Re-Drafting the 2016 NFL Draft: Entire First Round Do-Over

April 22, 2024

After eight seasons, did NFL teams make the correct selections in the 2016 NFL Draft? Brant Henson re-drafts the entire first round.

With the 2024 NFL Draft just over a week away, the team at RotoBaller has been tapping into past seasons' drafts and redoing the first round. Most recently, we redid the 2017 and 2018 NFL Drafts. We're going to take it back another year and examine the 2016 class, now gearing up for its ninth season as professionals.

The first seven picks off the board all made it to at least one Pro Bowl, headlined by quarterbacks Jared Goff and Carson Wentz. The rest of the top-10 selections -- Jack Conklin, Leonard Floyd, and Eli Apple -- are all still in the league. The top of this draft was successful, but the top pick in this redraft was not picked in the first three rounds.

Let's dig into the 2016 class nine years after it entered the league. Spoiler alert: despite the top-seven original picks all being Pro Bowlers, all of the picks are different in this redraft.

Picks 1-10

1. Los Angeles Rams - Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State

Original Pick: Jared Goff, QB, California

The Jared Goff pick worked out for Los Angeles. While he was not touted as a premier quarterback during his time with the Rams, he did lead them to a Super Bowl berth and was eventually used in the trade that brought Matthew Stafford and a Lombardi Trophy to Los Angeles.

Having Prescott under center instead of Goff during that painful 13-3 Super Bowl loss could have altered the outcome. The 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has three Pro Bowls and becomes the franchise signal-caller in Los Angeles rather than a fourth-round pick in this redo.

Although he was the 8th QB selected in the 2016 Draft, Dak Prescott has skyrocketed past expectations.

His journey is inspiring. @DallasCowboys (THREAD ⬇️) pic.twitter.com/Uj8tspxA3Z

— NFL (@NFL) April 22, 2022

2. Philadelphia Eagles - Tyreek Hill, WR, West Alabama

Original Pick: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

Carson Wentz strung together some good play in Philadelphia before injuries caused a fall-off, ultimately losing his job to Jalen Hurts. In his near-MVP season, it was Nick Foles, not Wentz, who led the Eagles to a Super Bowl win on a loaded roster. Imagine if Tyreek Hill was a part of that receiving corps. 

If Hill was the pick rather than Wentz, Nick Foles might still be in the NFL today. Rolling out a receiving corps of Hill, Alshon Jeffery, Zach Ertz, and Nelson Agholor would have been downright scary. Hill has proven that he is not a product of Patrick Mahomes, but is one of the NFL's great receivers himself. When all is said and done, he will go down as one of the best to ever do it.

3. Los Angeles Chargers - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss

Original Pick: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

Joey Bosa is an absolute game-wrecker when healthy. Injuries have held him back as of late and he has played just 14 games over the past two seasons. 

Here, Los Angeles ignores the gas-mask fiasco and selects Laremy Tunsil third overall. Tunsil is a proven franchise tackle, which is a premium position in the league. The Chargers were plugging and playing at tackle in 2016 with King Dunlap and Joe Barksdale on the outsides. Had they gone this way, they could be rolling out in 2024 with Tunsil and Rashawn Slater anchoring Jim Harbaugh's offensive line.

Name another podcast that spins Laremy Tunsil gas mask bong as a positive. Listen here https://t.co/htoaCr8KQG pic.twitter.com/g8VSNAOc9K

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) April 29, 2016

4. Dallas Cowboys - Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

Original Pick: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

Ezekiel Elliott was not necessarily the wrong pick. He was one of the league's most explosive runners for the first four years of his career, winning the rushing title as a rookie and as a third-year player before beginning to slow down. Derrick Henry, on the flip side, had a slower start to his career before stepping in as the full-time lead back for Tennessee. Once he did, he instantly became the face of the Titans. Henry has two rushing titles and two rushing touchdown titles as well as more longevity than Zeke.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars - DeForest Buckner, DT, Oregon

Original Pick: Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State

DeForest Buckner has been one of the league's most underrated but consistently great players over the course of his career. Most impressively, he has been extremely durable with 129 regular-season games played over eight seasons. His 61 career sacks rank 17th among active players.

