2019 NFL Draft Redraft | Picks 17-32
How would the chain of events in Nashville have changed with the benefit of hindsight?
17) New York Giants: Elgton Jenkins, C, Mississippi State
Part two of the Giants’ rebuild comes with the selection of Mississippi State offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins. The offensive line was one of the most significant areas of need in 2019, and it continued to be into the subsequent two drafts.
Having been a versatile lineman for Mississippi State, Jenkins has established himself as one of the best in the business during his two seasons in the league. He has handled multiple spots on the line for the Packers, and there is genuine consideration to him playing offensive tackle in the future.
A year of experience in New York would have ensured that he was a solid piece on the line for whichever quarterback the Giants then selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. I’m a big believer that if you can have the offensive line in place before placing an inexperienced QB behind it, you’re in the best position to succeed.
18) Minnesota Vikings: Erik McCoy, C, Texas A&M
An astonishing display of athleticism at the NFL Combine saw North Carolina State center Garrett Bradbury’s draft stock soar in 2019. As a result, the Minnesota Vikings snatched him up with the 18th overall pick hoping he could solve their offensive line woes.
Although Bradbury has recovered somewhat after a shaky start, they replace him with former Texas A&M center Erik McCoy in this 2019 NFL Draft redraft. McCoy has been ever-present on the New Orleans Saints offensive line since his selection with the 48th pick. He anchors what is widely acknowledged as one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
19) Tennessee Titans: Jeffrey Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
After a dominating career for Mississippi State, Simmons was an ascending prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft. However, an ACL tear suffered while training for the draft threatened to derail his stock.
The Tennessee Titans took a leap of faith, and they look to have been repaid. In his first season as a full-time starter in 2020, Simmons tallied 14 quarterback hits, 3 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. 2021 could be a breakout year for the third-year defensive tackle.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
After the departure of Antonio Brown, the Pittsburgh Steelers possessed a hole in their wide receiver room. Although they selected Diontae Johnson early in the third round, Pittsburgh address the situation much earlier in this 2019 NFL Draft redraft.
Despite Marquise Brown having less career receiving yardage than Johnson so far, much of that can be attributed to his usage in Baltimore’s offense. Despite owning 43 fewer receptions, Brown has secured 3 more touchdowns than Johnson. The former Oklahoma pass catcher would be a dynamic weapon in the NFL’s most pass-happy offense.
21) Seattle Seahawks: Maxx Crosby, DE, Eastern Michigan
If the Oakland Raiders got it wrong with Ferrell at No. 4, they certainly made amends with the discovery of Maxx Crosby in the fourth round. The former Eastern Michigan pass rusher has been a dominant force and the silver lining to Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock’s grey cloud of a draft record to date.
In 26 starts, Crosby generated 17 sacks, 30 tackles for loss, and 27 quarterback hits. He would provide the much-needed pass-rush production that the Seattle Seahawks have been desperately searching for over the last two seasons.
22) Baltimore Ravens: Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
The Baltimore Ravens were another team with a need at edge rusher heading into the draft. They also had holes at linebacker and offensive tackle. However, with a lack of first-round talent remaining at those positions in this 2019 NFL Draft redraft, they replace Brown with South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
Samuel emerged as one of the most versatile offensive threats in his rookie season for the San Francisco 49ers. The early second-round pick was an integral part of the 49ers’ run to the Super Bowl. Samuel finished behind only standout tight end George Kittle in receiving yards while adding 159 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground.
He would be an intriguing weapon in Baltimore’s offense.
23) Houston Texans: Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State
The selection of Alabama State offensive tackle Tytus Howard was one of the biggest shocks of the 2019 NFL Draft. It is believed that the Texans wanted Washington State’s Andre Dillard. Still, when the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to swipe Dillard, the Texans panicked and selected Howard.
Luckily for Houston, Howard has arguably been the better of the two. He has certainly proved the more reliable, having made 22 starts compared to just four for Dillard. Additionally, Howard’s play in 2019 earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. He is projected to be the Texans’ right tackle in 2021.
24) Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
Mayock and the rest of the Raiders front office got at least one of their 2019 first-round picks right! Josh Jacobs led all rookie running backs in rushing yards in 2019 and finished eighth overall. He emerged as the spearhead of the Raiders offense. Since entering the NFL, Jacobs has led the team in yards from scrimmage yards in both of his seasons.
