2018 NFL Redraft: Lamar Jackson saves the Cleveland Browns

Going back to the 2018 NFL Draft and giving every team a chance at a redo.

The 2018 NFL Draft produced eight Pro Bowlers in the first-round, but plenty of future superstars slipped into the later rounds. Four Pro Bowlers heard their names called in the second round, while two more fell to the third, and one even went undrafted. If teams evaluated prospects perfectly, all of these stars would’ve gone in the top 32 selections.

Some teams ended up unsatisfied with their first-round selections as well. Notably, the Arizona Cardinals selected Josh Rosen at 10th overall and traded him away a year later. Cincinnati, Minnesota, New Orleans and Seattle also want do-overs. Now, they’re getting a chance to go back to April 26, 2018, and make a new wave of selections.

I compiled this redraft using limited hindsight, meaning I took into account the skill and production of members from the 2018 draft class, but I didn’t account for every free agent signing or trade that occurred after the draft. I evaluated every team’s roster and needs based on who they selected in the real draft and their depth charts entering the 2018 season.

Out of the 32 selections from the original 2018 NFL Draft, only three remained the same in the redraft. Most teams either drafted better players or realized their original picks went much higher than previously anticipated. However, a significant number of teams drafted at the same position that they did in the real draft.

About 13 other players performed well enough during their first two seasons to receive consideration for first-round selections in the redrafting process. Only four of those players were former first-round selections, including Rashaan Evans, Sony Michel, Kolton Miller and Da’Ron Payne. 19 of the players selected in the redraft were originally selected in the first round, meaning 13 players fell out of the top 32 selections.

Texas’ Poona Ford and Maryland’s J.C. Jackson deserve special recognition. While neither went in the redraft, they both earned consideration despite going undrafted. Only one formerly undrafted player went in the redraft.

Second-round selections Will Hernandez, Donte Jackson, Christian Kirk, Harold Landry and Connor Williams all deserve honorable mentions but they didn’t go in the redraft. Third-rounder Sam Hubbard and fifth-rounder Tre Flowers both outplayed their draft stock in the first two seasons of their careers, but neither cracked the top 32 selections. Punter Michael Dickson also deserves an honorable mention for being the only Pro Bowler from the 2018 class not to go in the redraft.

Now, let the mayhem begin.

1. Cleveland Browns: Lamar Jackson, QB (Baker Mayfield, QB)

Two years removed from the 2018 NFL Draft, Jackson is the best player in the class. It’s not a total runaway contest considering some of the other All-Pros that went in 2018, but the Browns needed a quarterback. Jackson is the only proven signal-caller from his draft. The other quarterbacks either floundered or remain unproven.

The Browns drafted Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick in 2018, surprising several analysts. Sam Darnold had the most media hype leading up to the draft and seemed like the consensus first overall pick at one point. However, Mayfield rose up draft boards late, and the Browns jumped on his polished style over Darnold’s potential.

The Mayfield selection worked for a year, but the former Heisman Trophy winner crumbled in his second NFL season, throwing 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Meanwhile, Jackson broke records in his second year and won the league MVP award. He also went 13-2 as a starter while Mayfield and the Browns underachieved with a 6-10 record.

There’s one massive concern about Jackson going first overall, and that’s the team he’s joining. The Baltimore Ravens went through some growing pains with Jackson in 2018 as Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman and Head Coach John Harbaugh adjusted to the Louisville product’s style. However, the Ravens possess a well-established, trustworthy core of leaders. The Browns seemingly change coaches and staffs every year.

For all of his talent, Jackson could struggle in Cleveland because of the incompetence of the organization. Nevertheless, the former 32nd overall pick goes from last to first in the first-round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Maybe he can maximize the talent placed around him, unlike Mayfield.

2. New York Giants: Saquon Barkley, RB (Same Pick)

The Giants don’t regret passing on several quarterbacks to draft Penn State’s former Heisman candidate. As a rookie, Barkley produced one of the best seasons by a running back in the past decade, racking up a league-leading 2,028 yards from scrimmage. He also punched in 15 touchdowns.

In his second season, Barkley battled injuries and offensive inconsistencies. New York transitioned from Eli Manning to rookie Daniel Jones, which caused some setbacks in the offense’s flow. In his 13 appearances, Barkley still averaged 77.2 rushing yards per game and 4.6 yards per carry, but his receiving totals took a big hit.

My only criticism of Barkley two years into his career is his need to improve in pass protection. Otherwise, he’s one of the best athletes in the entire league and should become a perennial Pro Bowler once Jones settles in as the team’s quarterback. Barkley amassed 3,469 yards from scrimmage and 23 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

There are several other prospects from 2018 who arguably have higher ceilings than Barkley. Derwin James, Darius Leonard, and Quenton Nelson all earned First-Team All-Pro selections as rookies. However, Barkley is a crucial piece of New York’s offensive rebuild, and I believe he’s a top-three running back in the NFL.

The Giants don’t regret passing on taking a quarterback. While the organization got a lot of grief from the media and fans for selecting Jones in 2019, if the Duke product can fix his fumbling issue, he’s arguably better than every quarterback except for Lamar Jackson from the 2018 draft.

3. New York Jets: Baker Mayfield, QB (Sam Darnold, QB)

Regardless of Mayfield’s flaws, the Jets need to take a quarterback at this spot. While Darnold showed flashes in his first two seasons, Mayfield broke records as a rookie. In his first season, Mayfield set the rookie passing touchdown record with 27, shattering the previous mark of 26 held by Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.

Mayfield didn’t bring the momentum from his rookie season into his second year, but we got a glimpse of his true potential. Hopefully, he experienced a sophomore slump and bounces back in his third season. Mayfield threw 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions last year while Darnold threw 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

The Jets could select several All-Pros at this spot. There are so many talented prospects still on the board, but the franchise needed a quarterback. New York’s offense featured journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2015 and 2016. Josh McCown split time with Bryce Petty, who isn’t even in the league anymore, in 2017.

