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After three seasons, did NFL teams make the correct selections in the 2021 NFL Draft? Andrew Ball re-drafts the entire first round.
Some rookies take time to adjust to the speed of the NFL game. Season one can be a bumpy ride. Season two (hopefully) shows further development. By season three, it's clear which players are cut out for the league.
That statement is proven correct in the 2021 NFL Draft. Quarterbacks headlined the draft with Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance going first, second, and third, respectively. Only one of those signal callers has panned out.
Below, I redraft the entire first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Would franchises make the same selections or jump at the chance to snag a different prospect?
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Picks 1-10
1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Original Pick: Lawrence
Despite Trevor Lawrence's down year in 2023, quarterback is still the most important position in sports and the former Clemson Tiger has proved he has the skillset to be a top-ten signal caller in the NFL. Jacksonville doesn't need to change their selection and will have their franchise quarterback for the next decade.
2. New York Jets - Micah Parsons, EDGE, Penn State
Original Pick: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
The Jets, like Jacksonville, were deadset on taking a quarterback with the second-overall pick. Three years of game action proved that this was a two-quarterback draft, not the five that were taken in the first round of real life. Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, and Mac Jones all failed in their initial endeavors. Fields is in consideration here (more on him in just a second) but punting quarterback in favor of one of the league's best pass rushers (arguably the second most important position) is the correct move.
3. San Francisco 49ers - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Original Pick: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
San Francisco traded a boatload of assets to select Trey Lance. After some injuries and inconsistent play, the reigns were handed to Brock Purdy, who was selected in the next draft. In this exercise, Purdy isn't on the roster yet. They'll trade up once again to select a mobile quarterback. Fields may be on his way out of Chicago, but he will be a starter elsewhere and is electric with the football in his hands. Imagine what he could do with Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle as receiving options...
4. Atlanta Falcons - Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Original Pick: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The Atlanta Falcons sought a receiver and made Kyle Pitts the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history. He wasn't targeted for his blocking skills. The Falcons wanted him to be a mismatch on every snap. Ja'Marr Chase fits that description, albeit at wide receiver. He's helped Cincinnati reach the AFC Championship game twice and claimed Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021.
5. Cincinnati Bengals - Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Original Pick: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Wide receiver or an offensive lineman? That was the debate in Cincinnati leading into the 2021 draft. Penei Sewell likely would have been the choice had they not opted for Joe Burrow's former college teammate. With Chase off the board in this redraft, the decision was made for the Bengals. Sewell will protect Burrow for 10+ seasons.
6. Miami Dolphins - Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
Original Pick: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Miami can't go wrong with the wide receivers left on the board. Their original pick, Jaylen Waddle, has been great in South Beach. DeVonta Smith has thrived as the 1B option in Philadelphia. Amon-Ra St. Brown outplayed both in 2023, adding an All-Pro accomplishment to his résumé. Either way, the Dolphins select a staple for their offense.
Amon-Ra St. Brown flips his way to a three-possession lead ‼️
📺: #DENvsDET on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/vtmfEKvOLy pic.twitter.com/kw1DwqjVEs— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
7. Detroit Lions - Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Original Pick: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Injuries derailed Slater's sophomore season but he jumped right back into being an elite blindside pass protector. He's allowed eight sacks in 2,438 snaps. The Lions still claim a cornerstone offensive lineman, although Slater plays left tackle, as opposed to Sewell who lines up on the right side.
8. Carolina Panthers - Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Original Pick: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
The Carolina Panthers needed cornerback help and they had their choice between the two premier prospects, Jaycee Horn and Patrick Surtain II. They chose poorly. Horn has played 22 games across his first three seasons. Surtain is an All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler. The choice now is so easy a caveman can do it.
9. Denver Broncos - Talanoa Hufanga, S, USC
Original Pick: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
With their prized lockdown cornerback off of the board, the Broncos seek help at another position in their secondary. All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga fits the bill. The ex-USC Trojan roaming the back end of the defense with Justin Simmons would be the strongest safety duo in the league.
10. Philadelphia Eagles - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Original Pick: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Similarly to Miami, the Eagles are golden whether they select their original pick, DeVonta Smith, or Jaylen Waddle. Waddle gets the edge with three straight 1,000-yard campaigns to begin his career, although Smith isn't far behind. Regardless, the second elite receiver in the Eagles' offense will thrive and boost Jalen Hurts.