25) Philadelphia Eagles: Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State
With an aging offensive line, the expectation was that the Eagles would try and draft an offensive tackle in 2019. As mentioned above, they jumped up to snag Dillard but have only seen four games from him. In this 2019 NFL Draft redraft, they instead select Kansas State offensive tackle Dalton Risner.
Although Risner has since switched inside to left guard for the Denver Broncos, he was a highly-ranked offensive tackle prospect who garnered first-round consideration. Whether he moved inside for the Eagles or stayed at tackle, Risner would provide a mauler on the offensive line for Philadelphia.
26) Indianapolis Colts: Darnell Savage, S, Maryland
The Indianapolis Colts traded out of the 26th overall pick, allowing Washington to come up and select Sweat. Their first selection in 2019 came early in the second round, with the capture of Temple cornerback Rock Ya-Sin.
In this 2019 NFL Draft redraft, they still address their need in the secondary. Yet, this time Maryland safety Darnell Savage is on the board. The versatile playmaker is impactful in the box and locks down in coverage. He would have been the perfect complement to Malik Hooker for the Colts.
27) Oakland Raiders: Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia
For transparency, I liked the selection of Johnathan Abram with the 27th overall pick. Despite the injury issues, his physical style of play is a perfect fit for the Raiders’ brand. However, he has proven to be a liability in coverage in addition to the time lost to injury.
Although Juan Thornhill has also missed time with injury, his ability in coverage makes him the ideal replacement selection in this 2019 NFL Draft redraft. He has tallied 4 interceptions and 8 pass deflections since entering the league. Meanwhile, his performances as a rookie helped the Kansas City Chiefs reach a Super Bowl and earned him PFWA All-Rookie Team recognition.
28) Los Angeles Chargers: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
The Los Angeles Chargers’ biggest need in 2019 was offensive tackle. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t address the position in a weak class until the third round with Trey Pipkins. The Chargers’ second biggest need was at defensive tackle. As such, they used their first-round pick on defensive tackle Jerry Tillery from Notre Dame.
Tillery displayed some production in 2020. Yet, with former Clemson DT Dexter Lawrence still available in this 2019 NFL Draft redraft, they opt for the original 17th overall selection. Lawrence made an immediate impact for the Giants, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors.
29) Seattle Seahawks: Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
This is the selection that the Seahawks originally used on TCU defensive end L.J. Collier. After securing Crosby as their pass-rush threat early on, they can use this pick to address another area of need. In 2019, their second pick was safety Marquise Blair, but it can be argued that cornerback was of greater importance.
Trayvon Mullen has emerged as one of the bright spots of the Raiders’ 2019 draft. As a rookie, he allowed just 55% of his targets to be completed. That was better than both of the Seahawks’ starters in the 2019 season. Mullen also conceded just 2 touchdowns across his rookie campaign.
30) Green Bay Packers: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida
This may prove to be a slightly contentious addition to the Packers in this 2019 NFL Draft redraft. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is better known for his trash-talking than his production for most casual fans of the sport. The former Florida safety was involved in multiple confrontations last season, including with star teammate Michael Thomas.
Despite this, Gardner-Johnson has been one of the best defensive players to come out of the 2019 class.
In 13 starts last season, he allowed an exceptional 57% completion rate. Furthermore, he contributed 13 pass deflections and 1 interception while allowing just 2 touchdowns on 94 targets. With Savage already off the board, CGJ adds a versatile playmaker in the secondary.
31) Los Angeles Rams: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
The Los Angeles Rams made multiple trade-backs, finally making a selection at No. 61. The moves were a ringing indictment of the lack of available talent at the position they needed most — offensive tackle. In this 2019 NFL Draft redraft, they can’t trade back, but thankfully for the Rams, Washington State’s Andre Dillard falls into their laps.
Despite his injury issues, Dillard was highly rated coming into the draft and is expected to challenge for the starting left tackle position in Philadelphia this season. He would have received time to develop behind Andrew Whitworth in Los Angeles’ offense.
32) New England Patriots: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
With the final pick of this 2019 NFL Draft redraft, the New England Patriots select Iowa tight end Noah Fant. The Patriots had a Rob Gronkowski-shaped hole to fill in their offense, one which they hadn’t filled until free agency this year. It remains to be seen whether the additions of Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith will bring the impact New England desires.
Fant would provide a pass-catching weapon for Tom Brady’s final season in the navy blue and red. Cam Newton was always at his best in Carolina when he had Greg Olsen to rely on. With a playmaker like Fant on the team, Newton’s 2020 campaign with the Patriots may have yielded significantly better results.