The Jets could not endure another season with McCown at the helm on the chance that they might land a stud quarterback in the 2019 NFL Draft. So, the team passes over a plethora of talent to take a chance on Mayfield. Although, looking at the supporting cast in New York, I don’t know if any young quarterback can truly succeed with the Jets.

4. Cleveland Browns: Darius Leonard, LB (Denzel Ward, CB)

The Browns drafted Ohio State’s Denzel Ward with the fourth pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Ward performed well as a rookie, intercepting three passes in 13 appearances and making the Pro Bowl. However, the shutdown cornerback took a step back this past season.

Even based on his performance as a rookie, Ward wouldn’t hear his name called this high in the draft. It’s not that he’s terrible, other players simply outplayed him both as rookies and during their first two years overall.

The fourth overall pick came down to four players. I considered taking Bradley Chubb, Derwin James, and Quenton Nelson, but Leonard filled an immediate need. While Cleveland could always use another pass rusher, the team already had Myles Garrett and eventually acquired Olivier Vernon, which ruled out Chubb.

James would make any NFL team exponentially better, but the Browns already had two promising young safeties on their roster. The team took Jabrill Peppers with the 25th overall pick in 2017 and traded for Damarious Randall, who they moved from cornerback to safety before the 2018 draft.

That left Leonard and Nelson, who both got drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. While Nelson is arguably the best guard in the entire league, the Browns already have a Pro Bowler, Joel Bitonio, at left guard. That leaves Leonard as the last man standing. None of Cleveland’s three starting linebackers from 2018 are still on the roster, so adding Leonard wouldn’t disrupt much.

In 2018, Leonard won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, earned a First-Team All-Pro selections, and led the NFL with 163 tackles. He was a Second-Team All-Pro in 2019. In two seasons, Leonard amassed seven interceptions, 15 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 12 sacks, and 284 tackles. He’s an unstoppable force.

Indianapolis originally selected the South Carolina State product with the 36th overall pick.

5. Denver Broncos: Quenton Nelson, G (Bradley Chubb, EDGE)

Even with safety Derwin James still on the board, Nelson is the best remaining player in the 2018 NFL Redraft. The best offensive lineman to enter the NFL since Dallas’ Zack Martin in 2014, Nelson dominated during his first two seasons in the league. The Notre Dame product earned First-Team All-Pro selections in both years.

The Indianapolis Colts originally selected Nelson with the sixth overall pick. Based on talent alone, Nelson should go in the top three selections, but team needs drop him back to fifth. If not for the New York Jets desperately needing a quarterback at third overall, they would’ve taken Nelson.

In this scenario, Nelson heads to Denver and replaces either Ronald Leary at left guard, which is where Nelson plays for Indianapolis, or Connor McGovern at right guard. Leary played 11 games for the Broncos in 2017 before landing on injured reserve (IR). He only made six appearances in 2018 before heading back to IR.

NFL.com Senior Analyst Gil Brandt recently released an article pinpointing 12 players whose teams should never let them leave. Not surprisingly, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Donald appeared on the list, but so did Nelson. Brandt praised the Colts for selecting the guard, writing, “Nelson, who will be eligible for a contract extension after the upcoming season, should be the unit’s cornerstone for most (if not all) of the coming decade.”

With Drew Lock recently joining the Broncos as the team’s quarterback of the future, Denver cannot pass on drafting a generational offensive lineman.

6. Indianapolis Colts: Derwin James, S (Quenton Nelson, G)

Indianapolis drafted two First-Team All-Pros in 2018, and each of the team’s first three draft picks from the class appear in this article.  However, with Leonard and Nelson gone, the Colts pounce on one of the few available All-Pros. James initially fell to the Los Angeles Chargers at 17th overall, but he doesn’t get out of the top ten selections in the redraft.

As a rookie, James started all 16 games for the Chargers. He intercepted three passes, defensed 13 more, recorded 3.5 sacks, and registered 105 tackles. For his efforts, the Florida State product earned a First-Team All-Pro selection as a safety alongside Chicago’s Eddie Jackson. The Associated Press also selected James as a Second-Team All-Pro as a defensive back.

Unfortunately, James missed most of last season as he recovered from a stress fracture in his right foot. He’s primed for a run at the Comeback Player of the Year award this season.

Selecting James makes a lot of sense for the Colts. Besides getting the most talented safety in the entire league, Indy can fill their void at safety. The team recently declined Malik Hooker’s fifth-year option, meaning the Colts needs a new future star in the secondary. James wouldn’t start over Hooker either. Instead, he’d replace Clayton Geathers as a starter and magnify Hooker’s unfulfilled potential.

7. Buffalo Bills: Sam Darnold, QB (Josh Allen, QB)

This redraft pick will cause some controversy. At this point, you’re either a believer in Darnold, or you aren’t. Ditto for Josh Allen, who the Bills used the seventh overall pick on in the real draft. I’m a firm believer that Darnold possesses Pro Bowl potential, but playing with the New York Jets and battling mononucleosis last year caused him to underachieve.

No one debates that the Bills should take a quarterback here. Unless the team truly planned on starting A.J. McCarron, Buffalo was always going to draft a quarterback with this pick. However, the quarterback they should take is a hotly debated question with fans prepared to stake their claims and duel to the death on Twitter over who’s right.

I’m leaning toward Darnold based on some of the serious issues Allen displayed in college and his first two NFL seasons. Despite possessing a cannon for an arm, Allen is one of the worst deep-ball passers in the league. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Allen completed only 24.1% of his deep passes despite taking deep shots at the sixth-highest rate in the league.

PFF also claims Allen had the “the highest rate of uncatchable, inaccurate passes on those targets,” which makes you wonder if the Bills will even pick up his fifth-year option. PFF ranked Allen 32nd on their 33-man list ranking the league’s quarterbacks by their deep passing.

Take away Allen’s ability to scramble and he’s one of the five worst starters in the NFL. On the other hand, Darnold is a better pocket passer who simply needs to eliminate foolish decisions. It wouldn’t hurt if the Jets surrounded him with weapons either. However, the Bills put young playmakers around Allen, and Darnold could accomplish more with their team than Allen has.

