1) Cleveland Browns – Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
Original pick: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Three years ago, the Browns went with the obvious top prospect in the 2017 NFL Draft. Myles Garrett has been fantastic for Cleveland outside of his on-field attack on Mason Rudolph, but there’s no way Cleveland gives up the opportunity to pass on the Super Bowl MVP if they were given another opportunity to select him. Despite only starting 31 regular-season games as a professional quarterback, Mahomes finds himself just 588 yards away from the 10,000 passing yards milestone with a 76:18 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
2) San Francisco 49ers – Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Original pick: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina (CHI)
Jimmy Garoppolo’s limitations were on full display in the Super Bowl. While the 49ers cannot regret surrendering a second-round pick for their solid starting quarterback, San Francisco would likely avoid trading back a pick in this scenario and pick up a game-changing dual-threat under center. Deshaun Watson has three games of playoff experience through only three seasons and has quickly established himself as the respected leader of the Houston Texans’ locker room.
3) Chicago Bears – George Kittle, TE, Iowa
Original pick: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford (SF)
The Bears have been lacking at tight end over the past few years despite signing former Super Bowl champion Trey Burton in 2018. Kittle could have stepped into the Travis Kelce role in Matt Nagy’s offense upon his arrival in 2018 and provided an overwhelming combination of blocking and receiving for free agent Mike Glennon’s offense.
4) Jacksonville Jaguars – Christian McCaffery, RB, Stanford
Original pick: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Leonard Fournette has proven to be far from a bust despite a relatively rough second-year with the Jaguars, but the LSU running back rebounded greatly in 2019 with the help of his consistent health and a proper quarterback under center in Gardner Minshew. However, Fournette’s success does not dispel the fact that Christian McCaffery would serve as an upgrade in the offense. McCaffery began his career as primarily a receiver out of the backfield before physically developing to the NFL. Three years in, McCaffery has become an MVP candidate with nearly 5,500 yards from scrimmage and 39 total touchdowns for a Carolina team that has dealt with struggles in the passing game for the last season and a half.
5) Tennessee Titans – Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State
Original pick: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Chris Godwin exploded onto the scene in his third year as a professional receiver. The Penn State product would likely replace Corey Davis in a scenario of a draft re-do. While Davis has been developing well behind the scenes for the Titans, Godwin offers added versatility in the slot. Being that Marcus Mariota dealt with arm strength issues after picking up nerve damage in his elbow, Godwin could cater more to the former Tennessee quarterback’s skill-set.
6) New York Jets – Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Original pick: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
The first pick in this draft that will be staying the same, Jamal Adams has been an absolute home run for the Jets since being selected at the sixth-overall pick. The versatile safety has turned into a captain for New York’s defense and has flown around the field over his 46 active games. Adams has averages of 70 solo tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles per season despite New York’s inconsistencies with their pass rush.
7) Los Angeles Chargers – Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama
Original pick: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
With Eric Weddle gone and neither Derwin James or Desmond King yet in the picture, the Chargers could look to target another playmaker at defensive back. Eddie Jackson has been a ballhawk for the Bears since being drafted in the fourth round. Casey Heyward and Jackson would cause any quarterback to second guess their throws in fear of the ball going the other way. The Alabama safety also showed a knack for finding the end zone through his first two seasons, scoring five times via interceptions and fumble recoveries.
8) Carolina Panthers – Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Original pick: Christian McCaffery, RB, Stanford
The Panthers had a need for cornerback going into the 2017 NFL Draft after rescinding Josh Norman’s franchise tag. Marlon Humphrey has developed into a turnover machine for the Ravens after following Marshon Lattimore as the second cornerback off the board. He needed some time to earn his keep but paid back his current team with an All-Pro appearance in his third season.
9) Cincinnati Bengals – Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Original pick: John Ross III, WR, Washington
Instead of going with Joe Mixon, who has developed into the Bengals’ workhorse running back, Cincinnati is presented with a rare opportunity to upgrade their selection with Dalvin Cook. Cook, like Fournette, struggled with injuries early in his career. However, the former Florida State star has totaled over 3,000 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns over only 29 games.
10) Buffalo Bills – Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
Original pick: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech (KC)
The Bills probably couldn’t entice the Chiefs to trade up without Mahomes or Watson on the board in this re-mock, but they might not want to based on the performance of their 27th-overall pick. Tre’Davious White began to rival Stephon Gilmore as the best cornerback in the league towards the end of the 2019 NFL season. While White fell to the Chiefs’ original spot in 2017, Buffalo likely couldn’t wait for their prized defensive back again.
11) New Orleans Saints – Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
Original pick: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
This pick came down to two 2017 first-rounders that both ultimately went to New Orleans. Marshon Lattimore gets the edge over Ryan Ramcyzk here due to the defense’s stable improvement since Lattimore was selected. The 2017 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year provided the Saints with an instant shutdown corner on the outside. Ramcyzk might rank higher among his position group than the Ohio State product, but no risks can be taken after New Orleans’ historically awful defense through the middle of the decade.
