17) Dallas Cowboys – Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
CeeDee Lamb was a luxury pick for the Cowboys in 2020. With Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup on the roster, wide receiver wasn’t a burning need. However, the opportunity to secure a playmaker like Lamb proved too much for Jerry Jones to resist.
In this 2020 NFL Draft redraft, they address the actual biggest need in the first round. Although Okudah had his struggles for the Lions — as documented above — the Cowboys address their abysmal secondary with the best cornerback available.
18) Miami Dolphins – Jeremy Chinn, S/OLB, Southern Illinois
Often referred to as the “poor man’s Isaiah Simmons” during the NFL Draft process, Chinn emerged as the biggest challenger to Chase Young for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. A versatile piece that lined up everywhere for the Carolina Panthers, Chinn would look to fill the void in the Miami Dolphins’ defense left by Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Although the original 18th pick, Austin Jackson, performed well at times, Chinn’s selection in this 2020 NFL Draft redraft is an obvious upgrade.
19) Las Vegas Raiders – C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
With the wide receiver need taken care of earlier in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Raiders shocked everyone with the selection of Damon Arnette at 19. The Ohio State cornerback hadn’t received any first-round buzz before the NFL Draft, and his 2020 play reflected why. Arnette allowed a 78.1 percent completion and a 106.9 passer rating.
With C.J. Henderson falling in this 2020 NFL Draft redraft, the Raiders select the former Florida corner instead.
20) Jacksonville Jaguars – K’Lavon Chaisson, LB, LSU
One of the most explosive pass rushers in LSU history, K’Lavon Chaisson filled the Jaguars’ need for a pass rusher. Although his 2020 production didn’t live up to expectation, Jacksonville stays with the pick in this 2020 NFL Draft redraft.
There isn’t another pass rusher that I would take above Chaisson available at this point for the Jaguars. Additionally, there isn’t a player at a different position of need that would rank above him.
21) Philadelphia Eagles – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
The Philadelphia Eagles were widely derided for taking Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson with this selection last April. Although hindsight is a wonderful thing, taking the former TCU receiver this early in the draft seemed like a risk at the time. Now, it is apparent that it wasn’t the best pick that the Eagles’ front office could make.
Regardless, wide receiver was — as it will be in the 2021 NFL Draft — one of the biggest needs. Filling the profile of speedy wide receiver, they land Henry Ruggs III instead in this 2020 NFL Draft redraft. Ruggs also has familiarity with potential Eagles starting quarterback Jalen Hurts.
22) Minnesota Vikings – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
With Justin Jefferson long gone, the Minnesota Vikings land former Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins in this 2020 NFL Draft redraft.
Despite losing quarterback Joe Burrow, Higgins still had an impressive rookie season for the Bengals. With 908 receiving yards, Higgins had the third most of any rookie behind Jefferson and Lamb. He also had six touchdowns, leading the Bengals in both receiving yards and touchdowns.
23) Los Angeles Chargers – Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
During the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers traded with the New England Patriots to grab former Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray. Although the trade remains the same, the player does not, as Patrick Queen lands in Los Angeles in this 2020 NFL Draft redraft.
During the NFL Draft process, it was very much a “pick your poison” approach as to whether you preferred Murray or Queen as the second linebacker behind Simmons. During their first season in the NFL, Queen has emerged as the more productive of the two. The former LSU linebacker has been an integral part of a ferocious Baltimore Ravens defense.
24) New Orleans Saints – Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
The New Orleans Saints drafted Michigan center Cesar Ruiz in April and keep faith with their selection in this 2020 NFL Draft redraft.
Ruiz played 69 percent of the team’s snaps, started nine games, and had just two penalties against him in a successful rookie campaign. Other than maybe selecting Kenneth Murray, they really couldn’t have picked a better player to suit their overall draft needs.
25) San Francisco 49ers – Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft couldn’t have gone much better for the 49ers than it did. For that reason, they replicate their second selection with Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in this 2020 NFL Draft redraft.
Although Aiyuk missed time in 2020, he was a multi-purpose weapon when he was on the field. In addition to his 5 receiving touchdowns, Aiyuk rushed for two more and amassed 825 total yards from scrimmage.