8. Chicago Bears: Leighton Vander Esch, LB (Roquan Smith, LB)

The Bears selected Georgia linebacker, Roquan Smith with the eighth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. In his first two seasons, Smith appeared in 28 games and amassed 222 tackles. A member of the 2018 NFL All-Rookie Team, Smith should make Pro Bowls in the future, but Vander Esch is already a superstar.

Vander Esch attended school at Boise State, where he posted a breakout performance in 2017. As a junior, the Idaho native amassed 141 tackles, finishing fifth in the NCAA. He also recorded 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and two interceptions.

Vander Esch’s versatility and 6-4, 256-pound frame caught the eye of the Dallas Cowboys, who called his name at 19th overall. However, Chicago won’t let the former Boise State Bronco slip outside of the top ten selection.

As a rookie, Vander Esch recorded 140 tackles in 16 games, made the Pro Bowl, and earned a Second-Team All-Pro selection. Unfortunately, he only appeared in nine games last year as a neck injury ultimately ended his season.

According to CBS Sports’ Patrik Walker, Vander Esch is fully healed and ready for the 2020 season. In an interview with Bobby Belt and Jane Slater of ‘The ‘Boys & Girl Podcast,’ the linebacker looked forward to the upcoming year.

"I am doing wonderful. I feel as good now as I ever have, before I even got hurt. I mean I’m ready to roll. I’ve been training full-go for a couple of months now, so it’s not holding me back whatsoever."

After missing so much time, Vander Esch is ready to get back on the field.

"I feel just as good as I ever have. I’m just excited to play football at this point and get back on the field and, like I said, whenever they give us the green light to go — we’re going to be ready. From that time on, it’s full-go and don’t let off the gas pedal."

The Bears didn’t make a bad move when they drafted Smith, but Vander Esch is a different beast.

9. San Francisco 49ers: Orlando Brown, OT (Mike McGlinchey, OT)

The 49ers knew they needed a right tackle in 2018, so they selected Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey with the ninth overall pick. While McGlinchey turned into a reliable starter who could make the Pro Bowl if he continues progressing, Brown is already at a Pro Bowl level.

Brown put together a stellar career at Oklahoma, earning a Consensus All-American selection in his final collegiate season. However, he fell to the third round in 2018 because of concerns about his conditioning, bend and fluidity. Brown also suffered from a poor combine performance.

NFL teams already knew Brown probably couldn’t play left tackle in the league as he had at Oklahoma, but concerns about his game grew in the weeks leading up to the draft. So, Brown slid from being a borderline first-round selection to the 83rd overall pick, where the Baltimore Ravens scooped him up.

As a rookie, Brown split starting time with veteran James Hurst. Brown took over as the full-time starter in 2019 and flourished in Baltimore’s run-heavy offense. The 49ers also emphasize the ground game as the most significant part of their offensive scheme, which means Brown would fit in with the 49ers.

Brown is the same height as McGlinchey (6-8), but he weighs 30 pounds more (345 pounds total). The mauling right tackle heads to San Francisco in the 2018 NFL Redraft.

10. Arizona Cardinals: Josh Allen, QB (Josh Rosen, QB)

Arizona drafted Kyler Murray with the first overall selection in 2019, but, entering the 2018 NFL season, the Cardinals had no idea they’d finish with the top pick. The head coach who lobbied for drafting Murray, Kliff Kingsbury, wasn’t even with the team yet. Instead, the Cardinals entered the 2018 season with Steve Wilks serving in his first head coaching job, and the team selected UCLA’s Josh Rosen with the tenth overall pick.

In the redraft, Arizona still takes a quarterback, but they forgo Rosen in favor of Allen. I’m far from sold on Allen’s long-term viability as an NFL quarterback, but he did help the Buffalo Bills accumulate ten wins this past season. He’s also not a statue in the pocket like Rosen.

If the Cardinals knew they’d land Murray in 2019, the team would never draft an inferior quarterback like Allen. However, there’s no way Arizona could’ve seen its desolate 3-13 season coming. So, the Cardinals still draft a quarterback out of desperation.

Arizona did have Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon on its roster in 2018. Bradford signed a one-year, $20 million contract with the team in March. However, he went 0-3 as a starter before injuries rendered him useless. The Cardinals cut Bradford, and he never played in the NFL again. Rosen started Arizona’s other 13 games.

Even with all of the questions surrounding his accuracy, development, and decision-making, Allen is ten times better than Rosen. The Cardinals needed a quarterback, and the dual-threat Colorado product is the final first-round caliber signal-caller remaining.

Allen originally went seventh overall to the Bills.

11. Miami Dolphins: Nick Chubb, RB (Minkah Fitzpatrick, S)

As a freshman at Georgia, Chubb was one of the best running backs in the country. Then, he suffered a devastating knee injury in his sophomore season. Chubb spent the final two years of his collegiate career rebuilding his draft stock, and eventually, the Cleveland Browns selected him with the 35th overall pick in 2018.

Any team that passed over Chubb because of injury concerns looks foolish today. Two years into his career, Chubb leads all running backs from the 2018 draft class, including Saquon Barkley, in rushing yards with 2,490. He’s also averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 91.1 yards from scrimmage per game.

Chubb is one of the top-five running backs in the NFL. He’s a force to be reckoned with and should only continue his climb up the running back hierarchy as Cleveland builds its offensive line.

In this scenario, Chubb heads to Miami. In 2018, 35-year-old Frank Gore led the Dolphins with 722 rushing yards. Gore is a living legend and future Hall of Fame running back, but Miami would gladly add Chubb, even if it meant cutting down on Gore’s workload. Kenyan Drake also played a role on the team, rushing for 535 yards on 120 carries.

Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson recently wrote an article claiming Chubb is the best running back in the NFL. If that’s true, Miami would be crazy not to draft the Georgia product, even if that means passing on their real 2018 first-round pick, Minkah Fitzpatrick.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S (Vita Vea, DT)

Miami selected Minkah Fitzpatrick with the eleventh overall pick in 2018. However, the Alabama product requested a trade early in his second season. He eventually landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and earned a First-Team All-Pro selection as one of the top four or five safeties in the NFL.