12) Cleveland Browns – Ryan Ramcyzk, OT, Wisconsin
Original pick: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson (HOU)
Being that the 2017 regular season was Joe Thomas’ last and was further cut short by injury, the Browns could have ensured that one of their offensive tackle positions would remain up-to-par after their franchise anchor retired. Ramcyzk has developed into a top-three offensive tackle in the NFL and would serve as a Pro Bowl-caliber enforcer for Cleveland in both the running and passing games.
13) Arizona Cardinals – T.J. Watt, OLB, Wisconsin
Original pick: Haason Reddick, ILB, Temple
The edge opposite of Chandler Jones has lacked a lot of notable NFL names since Jones was acquired in 2016. In this scenario, they’re set up with arguably the best pair of edge rushers in the NFL. T.J. Watt exploded onto the scene for the Steelers in 2019, developing into a legitimate DPOY candidate with 14.5 sacks and a whopping 8 forced fumbles. Unlike his brother J.J., the younger Watt brother has proven capable of staying on the field, missing only one game throughout his three-year career.
14) Philadelphia Eagles – Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Original pick: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Myles Garrett has been available for just two more games than Derek Barnett, but the former first-overall pick has more than doubled the former fourth-overall pick’s sack total, 30.5 to 14. Putting Garrett on the Eagles’ defensive line seems unfair, given the immense depth stacked behind the likes of Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, and Malik Jackson, but he would give Philadelphia that second edge presence that would keep quarterbacks running for their lives.
15) Indianapolis Colts – Marcus Williams, S, Utah
Original pick: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
Outside of Marcus Williams’ glorious gaffe against Stefon Diggs in the Minnesota Miracle, the former second-round pick has developed into New Orleans’ second-best defensive back behind Marcus Lattimore. The rangy safety has been all over the place for the Saints, totaling for 187 tackles and 10 interceptions since stepping into the starting safety spot for Dennis Allen’s defense. Malik Hooker has looked extremely promising as a cover safety but has only been available for 34 of 48 possible games since entering the league.
16) Baltimore Ravens – Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington
Original pick: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
The Ravens entered the 2017 season with Mike Wallace and Jeremy Maclin serving as their primary receivers. Here’s an option in the slot for Joe Flacco that can take the pressure off having to rely on his waning arm strength. Cooper Kupp returned from an ACL tear in fantastic form as the Eastern Washington product put together a 94 catch, 1,161-yard, 10 touchdown season despite Jared Goff struggling to replicate his 2018 campaign.
17) Washington Theismanns – Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma
Original pick: Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Washington decided to enter the 2017 season with a trio of Samaje Perine, Chris Thompson, and Robert Kelley as their running backs. While Thompson emerged as a go-to receiver out of the backfield, it became clear that the running game was not functional. Pairing Kirk Cousins with Joe Mixon, a solid runner-receiver who has proven capable of handling a full workload at the pro level.
18) Tennessee Titans – Desmond King II, DB, Iowa
Original pick: Adoree’ Jackson, CB, USC
Adoree’ Jackson has looked solid enough to be considered worth the pick for Tennessee, but Desmond King presents an upgrade to the Titans’ situation. King has been a playmaker since day one, seemingly finding new ways to involve himself in the defense every week. King could also provide some juice on special teams. Jackson was highly-regarded as a return-man at USC but never developed into the Titans’ full-time returner. Meanwhile, King already has two punt return touchdowns to his name.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Budda Baker, S, Washington
Original pick: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Budda Baker has put together a stellar start to his young career with the Cardinals as an in-the-box safety for the Cardinals. Tampa Bay’s struggles with their secondary continued even after selecting Justin Evans in the second round. While Baker isn’t a designated cover safety, the rangy tackler would provide some much-needed support to Tampa Bay’s defensive backfield.
20) Denver Broncos – Garrett Bolles, OT, Utah
Original pick: Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
The Broncos entered the 2017 NFL Draft looking to replace former standout Ryan Clady. Bolles hasn’t been a superstar offensive lineman that has made a Pro Bowl like Ramcyzk, but has provided Denver with an increasingly steady level of play out of their anchor on the O-line. I’m sure there’d be a preemptive talk about some penalty issues, but Bolles would likely be the pick here unless Ramcyzk were to find himself available.
21) Detroit Lions –Â Jayon Brown, ILB, UCLA
Original pick: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
After playing limited snaps in his rookie season, Jayon Brown has quietly developed into a key member in the Titans’ front seven. Being that Detroit has needed a linebacker for about half a decade at this point, really since the injury-fueled decline of Deandre Levy after 2014. Jarrad Davis has shown some promise, but ultimately hasn’t performed to the same standard that Brown has over his past two seasons.