TUA TO WADDLE. 60-YARD TD.
📺: #NYJvsMIA on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/QuugxeDp6I— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
Picks 11-20
11. Chicago Bears - DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Original Pick: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
With both noteworthy quarterbacks gone, Chicago still improves their passing game. DeVonta Smith is easily a top-20 wide receiver and will put up even better numbers as the alpha option. Maybe with Smith, they won't trade out of the 1.01 in 2023 for D.J. Moore and they'd be the team tasked with developing Bryce Young.
12. Dallas Cowboys - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Original Pick: Micah Parsons, EDGE, Penn State
Jerry Jones loves his athletic freaks. See, Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, and Tyron Smith. You get the picture. There's no way he'd be able to resist drafting a slipping Kyle Pitts with the twelfth pick. In another offense and with a different quarterback throwing him the football, the ex-Florida Gator may not be the disappointment that he's been so far in Atlanta.
Kyle Pitts gets TD No. 1️⃣ of the season on a dime from Desmond Ridder.
📺: #WASvsATL on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/B4mQvLOt8O pic.twitter.com/L0rI2fSJXC— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2023
13. Los Angeles Chargers - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Original Pick: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Christian Darrisaw, originally a late first-round pick to Minnesota, is a nice consolation prize for the Chargers, who miss out on their original left tackle, Rashawn Slater. Darrisaw's numbers aren't quite up to Slater's level but he'll be a starting blindside tackle for a long time in the NFL.
14. New York Jets - Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
Original Pick: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, USC
The Kansas City Chiefs drafted two offensive linemen in 2021 (neither in the first round). Both picks will appear in the first round of the redraft. Centers aren't highly sought after in the first round but it's hard to pass up on a two-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion in Creed Humphrey. He's started every game in his professional career, allowing just seven sacks.
15. New England Patriots - Landon Dickerson, OG, Alabama
Original Pick: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
For the last time in the first round, a quarterback-needy team moves past their failures and is forced into making a selection at another position. Landon Dickerson slid into a starting guard position on the Philadelphia offensive line, developing into one of the league's best at the position. He can also play center if need be.
16. Arizona Cardinals - Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
Original Pick: Zaven Collins, OLB, Tulsa
Greg Newsome has developed into a solid starting cornerback and his play helped the Browns turn into arguably the best defense in football in 2023. With five touchdowns surrendered through three seasons, Newsome would be the top cornerback in the desert.
17. Las Vegas Raiders - Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Original Pick: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
Stop me if you've heard this one before: the Raiders whiffed on a first-round draft pick. Just over one year after making their selection, the Raiders released Alex Leatherwood due to poor play. The Bears claimed him off of waivers, then also cut him. His rookie contract expired as a member of the Browns' practice squad. His NFL career is probably over. Meanwhile, Christian Barmore is thriving as a defensive tackle. He's racked up 12.5 sacks in three seasons, including 8.5 last year. The Raiders can always use help in the trenches.
18. Miami Dolphins - Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
Original Pick: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Jevon Holland is one of those safeties, like Hufanga, who impacts the game in several different ways. He has four sacks and five interceptions in his three seasons. Originally a second-round pick by the Dolphins, they'll need to pay up to claim his rights in this redraft.
19. Washington Commanders - Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
Original Pick: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
In his sophomore season, Nick Bolton finished second in the NFL in solo tackles at 6.35 per game. An injury forced him to miss about half of the 2023 season but he was routinely sniffing out plays when on the field. He's the perfect centerpiece for any defense in the NFL, especially one that struggles in all facets.
SCOOPED IT. SCORED IT. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/4WNVgZm6ZC
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 13, 2023
20. New York Giants - Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Original Pick: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
If he can just stay healthy, Jaycee Horn's metrics tell us that he's a solid cornerback. Unfortunately, he hasn't played a full season yet and played just six contests in 2023. A team will take the chance on Horn, hoping that he can stay healthy for one year and elevate coverage in their secondary.
Picks 21-32
21. Indianapolis Colts - Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Original Pick: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
With 22 sacks in about two-and-a-half seasons, Jaelan Phillips was coming into his own and shedding the "injury" label that followed him throughout college. An unfortunate Achilles injury put his breakout on pause. He's been more productive than edge rusher Kwity Paye, who the Colts originally selected. Hopefully, Phillips can recover from the injury and return to form.