There aren’t 11 players better than Fitzpatrick in the 2018 draft, and it seems crazy that he went one spot later in the redraft than in real life. However, four of the players who went ahead of Fitzpatrick are quarterbacks, and three are unproven. It’s just a case of teams prioritizing needs over talent, which worked in Tampa Bay’s favor.

To date, Tampa Bay’s secondary is one of the team’s few weak points. In 2018, Justin Evans and rookie Jordan Whitehead started the majority of games at safety for the Buccaneers. Even as a rookie, Fitzpatrick could’ve run circles around those two young players. He’d quickly become the center of Tampa Bay’s secondary the way Miami planned for him to be in theirs.

In an ESPN article published on Oct. 28, 2019, Cameron Wolfe and Brooke Pryor wrote,

"Parting with Fitzpatrick was never part of the Dolphins’ plan. The 2018 first-round pick was supposed to be a core piece of Miami’s total rebuild."

The article, which details the fallout of Fitzpatrick’s trade to Pittsburgh, shares Miami’s vision for the young defensive back when he joined the team.

"Fitzpatrick was viewed by some within the Dolphins organization as the next Honey Badger (Tyrann Mathieu) — an intelligent, hardworking, versatile player with Pro Bowl potential who could be the center of a defense for years to come."

Instead, Fitzpatrick shunned Miami. Maybe Tampa Bay would use him better and not run into the same dead end as the Dolphins.

13. Washington Redskins: Denzel Ward, CB (Da’Ron Payne, DT)

Out of all players who appeared in the redraft so far, Ward fell the farthest. The Ohio State product originally went fourth overall to the Cleveland Browns and lived up to his draft stock as a rookie, intercepting three passes in 13 appearances and making the Pro Bowl. However, so many members of the 2018 draft class reached All-Pro levels over the past two seasons, which pushed Ward down the draft board.

A member of the 2018 NFL All-Rookie Team, Ward is the top cornerback from his draft class. Nothing over the past two seasons changed that, although several players did close the gap. Notably, Green Bay’s Jaire Alexander continues improving and could reach a Pro Bowl level before his rookie contract ends. Carolina’s Donte Jackson flashed as a rookie but took a step back last year.

In the redraft, Ward joins an underachieving Redskins secondary led by the overpaid Josh Norman. While Norman earned a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2015, he was a borderline starter by the 2018 season. He never lived up to the monstrous five-year, $75 million contract he signed with the Redskins.

Based on Norman’s state in 2018, Ward could’ve become Washington’s best cornerback and defensive back the moment he joined the franchise.

In the real draft, the Redskins selected defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne. Payne performed well in each of his first two seasons, but he doesn’t warrant a top-15 pick in the redraft.

14. New Orleans Saints: Bradley Chubb, EDGE (Marcus Davenport, EDGE)

The Washington Redskins passed on drafting Chubb because the franchise already employed a handful of qualified pass rushers. That means the North Carolina State product falls to New Orleans at 14th overall, and Sean Payton couldn’t be happier.

New Orleans attempted to address its defensive line in 2018, drafting UTSA’s Marcus Davenport in the first round. The Davenport selection caught analysts and fans by surprise, mostly because he was a developmental prospect, and some polished products remained on the board. Two years later, Davenport is still a work in progress, while Chubb is a force of nature.

Chubb, who the Denver Broncos originally drafted with the fifth overall pick, racked up 12 sacks, 60 tackles, and 21 quarterback hits as a rookie. He flourished alongside future Hall of Fame linebacker, Von Miller. Unfortunately, Chubb tore his ACL in Week 4 of the 2019 season and missed Denver’s final 12 games.

In New Orleans, Chubb would officially line up at defensive end instead of outside linebacker (which he plays in Denver), but the 6-4, 275-pound freak athlete possesses more than enough mass and refinement to make the transition. He’d also benefit from playing alongside Cameron Jordan, who made the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010 Team alongside Miller.

Broncos defensive coordinator Ed Donatell recently told NFL.com that Chubb is “full speed and ready to go.” The ACL shouldn’t hold him back in 2020.

15. Oakland Raiders: Courtland Sutton, WR (Kolton Miller, OT)

The now-Las Vegas Raiders used the 15th overall selection on left tackle Kolton Miller. Miller replaced former Pro Bowl left tackle Donald Penn, but his rookie season didn’t go as planned. The UCLA product struggled and looked outmatched in most of his appearances. In an article published on Feb. 19, 2019, Pro Football Focus’ Ben Cooper bashed Miller.

"When you spend a first-round pick on an offensive lineman, you expect him to contribute right away. Miller, though, had a disastrous rookie campaign. His overall grade ranked 81st among 85 tackles, and he gave up four more sacks than the next closest tackle. There’s plenty of time for Miller to put this season behind him — and he better do so quickly."

Miller improved by leaps and bounds in 2019, but he’s not good enough to justify a top-15 selection. Instead, the Raiders address their wide receiver room in the redraft.

In the actual 2018 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Sutton with the 40th overall pick. However, in the redraft, the Raiders cut off Denver and steal their division rival’s greatest offensive weapon. Sutton produced passable numbers as a rookie, but he experienced a breakout season in 2019 despite shaky quarterback play.

Sutton hauled in 72 receptions for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns last year. The 6-4 SMU product is already well on his way to replacing Demaryius Thomas as Denver’s go-to receiver. The Raiders needed that kind of impact player in 2018.

Tight end Jared Cook led Oakland with 896 receiving yards in 2018. Jordy Nelson finished second with 739 yards and running back Jalen Richard came in third with 607 yards. That was also the year Oakland traded Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys, meaning the team desperately needed receiving options.

16. Buffalo Bills: Fred Warner, LB (Tremaine Edmunds, LB)

Despite a stellar four-year collegiate career at BYU, Warner didn’t hear his name called until the third-round. San Francisco finally picked him with the 70th overall selection. Now, Warner is a borderline Pro Bowler with his eyes set on possibly reaching All-Pro heights.