While Jalen Ramsey has been one of the top corners since entering the league, he was traded from Jacksonville after just over three seasons. Buckner fills a need while also potentially sticking around longer.

6. Baltimore Ravens - Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

Original Pick: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

Joey Bosa falls three spots from his original landing spot and Baltimore does not hesitate to grab him. Playing alongside the likes of Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, and Za'Darius Smith, Bosa helps form one of the scariest defenses in the league and becomes a franchise cornerstone immediately. 

7. San Francisco 49ers - Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State

Original Pick: DeForest Buckner, DT, Oregon

San Francisco misses out on DeForest Buckner, but the consolation prize is not half bad. Chris Jones, who remains with the Chiefs where he was selected in Round 2 in 2016, has five Pro Bowl appearances (2019-2023). Throwing him on the menacing San Francisco defensive line, which has been a strength for years, just seems right. Perhaps San Francisco is also inspired by his unforgettable NFL Combine performance.

In honor of defensive lineman day at the NFL Combine, we honor the ballsiest combine performance of all time.

3 Time Super Balls Champ, Chris Jones. pic.twitter.com/Sowxj2BcVO

— Chandler (@_chandler_____) February 29, 2024

8. Tennessee Titans - Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State

Original Pick: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

As mentioned earlier, Jalen Ramsey has been a shutdown corner since entering the league and was a key piece of the Rams' 2021 Super Bowl run. Falling to eighth speaks to the star power of the top of this draft class. 

Tennessee has allowed the second-most passing yards in the entire league since 2016, behind only the Detroit Lions. It has lacked a star cornerback on its roster up until recently acquiring L'Jarius Sneed and would be thrilled to grab Ramsey.

9. Chicago Bears - Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State

Original Pick: Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia

While Leonard Floyd has turned his career around as of late, he did not live up to his draft capital during his time in Chicago. The Bears opt for Javon Hargrave, initially a third-round pick, here. The two-time Pro Bowler also started off slow in Pittsburgh, but has recently blossomed into one of the best defensive tackles in the league. Here, he pairs with Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman to anchor a very talented and deep Chicago defensive line.

10. New York Giants - Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor

Original Pick: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

The Giants' selection of Eli Apple was a massive bust, but they right their wrong by taking Xavien Howard here and shore up their pass defense. Howard has four Pro Bowls in his career and led the league in interceptions in 2018 and 2020. He was originally a second-round pick but is very deserving of a top-10 selection.

🗣 Chris Grier on Xavien Howard's pre-draft interview: "We interviewed him at the combine and it was a terrible interview. And then we brought him into a visit and he was lights out! Knew all the history, all the players... it was fun watching his growth." #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/JG3qWk0pzU

— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) April 16, 2024

Picks 11-20

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - James Bradberry, CB, Samford

Original Pick: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

Vernon Hargreaves was out of the league by 2022 after an injury-plagued start to his career. His most noteworthy moment in the league came in the Super Bowl when he was penalized 15 yards for running onto the field despite being inactive.

Tampa Bay goes for James Bradberry instead, one of the league's more underrated cornerbacks during his time in Carolina. Bradberry was initially a second-round selection but has proven he belonged in the first.

12. New Orleans Saints - Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA

Original Pick: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

Don't get me wrong, Sheldon Rankins has had a solid career. However, Kenny Clark is a three-time Pro Bowler and a cornerstone of the Green Bay Packers defense. Clark slots in nicely alongside Cam Jordan and Co. to create longevity on the New Orleans defensive line.

13. Miami Dolphins - Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State

Original Pick: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss

With Tunsil off the board, Miami elects to address the receiving corps and adds star receiver Michael Thomas. Thomas rattled off four straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his career, topped off by his record-setting 149-catch, 1,725-yard season in 2019, but has only played in 20 games since then. Still, Thomas's four-year production is worth a top-15 selection here. The Dolphins pair him with Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker to create a formidable trio for Ryan Tannehill.

