many games. Defenses would still have to focus on Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson, leaving plenty of running room for Williams.
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