The Bills drafted Virginia Tech standout Tremaine Edmunds with their first-round pick in 2018. Edmunds played well during both of his seasons with the team, but Warner is a notch up from the rangy linebacker. Edmunds produced three interceptions, 21 passes defensed, 3.5 sacks and 236 tackles during his first two seasons.

Warner separates himself from other linebackers in coverage. Pro Football Focus loves how he handles that facet of the game.

An NBC Sports article published in May also cites revealing stats from PFF, including that “Warner had a 74.5 coverage grade across 1,166 total snaps last season. That was the fifth-best grade of any linebacker who played at least 1,000 snaps.”

Warner amassed 15 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, three sacks and 242 tackles during his first two seasons. At face value, those numbers aren’t drastically different than the ones Edmunds posted, but analytics reveal that Warner brings an added layer to his game.

If Buffalo wins the AFC East this season, all of the credit belongs to the defense. That unit features so many talented pieces, and Warner could transform an already formidable defense into a nightmarish force.

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Tremaine Edmunds, LB (Derwin James, S)

The Chargers acknowledged their need for an interior presence at the heart of the defense when they drafted Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray with the 23rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. In the redraft, Los Angeles fixes its linebacker problem two years earlier by selecting Edmunds out of Virginia Tech.

After posting solid numbers in college and some freakish ones at the combine, Edmunds went 16th overall to the Buffalo Bills. He led the team in tackles in each of his first two seasons, and the former Hokie made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2019.

With Edmunds in the middle of the defense, Buffalo allowed 298.3 yards per game last season, which ranked third in the NFL. The Bills also allowed the second-fewest points per game (16.2). Edmunds racked up 115 tackles, 1.5 sacks, nine passes defensed, an interception and a safety.

Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier told NFL.com in a recent interview that he’s impressed with how Edmunds stepped into a leadership role this offseason.

"Well the first guy that comes to mind is just seeing Tremaine’s development in this offseason. This virtual offseason. Just the way he has been kind of bringing players together and talking with them, calling them, reaching out to them, going past his own position, the linebackers position."

Frazier went on the applaud Edmunds’ character a leadership, saying,

"I mean, to already be recognized as one of our leaders on our team and on our defense. We’re very, very fortunate to have him. He’s the epitome of what you would want one of your star players to be, one of your leaders to be."

Edmunds only turned 22 years old within the past two months, making him one of the league’s youngest stars. For a team like the Chargers, that lacked a commanding presence in the middle for years, Edmunds would be a game-changer.

18. Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander, CB (Same Pick)

The Packers are only the second team in the redraft to stick with their actual selection from 2018. Alexander is still a polarizing prospect with a difficult amount of potential to evaluate. At his best, Alexander looks like a true shutdown corner. At his worst, the Louisville product gets abused by the league’s top receivers.

Despite some of the criticism Alexander faced through his first two seasons in the NFL, the former Louisville Cardinal is the best cornerback on Green Bay’s roster. Even as a rookie, Alexander saw a ton of playing time. That year, the aging Tramon Williams played 100% of the team’s defensive snaps while Alexander appeared 71 percent of the time. This past season, Alexander played 99% of Green Bay’s defensive snaps.

A member of the 2018 NFL All-Rookie Team, there isn’t a cornerback from the 2018 class that’s head and shoulders ahead of Alexander. Sure, Denzel Ward went at fourth overall in reality and 13th overall in the redraft, but Alexander could surpass the Ohio State product with one definitive season.

According to Pro Football Focus, Alexander tied for the league-lead in dropped interceptions last season with four, which suggests he’s a few small mistakes away from a big season. If he intercepted all of those passes, Alexander would’ve finished the year with six and tied Anthony Harris for the most in the league.

Back in May, the third-year cornerback also appeared on PFF’s list of the top 25 players under 25. He’s a star in the making, and Green Bay won’t pass on taking him a second time.

19. Dallas Cowboys: Vita Vea, DT (Leighton Vander Esch, LB)

The Cowboys hit a home run when they selected Boise State’s Leighton Vander Esch with the 19th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Dallas landed a top-ten player with a mid-first-round selection. However, Vander Esch went 11 picks ago in the redraft. Now, the Cowboys must find another future superstar.

Dallas could’ve gone in a lot of directions here. Jason Witten retired following the 2017 season, which meant that the Cowboys needed a tight end for 2018. Witten later unretired, but Dallas couldn’t have known that would happen.

The team also desperately needed wide receiver help, considering Cole Beasley and Terrance Williams were the best pass-catchers on the roster. Dallas did eventually trade for Amari Cooper during the season and drafted Michael Gallup in the third round. Instead, I have the Cowboys making a controversial selection by forgoing offensive studs in favor of a defensive anchor.

Vea originally went 12th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he falls a few spots in the redraft. The 2017 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year got off to a slow start as a rookie because of injuries, but he became one of the league’s best interior linemen last year.

In an article published in May, Pro Football Focus’ Ben Linsey detailed Vea’s gradual rise to stardom.

"Nose tackles are large enough and strong enough to control double teams, but it takes a rare type of athlete to still have the sort of quickness and explosiveness needed to provide high-level value as a pass rusher. To say Vita Vea is that kind of athlete is an understatement."

Vea started turning heads last season. He even made ESPN Staff Writer Bill Barnwell’s 2019 All-Underrated Team. The Washington product combined with Ndamukong Suh to generate the top run defense in the NFL, allowing a measly 73.8 rushing yards per game. Second place allowed 86.9. Tampa Bay’s defense even stifled Christian McCaffrey, holding the All-Pro to 68 rushing yards in their two meetings. McCaffrey averaged roughly 1.8 yards per carry in those games.

In Dallas, Vea could eat up offensive linemen and draw attention away from Demarcus Lawrence. He’d be the best interior presence for Dallas since Jay Ratliff.

20. Detroit Lions: Mark Andrews, TE (Frank Ragnow, OL)

The Lions drafted Iowa’s T.J. Hockenson with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, but the redraft doesn’t take last year’s selections into account. So, the Lions are still trying to get over Eric Ebron never delivering on his potential. Instead of praying that Levine Toilolo or Luke Willson will transform into starting-caliber players, Detroit takes Andrews at 20th overall.

