NFL Draft: Re-drafting the star-studded 2014 NFL Draft
By Cory Kinnan
player. 44. . OT. Michigan Wolverines. Taylor Lewan. 6
Original Pick: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M Aggies
In theory, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the pick of Jake Mathews to the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 6 overall pick back in 2014.
In fact, Mathews has had a wonderful career, which has included a Pro Bowl in 2018 and a five-year ,$75 million extension from the Falcons. However, Taylor Lewan was drafted behind Matthews and has a more illustrious career to this point with the Tennessee Titans.
While Matthews has made one Pro Bowl in his five-year NFL career, Lewan has been to three for the Titans. He has also earned himself a healthy pay day with an extension to stay in Nashville. Lewan’s deal earns him an additional $1 million annually extra than the deal that Matthews signed with Atlanta.
Really it comes down to a matter of preference at this point, but if the Falcons had a chance to go back, I think they would like to have the services of Lewan over those of Matthews’, especially at just $1 million more per year.
Having Lewan on the roster over Matthews was never going to be the difference in, say, the Falcons failing to hold on to a 28-3 halftime lead against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl two years ago.