14. Las Vegas Raiders - Kevin Byard, S, Middle Tennessee State

Original Pick: Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia

Karl Joseph last played in 2021, quickly fizzling out of the league. Meanwhile, Kevin Byard has been one of the top safeties in the league since he was selected in the third round in 2016. A two-time Pro Bowler, Byard led the league in interceptions in 2017 and was dominant during his stint in Tennessee. Las Vegas changes an ultimate screw-up into a home-run selection here.

15. Cleveland Browns - Jared Goff, QB, California

Original Pick: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

The top pick's redraft slide comes to an end here. Cleveland rolled out Cody Kessler, Josh McCown, and Robert Griffin III under center in 2016. Safe to say quarterback was a massive need. Goff's career has been interesting -- he led the Rams to an NFC title, was thrown away, and now is rejuvenating his career in Detroit. Would it have been good for his career had he been selected by Cleveland? Tough to say with how awful this team was, but it would have been a much better selection than the original pick. Don't forget that Detroit was in shambles when he was shipped there as well...

Former #Rams quarterback Jared Goff says being traded to the #Lions was the greatest thing that ever happened to him:

“Being shipped off and being sent to a place to die, essentially, is what a lot of people think it was, and I was never going to allow that to happen.” pic.twitter.com/7f8eKmDndr

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 17, 2024

16. Detroit Lions - Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

Original Pick: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

Taylor Decker was a good pick here and is still an important piece of a strong Lions line to this day, but Ryan Kelly has more accolades in his career (three Pro Bowls vs. zero for Decker). He has been an anchor of a strong interior offensive line in Indianapolis since being drafted and Detroit would not be upset by earning his services here.

17. Atlanta Falcons - Joe Thuney, G, North Carolina State

Original Pick: Keanu Neal, S, Florida

Keanu Neal's first two seasons in Atlanta were great, but injuries took over in Years 3 and 4. Joe Thuney, initially a third-rounder, is one of the league's top guards. Winning four Super Bowls between his time in New England and Kansas City and starting 129 games over eight seasons, his reliability and consistency would be welcomed in Atlanta. The starting guards in 2016 were Andy Levitre and Chris Chester, career journeymen.

18. Indianapolis Colts - Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

Original Pick: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

Missing out on Ryan Kelly hurts, but the Colts now have the opportunity to fortify the outside of their offensive line in an attempt to salvage Andrew Luck's career. Initially the eighth pick in this class, Jack Conklin has been a rock-solid tackle over the course of his career when healthy.

19. Buffalo Bills - Matthew Judon, DE, Grand Valley State

Original Pick: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

Initially picked in Round 5, Matthew Judon ended up being a steal for Baltimore. With 66.5 career sacks and four Pro Bowls, Judon would be a menace on the prime Bills defense that was lacking pass-rush ability at the time.

20. New York Jets - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

Original Pick: Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State

Darron Lee was potentially the biggest bust of Round 1, as he was out of the league by 2021. Here, the Jets stop Ronnie Stanley's slide and anchor their offensive line for years to come. Ryan Clady was starting at left tackle for New York in 2016 and he was out of the league by 2017. Stanley, meanwhile, is still starting in Baltimore where he was selected in 2016.

Picks 21-31

21. Houston Texans - Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

Original Pick: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame

Ezekiel Elliott's draft-day slide ends and rather than going to Dallas, he still ends up in the state of Texas. Elliott pairs with Lamar Miller to form an electric one-two punch behind a strong offensive line. Through this overpowered rushing attack and a stout defense, Houston primes itself to play a wear-and-tear style of football.

22. Washington Commanders - Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

Original Pick: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

Josh Doctson did not pan out, but here Washington adds to its offensive line in the form of Lions stud Taylor Decker. Still the starting tackle for Detroit, Decker becomes a foundational piece of a Washington line while learning behind an all-time great in Trent Williams. Maybe a new landing spot would help teach him how to report as an eligible receiver.