Andrews became one of the biggest steals in 2018 when he fell to the third round. Baltimore scooped him up, and the Oklahoma product became a Pro Bowler in his second season with John Harbaugh’s squad. Every team passed over Andrews, but the Lions really could’ve used a player with his skillset.

At Oklahoma, Andrews played well during his first two seasons, but he became a game-changer as a junior. That year, Andrews made 62 receptions for 958 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned a Consensus All-American selection and won the John Mackey Award, which goes to the nation’s most outstanding tight end.

Last season, Andrews finished fifth among tight ends with 852 receiving yards and led the position with ten touchdowns. He also became Baltimore’s most reliable receiving threat and flashed vertical playmaking. According to Pro Football Focus, Andrews and Travis Kelce found themselves in a class all alone.

Toilolo finished fifth on the Lions in receiving yards in 2018, but he was the team’s leading tight end. In the redraft, Detroit gladly forgoes selecting Frank Ragnow at 20th overall in favor of a top-five tight end.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike McGlinchey, OT (Billy Price, C)

Offensive linemen aren’t sexy first-round selections, but there was nothing sexy about Cincinnati in 2018 anyway. The Bengals went 6-10 and fired long-time head coach Marvin Lewis after the season. The team went 2-14 last year, winning the Joe Burrow sweepstakes and continuing Cincinnati’s rebuilding process.

In 2018, nobody even thought Burrow would go in the first round, so it’s not like Cincinnati knew they’d eventually land the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck. However, the team should’ve seen the cliff coming. After years of failing to succeed in the playoffs, Cincinnati’s team began aging and falling apart.

Bobby Hart started all 16 games at right tackle for Cincinnati in 2018. Hart signed a three-year, $16.15 million contract extension with the team last May and started all 16 games this past season. However, he’s a few steps down from McGlinchey. The Notre Dame product missed four games for the San Francisco 49ers last season, but he’s still one of the brightest young right tackles in the NFL.

Cincinnati did try to address its offensive line in 2018, taking center Billy Price with the 21st overall pick. However, Price is a flawed player who might not be a starter this coming season. On the other hand, McGlinchey could make a Pro Bowl appearance in the near future.

22. Tennessee Titans: Roquan Smith, LB (Rashaan Evans, LB)

Tennessee used the 22nd pick on Alabama’s Rashaan Evans in the real draft, but the redraft replaces him with Smith. Honestly, the two linebackers fall into a similar category. Both post good stat lines but neither stand out as superstars when analytics enter the picture. Both players possess claims for this position, but I’m giving the edge to Smith.

While Smith performed well as a sophomore, he solidified himself as a first-round selection with a breakout campaign during his junior year at Georgia. In 2017, he tallied 137 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. Smith became a Consensus All-American, won the 2017 SEC Defensive Player of the Year award, and took home the Dick Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s most outstanding linebacker.

After such a successful collegiate career, it’s no wonder the Chicago Bears selected Smith eighth overall. However, several other linebackers from the loaded 2018 draft class outperformed the Georgia product during their first two seasons. So, Smith slides to Tennessee at 22nd, replacing Evans.

Smith totaled two interceptions, seven sacks, and 222 tackles during his first two seasons. However, he fell short of expectations last year, receiving his fair share of criticism. NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal wrote a critical review of Smith, citing the linebacker’s shortcomings.

"PFF does not love Roquan Smith. Smith ranked 44th among 58 off-ball linebackers who played at least 500 snaps last season. The eye test isn’t thrilling, either. He gets washed out of running plays too often. His expected strength entering the league was in pass coverage, but he hasn’t stood out there, either, sometimes getting taken off the field."

Smith recently spoke to the Chicago Tribune via Zoom about getting back on his feet for the 2020 season.

"I’ve got a huge chip on my shoulder. Just really excited. … God willing I stay healthy, I definitely feel like it’s going to be my best year to date, and I feel like I’m going to do some things. A lot of people counted me out. So I’m just going to get back to who I really am and do pretty much everything the way I want to do (it) and make myself the best possible player I can."

Even after struggling early in his career, I still view Smith as a first-round pick in the redraft. He has all of the physical tools to perform at a borderline Pro Bowl level. It comes down to whether or not he can master the mental game.

23. New England Patriots: Dallas Goedert, TE (Isaiah Wynn, OT)

Tom Brady spent his final season in New England playing with one of his worst supporting casts in recent history. Julian Edelman still caught 100 passes and posted 1,117 receiving yards, but even the former seventh-round pick began dropping passes at the end of the season. I’m not sure if Bill Belichick wanted Brady back in 2020, but New England’s lack of skill players made the future Hall of Fame quarterback’s decision to leave a lot easier.

This is where Goedert comes into play. The South Dakota State product is a rising star. Playing behind Zach Ertz in Philadelphia’s system, Goedert amassed 58 receptions for 607 yards and five touchdowns last season. He’s also an excellent run-blocker and ranks among the NFL’s best blocking tight ends.

The Philadelphia Eagles originally selected Goedert with the 49th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was the third tight end to come off the board, trailing Baltimore’s Hayden Hurst and Miami’s Mike Gesicki. However, he’s the second tight end taken in the redraft.

With Goedert on board, New England boasts one of the best tight end pairings during the 2018 season. Maybe the team can even take some pressure off Rob Gronkowski and allow the injury-prone All-Pro to avoid some nasty hits. It’s a lot of speculation, but drafting Goedert could’ve kept Gronkowski and possibly even Brady around a few more years. However, that’s a slim chance.

New England selected Isaiah Wynn at 23rd overall in the actual draft, but the Georgia product has only appeared in eight regular-season games over two years.

24. Carolina Panthers: D.J. Moore, WR (Same Pick)

The Panthers do not regret drafting Moore at 24th overall in 2018, so Carolina becomes the third team to stick with their original draft selection. During his first two seasons, Moore recorded 142 receptions for 1,963 yards and six touchdowns. Despite playing most of the 2019 season with Kyle Allen at quarterback, Moore still amassed 1,175 receiving yards.