26) Green Bay Packers – Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Would Aaron Rodgers have had an MVP-caliber season if the Green Bay Packers hadn’t traded up to draft Jordan Love? We’ll never know. However, if his 2020 form is anything to go by, Love won’t be required to run the Packers’ offense any time soon.
Although wide receiver is commonly regarded as the biggest need, there is another glaringly obvious hole which they fill in this 2020 NFL Draft redraft.
Their defensive ineptitude halted the Packers’ charge to Super Bowl LV, and former Oklahoma linebacker Murray would help solve some of those issues. The Packers have been easy to run on this season. One of Murray’s key attributes during his college career was as a tough-tackling run stuffer. Team and talent make a perfect match.
27) Seattle Seahawks – Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
When the Seahawks drafted linebacker Jordyn Brooks, they filled one of many defensive needs. Despite a solid season from the former Texas Tech linebacker, Seattle’s defense was one of the worst in the early part of the 2020 season.
They gave up multiple picks to trade for New York Jets safety Jamal Adams during the season. However, the pass defense still finished the season near the bottom of the league rankings.
In this 2020 NFL Draft redraft, they replace Brooks with Antoine Winfield Jr. The former Minnesota safety has emerged as one of the best ball-hawking safeties in the league. With him roaming the Tampa Bay secondary, the Bucs have had one of the best defensive units in the NFL. Winfield logged 6 pass breakups, including an interception, while demonstrating pass-rush ability with 3 sacks. He deserved to be a first-round selection.
28) Baltimore Ravens – Alex Highsmith, OLB, Charlotte
With original pick Patrick Queen off the board, the Ravens’ options at 28 are somewhat limited. There isn’t an inside linebacker available to play in their 3-4 defense. Offensive line was — and remains — a need, and I toyed with the idea of giving them Wisconsin center Tyler Biadasz with their first-round pick in this 2020 NFL Draft redraft.
Instead, they add a pass-rush presence at outside linebacker with Alex Highsmith. The Steelers originally picked up Highsmith in the third round, and the small-school prospect showed in his rookie season that he belongs. In just five starts in 2020, Highsmith had 6 quarterback hits and 2 sacks. He also secured his first career interception against Baltimore.
29) Tennessee Titans – Michael Onwenu, OT, Michigan
In the biggest shift between the reality of the 2020 NFL Draft and the fantasy of this NFL Draft redraft, Michigan tackle Michael Onwenu goes from a sixth-rounder to a first-rounder. Onwenu has earned it following a rookie season where he has emerged as the best offensive lineman for the New England Patriots.
Onwenu replaces Isaiah Wilson, who can be safely described as a bust. Wilson was arrested prior to the season opener. He finished the season suspended for violating club rules. Head coach Mike Vrabel refused to comment on the former Georgia offensive tackle’s future with the franchise. Onwenu is a clear upgrade.
30) Miami Dolphins – Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
The Dolphins used their third and final first-round selection of the 2020 NFL Draft on cornerback Noah Igbinoghene. Although the former Auburn cornerback progressed through the season, in this NFL Draft redraft, the Dolphins instead opt for a player who probably improved the most throughout the course of the season.
Dantzler struggled at the start of the year but came on strong as it progressed. He finished the year with a pair of interceptions, allowed a completion percentage of 63.4 percent, and allowed just 525 yards in 11 total games — all of those rank better than the more highly regarded A.J. Terrell.
31) Minnesota Vikings – L’Jarius Sneed, CB, Louisiana Tech
Sneed was originally drafted with the 138th overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs. The former Louisiana Tech cornerback is one of the biggest reasons why the Chiefs’ defense has been vastly improved on their way to Super Bowl LV.
He was voted to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team after a season where he logged 41 tackles, 2 sacks, 7 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions.
32) Kansas City Chiefs – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
With the final pick in this 2020 NFL Draft redraft, the Chiefs swap Clyde Edwards-Helaire for Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor.
Although Edwards-Helaire exploded into life early in his rookie season, Taylor finished the year with more rushing yards, yards per carry, and provided a more potent red zone threat with 11 touchdowns. Concerns about his catch ability were allayed with the best catch completion percentage in the NFL.