Looks like Jared Goff sent Taylor Decker to report as an eligible receiver…

A wild night in the NFLpic.twitter.com/PQgC1QJWqx

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 31, 2023

23. Minnesota Vikings - Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Maryland

Original Pick: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss

Back-to-back receiver picks didn't work out in this draft. Instead of going with Laquon Treadwell, who surprisingly was still in the league in 2023, Minnesota grabs Yannick Ngakoue. Ngakoue was originally a third-rounder and despite being a journeyman, he has been productive everywhere he has gone. He did briefly play in Minnesota in 2020 but was traded twice in the same season. Had he originally started his career in Minnesota rather than in Jacksonville, where he requested a trade from, maybe he would have stuck around longer.

24. Cincinnati Bengals - Justin Simmons, S, Boston College

Original Pick: William Jackson III, CB, Houston

Justin Simmons was a bright spot on Denver's defense since taking over as a full-time starter in 2017. He led the league in interceptions in 2022 and has been selected to two Pro Bowls. William Jackson III missed his entire first season in Cincinnati and while he strung together some solid play, he has not been in the league since 2022. Simmons would have paired nicely with Pacman Jones, Dre Kirkpatrick, and George Iloka in the Bengals secondary.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jarran Reed, DE, Alabama

Original Pick: Artie Burns, CB, Miami

Pittsburgh whiffed on its selection of Artie Burns at a time when it needed a cornerback. With all of the game-changers off the board, it opts for Jarran Reed here. A solid NFL starter throughout his career, Reed has accumulated 34 career sacks and has been a factor in the run game on every team he has played for. He would fit right into Pittsburgh's defensive line rotation with Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Bud Dupree, and Jarvis Jones.

26. Denver Broncos - Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

Original Pick: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

Following Peyton Manning's retirement, Denver was left with a void at quarterback and opted to select Paxton Lynch. That clearly did not work out, but here it grabs Carson Wentz as he tumbles down the board after initially being picked second overall. Walking into a favorable situation in Denver, Wentz is primed for success and can ease into his role behind Trevor Siemian while throwing to Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

27. Green Bay Packers - Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia

Original Pick: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA

With Kenny Clark off the board, Green Bay nabs the original ninth overall pick in the draft. Leonard Floyd started slow in Chicago but rejuvenated his career with Los Angeles in 2020. He has 39.5 sacks since 2020 and would be a welcome addition to the Packers defense.

28. San Francisco 49ers - Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State

Original Pick: Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford

Joshua Garnett only lasted in San Francisco until 2018 after battling injuries. Cody Whitehair, on the other side, was an anchor on Chicago's offensive line since arriving there in Round 2 of 2016's draft. The one-time Pro Bowler would slot in nicely on a team that needed to beef up the interior line at the time.

29. Arizona Cardinals - D.J. Reader, DT, Clemson

Original Pick: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss

Robert Nkemdiche now plays for the Edmonton Elks and was cut from the Cardinals after the 2018 season. D.J. Reader, initially a fifth-round selection, is yet another stud defensive tackle produced by this class. He has been an essential piece of run defenses in Houston and Cincinnati, and here the Cardinals are happy to draft an impactful tackle unlike they initially did.

30. Carolina Panthers - De'Vondre Campbell, LB, Minnesota

Original Pick: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech

De'Vondre Campbell has been a trusted tackling machine since entering the league as a fourth-round pick. Carolina cannot miss the opportunity to pair him with Luke Kuechly, creating a linebacking corps that is tough to run through.

31. Seattle Seahawks - George Fant, OT, Western Kentucky

Original Pick: Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M

Rather than going with Germain Ifedi here, Seattle grabs its current starting offensive tackle. George Fant went undrafted in 2016 but signed with Seattle and found great success early in his career as a sixth offensive lineman. After starting for three seasons in New York and one in Houston, Fant is back in Seattle for 2024. He is the lone undrafted player to move into the first round in this redraft.

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