While Moore contributed during his freshman and sophomore seasons at Maryland, the Pennsylvania native burst onto the national scene as a junior. In his final collegiate season, Moore led the Big Ten Conference with 80 receptions and 1,033 yards. He also scored eight receiving touchdowns.

Moore flashed 4.42-second 40-time speed at the combine, which cemented his draft status as a first-round pick. However, questions remained about the 5-11 receiver’s size and route running. Entering his third season, Moore continues to improve his game and prove doubters wrong.

Christian McCaffrey and Moore carried Carolina’s passing game over the last season. Behind those two, Devin Funchess produced the most receiving yards for the Panthers in 2018, and Curtis Samuel filled that role last year. With Greg Olsen heading to Seattle, Moore is the only top receiving option in Carolina’s offense besides McCaffrey.

Depending on who you ask, Moore is the most talented receiver from the 2018 draft. I gave Courtland Sutton the nod ahead of Moore, but there’s a case for switching the two future stars.

25. Baltimore Ravens: Braden Smith, OT (Hayden Hurst, TE)

After James Hurst started all 16 games for Baltimore in 2017, the Ravens knew they wanted to bring in a young right tackle who could take over and push Hurst inside to guard or to the bench. Baltimore pegged Orlando Brown as their man in the third-round, taking the free-falling Oklahoma product. With Brown already gone, the Ravens take another route in the 2018 redraft.

Smith was the ninth guard in the 2014 recruiting class, according to the ESPN 300. Interestingly enough, Isaiah Wynn and Quenton Nelson, who both went in the first-round of the 2018 draft, ranked sixth and twelfth on the list.

Smith committed to Auburn, where he earned First-Team All-SEC honors in 2016 and 2017 as a guard. However, he moved to right tackle for the Indianapolis Colts when the team selected him at 37th overall. After starting 13 games as a rookie, Smith made the 2018 NFL All-Rookie Team and went on to play 100% of Indianapolis’ offensive snaps in 2019.

Baltimore used their actual 25th overall pick on tight end Hayden Hurst. Hurst was the only tight end taken in the first round, and he ultimately became a disappointment in Baltimore. Mark Andrews, who the Ravens drafted with their second pick in the third-round, outproduced Hurst over the past two seasons. In March, Baltimore traded Hurst to Atlanta in exchange for draft picks.

26. Atlanta Falcons: DJ Chark, WR (Calvin Ridley, WR)

The bottom seven picks in the 2018 redraft feature three wide receivers, all of whom rank very close together in my eyes. Michael Gallup and Calvin Ridley could make cases for appearing at this spot, but I have the Falcons opting for Chark instead. This way, Atlanta still finds a promising running-mate for Julio Jones.

The Falcons did originally use the 26th pick on Ridley, but Chark took the initiative last year while playing with Nick Foles and Gardner Minshew. Meanwhile, an abdominal injury cut Ridley’s second season short. Again, it’s an extremely close call between these two young receivers. Chark barely played as a rookie, but he made the Pro Bowl in 2019, and that puts him over the top.

At LSU, Chark struggled with poor quarterback play. Before Joe Burrow came around and flipped the college football world on its head, Danny Etling served as LSU’s starting quarterback, severely limiting the team offensively. Chark did lead the Tigers in receptions (40), receiving yards (874), and tied for the lead in receiving touchdowns (three) during his final collegiate season.

The 6-4 Chark is a monstrous receiving option to pair with Jones in Atlanta’s offense. Good luck winning any jump balls against that lineup. If Chark can thrive in Jacksonville, he can excel with Matt Ryan in Atlanta.

27. Seattle Seahawks: Justin Reid, S (Rashaad Penny, RB)

Seattle made one of the most perplexing picks in the first round, selecting San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny. Penny became the second running back taken, only trailing Penn State’s Saquon Barkley. However, Chris Carson asserted himself as Seattle’s starter in 2018, and veteran Mike Davis also outplayed Penny.

With Davis heading to Chicago, Penny moved up to second on the depth chart last year, but he suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 14 and could open the 2020 season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

Injury aside, Penny never played consistently enough to win Seattle’s starting job. So, the Seahawks go about addressing a position where they needed depth in the redraft.

Outside of the two All-Pro safeties the 2018 draft produced, Reid is the best player from the class at his position. The Houston Texans landed Reid with their third-round pick. He performed exceptionally well during his first two seasons, totaling five interceptions, 15 passes defensed, three fumble recoveries, 166 tackles and a defensive touchdown.

The Seahawks stabilized their free safety position last season by trading for Detroit’s Quandre Diggs, but Seattle needed help in 2018. Earl Thomas held out during the offseason but reported for the final year of his deal. Seattle knew they couldn’t afford the All-Pro past the season, and Thomas’ exit became expedited when he fractured his leg early in the year.

With Thomas gone, Seattle struggled with Tedric Thompson at free safety. If only they picked a promising safety instead of a backup running back.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jessie Bates, S (Terrell Edmunds, S)

It’s fitting that the Steelers picked right after Seattle because Pittsburgh also made a poor draft-day decision. With the 28th overall pick, the Steelers selected Virginia Tech’s Terrell Edmunds. NFL Draft Analyst Lance Zierlein gave Edmunds a 6.10 grade on an eight-point scale in the safety’s pre-draft profile, which qualified him as a “good backup who could become (a) starter”. Zierlein believed a team would draft Edmunds in either the third or fourth-round.

In his first two seasons, Edmunds recorded one interception, seven passes defensed and 183 tackles. On a tremendous defensive unit last season, Edmunds did not force a turnover. His inability to play in pass coverage is the only weak spot on Pittsburgh’s otherwise immaculate defense.

The Steelers did need a safety in 2018, but Edmunds wasn’t the right selection. The Steelers would’ve loved to land Justin Reid, but Seattle beat them to it. That left several players in consideration, including cornerbacks Tre Flowers, Donte Jackson and J.C. Jackson, linebacker Rashaan Evans, and guards Will Hernandez and Connor Williams.