22. Tennessee Titans - Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
Original Pick: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Injuries have forced Caleb Farley to backup duty in Tennessee when he's healthy. He didn't play a snap in 2023 and started just two games in his other two seasons. Originally a second-round pick, Asante Samuel Jr. has lived up to his father's name and will be a much better selection at cornerback than Farley.
23. Minnesota Vikings - Trey Smith, OG, Tennessee
Original Pick: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
The second of the Chiefs' two offensive linemen whose play has pushed them into the first round of the redraft. Trey Smith slipped in the real draft due to health concerns. He's missed just one game in three seasons, starting whenever healthy, and contributes to protecting Patrick Mahomes. He's no Christian Darrisaw, but Smith is a nice consolation prize at this point in the first round.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC
Original Pick: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Alijah Vera-Tucker delivered a strong start to his professional career. He's billed as a tremendous run-blocker but his pass-blocking isn't far behind. His biggest concern is health. Since his rookie season, he's suited up for 12 of 24 possible contests. The Steelers could use some help on the offensive line so running backs, like original selection Najee Harris, wouldn't be hit behind the line of scrimmage as often.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars - Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Original Pick: Etienne
Travis Etienne wasn't (and still isn't) the prototypical running back selected in the first round. The pick was even more puzzling because running back wasn't a position of need for a team building around their freshly minted franchise quarterback. But it's worked out. Lawrence's former collegiate teammate has topped 1,000 rushing yards in his two healthy seasons and provides a receiving threat out of the backfield.
TRAVIS!! @Jaguars extend the lead at exactly the right time 😱
📺: #JAXvsBUF on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/LxW25sxPWA pic.twitter.com/khpc0POPQ6— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2023
26. Cleveland Browns - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Original Pick: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
A Pro Bowl selection in 2023, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah reached triple digits in combined tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions. The former second-round pick became an integral part of Cleveland's elite defense. In their lone playoff game, Owusu-Koramoah logged eight solo tackles, four of which were for a loss. The Browns will be thrilled to have the linebacker on the roster once again, even if it costs them a higher draft pick.
27. Baltimore Ravens - Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
Original Pick: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
The Ravens were correct to target a wide receiver in the draft. It seemed like they may have found a good option when Bateman racked up over 500 yards in 12 games in his rookie season. Injuries have nearly pushed him out of Baltimore. When he is healthy, he's hardly noticeable. Nico Collins, on the other hand, exploded onto the scene in his third season. He's much more of what Baltimore was looking for when they selected Bateman.
28. New Orleans Saints - Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
Original Pick: Payton Turner, DE, Houston
Campbell developed a reputation as a ballhawk and a reliable coverage cornerback in his second season in the professional ranks. He was picked on more in his third campaign but he's still the best defender available on the board here. The Saints would later select Paulson Adebo in this draft, who barely missed the cut among first-round redraft candidates.
29. Green Bay Packers - Alim McNeil, DT, NC State
Original Pick: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
The mantra of the third-year breakout may not apply to anyone more than Alim McNeil (although Nico Collins has a case). Originally a third-round pick, McNeil was a part-time player in year one and didn't make much of a splash in year two. In year three, he nearly doubled his sack totals and was a major piece of the Detroit run defense which allowed the fewest yards per game for the majority of the season. They slipped out of the top spot when he missed four games late in the season. He's exactly the type of player that would help Green Bay's run defense issues.
30. Buffalo Bills - Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Original Pick: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Rousseau and Paye have posted similar numbers in the early years of their NFL careers. The difference here is that while Rousseau's numbers slipped from year two to three, Paye posted career-highs in tackles, sacks, and forced fumbles.
31. Baltimore Ravens - Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Original Pick: Odafe Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
Similarly, the Ravens get their choice of sticking with their original pass rusher or opting to try out someone new. Rousseau has 17 career sacks compared to Oweh's 13. The latter does put up those numbers as a part-time player. He's started 13 of his 45 career games, so there is still room to grow. The Ravens are contenders though and would probably prefer someone more polished like Rousseau.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Quinn Meinerz, OG, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Original Pick: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, EDGE, Washington
The Buccaneers' offensive line was a disaster for the tail end of Tom Brady's career. Quinn Meinerz, from small-time school Wisconsin-Whitewater, became a full-time starter during his rookie season and hasn't let go of his job. Meinerz would be a contributor on any offensive line in the league, especially one that has struggled to block for running backs in the past few seasons.
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