22) Miami Dolphins – Shaquill Griffin, CB, UCF
Original pick: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
The Dolphins went into the draft seemingly intent on picking up another piece to pair with Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh in their front seven. However, being that the acquisitions of cornerbacks Alterraun Verner and Byron Maxwell weren’t capable of filling the starting spot next to Xavien Howard, Shaquill Griffin might be the correct choice in hindsight. Griffin developed well in the same scheme that Maxwell came from, so Miami could get a proper press cornerback to pair with Howard. Despite only having three career interceptions, Griffin is an adept tackler and capably took over the top cornerback position after Richard Sherman left for San Francisco.
23) New York Giants – Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois
Original pick: Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
Evan Engram has missed 14 games over his first three seasons, so it’s unlikely the Giants take the promising tight end this high if they get another shot. Instead, New York can target a big-bodied receiver for the outside. The team originally planned on former Jet Brandon Marshall to take that role for the offense, but he never found his groove. Kenny Golladay has improved each of his three seasons and is now looking like one of the best deep threats in the game.
24) Oakland Raiders – Juju Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
Original pick: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
The Raiders had Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree at the time, but the Raiders could have given Derek Carr another option to throw to in the slot. Juju Smith-Schuster struggled without Ben Roethlisberger throwing him passes in 2019, but proved to be a great complementary receiver who can do a lot after the catch. Even after missing time with injury, the former Trojan has accumulated nearly 2,900 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.
25) Houston Texans – Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
Original pick: Jabril Peppers, S, Michigan (CLE)
Zach Cunningham ended up going to the Texans in the second round and has served as a fantastic value pick as the middle-man of the defense. Houston’s front seven has remained among the top third of the league since Cunningham’s drafting, so since neither quarterback would make it to 12, the team holds off on the trade and still ends up with a franchise standout.
26) Seattle Seahawks – Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Original pick: Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA (ATL)
Michael Bennett was done in Seattle after his 2017 campaign, so the Seahawks could’ve looked to use this pick on his replacement. Jonathan Allen has quietly put together a stellar three seasons in Washington, contributing to an underrated front seven that features Ryan Kerrigan and Matt Iodannis as well. The former Alabama defensive lineman would fit right in due to his positional versatility.
27) Kansas City Chiefs – Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
Original pick: Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU (BUF)
Along with Mahomes, the Chiefs also struck gold in the third round with the selection of Kareem Hunt. While off-field issues derailed his career in Kansas City, the Toledo product looked fantastic from the start behind Alex Smith in this offense. Instead of the promising, but ultimately, unfortunate selection of drafting Hunt, the Chiefs could elect to bring Alvin Kamara in to provide a spark as an explosive runner-receiver with no real questions regarding his character. The 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year wasn’t as effective without Mark Ingram effectively changing the pace of the offense, but still fills his role fantastically.
28) Dallas Cowboys – Adoree’ Jackson, CB, USC
Original pick: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
Before Byron Jones moved back to cornerback from safety, it looked like the Cowboys were entering the 2017 season bare at the cornerback position. Adoree’ Jackson’s presence in Dallas’ secondary could allow Jones to remain at safety or pair with Jackson as outside cornerbacks. Jackson played in a part-time capacity for Tennessee this previous season, yet played some of the best football of his career in limited snaps.
29) Green Bay Packers – Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
Original pick: David Njoku, TE, Miami (CLE)
Despite Evan Engram’s injury issues, his drafting to Green Bay in the 2017 draft would have prevented Jimmy Graham from finding his way to the Packers via free agency. For that alone, I’m sure the Packers would take Engram in stride. Not as fast as Graham was in his prime, Engram would still provide a better target than Graham proved to be by the point that he joined Aaron Rodgers on Green Bay.
30) Pittsburgh Steelers – Kevin King, CB, Washington
Original pick: T.J. Watt, OLB, Wisconsin
Knowing now that 2016 first-round pick Artie Burns never developed into a key player for the Steelers, it would not be the worst idea for Pittsburgh to double up on cornerback. Despite getting off to a slow start to his pro career, Kevin King overcame a rough first two years to become a playmaker opposite Jaire Alexander in Green Bay. Joe Haden was already past his prime when he joined Pittsburgh, so ensuring that King is on the opposite end of the field would ensure that the Steelers’ pass defense never took such a drastic step back after Ryan Shazier’s injury.
31) Atlanta Falcons – Pat Elflein, G, Ohio State
Original pick: Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama (SF)
After starting out at center for the Vikings, Pat Elflein adjusted well to the guard position in his third season after Minnesota drafted center Garrett Bradbury. As well all know now, the Falcons end up with some issues on the offensive line by the end of the decade. Drafting the versatile interior offensive lineman would help cover one of the guard positions next to Alex Mack for the foreseeable future.
32) New Orleans Saints – Dion Dawkins, OT, Temple
Original pick: Ryan Ramcyzk, OT, Wisconsin
Dion Dawkins is not Ryan Ramcyzk by any means, but the Temple product has developed into a fine offensive tackle in his own right for Buffalo. With Andrus Peat already in tow, the Stanford product might not have switched to guard if not for the acquisition of Ramcyzk. In reality, moving Peat to guard would serve as one addition, so the Saints can realistically get two moves for the price of one again even without their Pro Bowl tackle.
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