However, I have Pittsburgh sticking it out and going with the fourth-best safety. Bates originally went to the Cincinnati Bengals with the 54th overall pick, but he gets a boost in the redraft because the other top safeties are already gone. Over his two seasons, Bates accumulated six interceptions, 16 passes defensed, 211 tackles and a defensive touchdown.

Bates faced his fair share of challenges and criticism this past season, but he’s a plug-and-play safety. Veteran Bengals safety Shawn Williams recently told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com that he expects big things from Bates.

"He’s got a lot of upside. He’s just starting to scratch the surface because he’s so young. He’s doing everything on raw talent. Once he actually learns as he grows he should be really good."

The Steelers could use that “upside” to complete their defense.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Calvin Ridley, WR (Taven Bryan, DT)

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, the Jaguars need offensive weapons. It’s a saying members of the media and fans of the franchise use too often, partially because it’s always true. In the redraft, the Jaguars chase the best remaining receiver available and possibly land a steal with the 29th overall pick.

Jacksonville entered the 2018 season with Keelan Cole, Marqise Lee, Donte Moncrief, and Dede Westbrook atop the wide receiver depth charts. All four receivers are No. 2 options at best, and it showed during the season. While Ridley is far from a plug-and-play superstar, he’s got an incredible amount of potential. From his first day, Ridley could’ve been the best receiver in Jacksonville.

We already know the Jaguars wanted to address their receiver corps early in the draft because they took DJ Chark in the second round. So, while the team took Florida’s Taven Bryan in the original draft, Jacksonville uses the 29th pick on an offensive centerpiece in the redraft.

Atlanta’s offensive coordinator, Dirk Koetter, recently told the Falcons’ official website that he envisions big things from Ridley in 2020.

"I think he’s always been able to beat his man just by pure speed and athleticism, and I think as he gets a little more consistent in his route running and understanding what is landmarks are, his depths of his routes are, I think you’re going to see a jump in his game."

Jacksonville’s team is a mess right now, but Ridley could provide some rare stability on the offense. As long as the Alabama product remains healthy, he could become the best receiver from this entire class.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Frank Ragnow, OL (Mike Hughes, CB)

The Detroit Lions initially took Ragnow with the 20th pick in the draft, but the Arkansas product fell in the redraft because of his position. Ragnow played both center and guard in college, and he’s played both positions in the NFL as well. The former Razorback played guard during his rookie season but switched to center in 2019.

Not many teams need centers year-to-year, but the Vikings could’ve used one to replace Pat Elflein. Elflein started at center for the Vikings in 2017 and 2018 before Minnesota drafted Garrett Bradbury last year and moved Elflein to guard. In this scenario, Minnesota makes the move one year early by acquiring Ragnow and shifting Elflein.

In the worst-case scenario, Minnesota could always move Ragnow back to guard and use him as a starter on either side. While he’s not a superstar, Ragnow is a reliable, versatile lineman who could seriously upgrade Minnesota’s current depth in the trenches.

New England’s Isaiah Wynn garnered some attention for a spot toward the bottom of the first round. When healthy, Wynn is a starting-caliber left tackle worthy of a top-32 selection. Unfortunately, he’s rarely healthy. Wynn missed his entire rookie season and only appeared in eight games this past year.

I mostly focused on the offensive line for the Vikings because it’s a unit the organization can’t seem to pin down. The franchise goes through a cycle of drafting linemen, parting ways with them, and then drafting more linemen.

31. New England Patriots: Phillip Lindsay, RB (Sony Michel, RB)

After drafting Isaiah Wynn with the 23rd pick, New England took Georgia’s Sony Michel at 31st overall. The Patriots paired Michel with incumbent running back, James White. While White continued racking up receiving yards, Michel became the team’s force on the ground. Unfortunately, he’s only turned into a decent running back who has a lot to prove in his third season.

In his first two seasons, Michel amassed 1,843 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. However, he went from averaging 4.5 yards per carry in 2018 to 3.7 in 2019. His decreased efficiency did partially result from New England’s injured offensive line and defanged pass-catchers. Still, it also leaves Michel open to not having his fifth-year option picked up if 2020 goes poorly for the young running back.

Meanwhile, Phillip Lindsay, who went undrafted, upstaged most of the running backs taken in 2018 by making the Pro Bowl as a rookie. That year, Lindsay averaged 5.4 yards per carry. His average also dipped in his second year, but it only reached 4.5 yards per attempt, which is Michel’s career-high. In his two seasons in Denver, Lindsay tallied 2,048 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns.

The redraft move to New England could be a welcome change of scenery for Lindsay as well, considering the Broncos might replace him with Melvin Gordon this season.

32. Baltimore Ravens: Michael Gallup, WR (Lamar Jackson, QB)

With the final pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Baltimore selected Louisville’s Lamar Jackson. We all know how that story ended. However, Jackson went from last to first in the redraft, so the Ravens need a new pick.

With Jackson and the other qualified first-round quarterbacks long gone, the Ravens don’t get a replacement for the aging Joe Flacco. The former Super Bowl champion hindered Baltimore’s offense in 2018 to the point that John Harbaugh turned the starting job over to Jackson when Flacco got hurt and never gave it back. However, in the redraft, the Ravens have to make do with Flacco.

The least Baltimore can do is surround Flacco with weapons. In 2018, John Brown was the team’s leading wide receiver, followed by Willie Snead and Michael Crabtree. Brown signed a deal with Buffalo in the 2019 offseason. Crabtree left Baltimore after 2018 and is out of the league. Snead stuck around, but his production from 2018 to 2019 almost got cut in half.

Considering that the Ravens also missed out on Mark Andrews in the redraft, Baltimore desperately needs pass-catchers. Two qualified receivers remain on the board in Gallup and Christian Kirk. However, while Kirk is still attempting to surpass the 800-yard mark, Gallup caught 66 passes for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns last year.

Even if he doesn’t take over as a Day 1 starter, Gallup could become a full-time starter for Baltimore by his second season. This move also means the Ravens don’t draft Marquise Brown with the 25th pick in 2019. However, it does mean Baltimore misses out on their quarterback of the future and that Harbaugh possibly loses his job after the 2018 season.