We don’t often get the chance to redo something in life and start over from the beginning. More often than not, we have to make choices and live with the consequences, both good and bad.
However, what if we could? What if every NFL team could go back to the 2022 NFL Draft and get a mulligan? Would the Jaguars go with Aidan Hutchinson over Travon Walker? Is Kenny Pickett the first quarterback drafted again? Would Brock Purdy make the first round? It’s time for a 2022 NFL Redraft.
2022 NFL Redraft
1) Jacksonville Jaguars: Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Original Pick: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Instead of re-igniting the ferocious debate that was waged over this pick (and still is), we’re going to just bypass it entirely and go with an entirely different player that is hard to argue with.
A cornerback has never been the first overall pick in any NFL Draft in history, but Sauce Gardner is the best defensive player in this class. It’s hard to argue that the Jaguars wouldn’t be thrilled to land that caliber of player with this pick, especially when you can pair him with Tyson Campbell long-term.
2) Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Original Pick: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
I don’t think the Lions would think too hard about this one before running the card back in for Aidan Hutchinson.
3) Houston Texans: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Original Pick: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Much like with Hutchinson, I don’t think this one will be much of a debate. Derek Stingley emerged as a true shutdown cornerback and a leader for Houston this season and was a key cog in their re-emergence.
4) New York Jets: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Original Pick: Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Jets miss out on one key defensive All-Pro in this 2022 NFL Redraft but land another in safety Kyle Hamilton. Hamilton enjoyed a phenomenal breakout year in 2023 with the Ravens in a creative hybrid nickel/box safety role, and the Jets could use him similarly under Robert Saleh to help keep their defense in elite territory.
5) New York Giants: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Original Pick: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
The other New York team in the top-five, the Giants lost out on the option to choose out of the top-three pass rushers in the original draft, but get to choose here. Kayvon Thibodeaux has been productive, but Travon Walker truly took that next step as a pass rusher in 2023 and has shone as a run defender.
6) Carolina Panthers: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Original Pick: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
Carolina needed a premier left tackle, which was the intent behind them taking Ikem Ekwonu. However, Ekwonu needed more development coming out of NC State, something the Panthers haven’t afforded him. In this 2022 NFL Redraft, they take a more ready option in Charles Cross.
7) New York Giants: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Original Pick: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
As talented as Evan Neal is, it hasn’t worked out with the Giants. Thus, Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen nab the eventual Offensive Rookie of the Year here to help give their offense a legitimate playmaker to build around and add to their arsenal.
8) Atlanta Falcons: Drake London, WR, USC
Original Pick: Drake London, WR, USC
Drake London has been the Falcons’ main weapon from the beginning. I don’t believe they would want to go in a different direction in this 2022 NFL Redraft, given what he has been for them as a leader and what he has done for their offense.
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9) Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Smith, OL, Tulsa
Original Pick: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Seattle loses out on their top tackle but quickly rebounds to add another stud option on their offensive line. Tyler Smith has been All-Pro caliber at guard, but he can kick out to left tackle — a position Seattle presumably plays him at. Given their recent quality development along the offensive line, Smith could quickly become a valuable tackle option for the Seahawks.
10) New York Jets: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Original Pick: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The Jets lost out on one Ohio State wide receiver but turned around and selected his teammate in this 2022 NFL Redraft to help fill the void. Chris Olave’s route-running puts him among the best in the game, and he could vie for OROY with the Jets, much like what Wilson did with the team in 2022.
11) New Orleans Saints: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
Original Pick: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
After losing out on the top three receiving options to boost their offense, the Saints have to pivot to add value elsewhere quickly. Jermaine Johnson II fell to the 26th pick but has come on strong for the Jets, culminating in a Pro Bowl spot this season.
Johnson having the opportunity to play alongside and learn from Cameron Jordan would be a tremendous spot for his development and give the Saints a long-term pass rusher for their defense.
12) Detroit Lions: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Original Pick: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
The talent has been evident for Jameson Williams, but it hasn’t clicked yet for him in Detroit. The Lions could land another explosive wide receiver later on, so they opt to double down on their defense in this 2022 NFL Redraft.
Trent McDuffie earned a First-Team All-Pro bid this season and would immediately step in as Detroit’s top corner. The Lions land two key cornerstones to help turn their defense around and pair with what we know will be a top-flight offense.
13) Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Original Pick: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Jordan Davis hasn’t quite taken that next step as a difference-maker up front for the Eagles, but I doubt that would stop general manager Howie Roseman from taking him again. Davis has been a pure nose tackle in the NFL, and his mammoth frame has given teams fits trying to move him in the run game.
14) Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Original Pick: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Baltimore would be pretty upset at losing out on Hamilton after scooping him up in the teens in the original draft but quickly pivot to securing their other top target from this draft before any other teams could steal him in between Baltimore’s two first-rounders.
Linderbaum has delivered on his pre-draft buzz to quickly become one of the game’s best centers, earning a PFWA All-Rookie Team nomination and a Pro Bowl bid in 2023.
15) Houston Texans: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
Original Pick: Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
Kenyon Green was supposed to be a 1-2 punch next to Laremy Tunsil, but things quickly fell apart for the former Texas A&M standout in the pros. Green has been benched, and Houston’s offense has hummed along. I doubt the team would spend much time thinking about a re-do here.
There were so many different spots this pick could have gone. Ultimately, another pass rusher to pair with Jonathan Greenard was the best option here. This year, Mafe broke out onto the scene with Seattle in 2023, posting 58 pressures and nine sacks, using tremendous power and length to beat opposing tackles.
16) Washington Commanders: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Original Pick: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Jahan Dotson’s name lost a lot of buzz with Washington’s offensive struggles this season, but the talent has been plenty evident on film. He’s still one of the best route runners from this class, and I don’t think Washington would be too upset with running it back with him again.
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada
Original Pick: Zion Johnson, G, Boston College
Zion Johnson has been fine for the Chargers at guard, but is it worth passing on another top playmaker at wide receiver? The position has been a need for the Chargers for years. Romeo Doubs can play outside and in the slot, interchanging with Keenan Allen to add more playmakers with Justin Herbert.
18) Tennessee Titans: George Pickens, WR, Georgia
Original Pick: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Titans acquired this pick after trading away A.J. Brown and picked Treylon Burks, hoping he could fill that spot. He hasn’t done so, and the team has relied on other players instead.
George Pickens plays with the toughness and mindset that Brown did, dominating at the catch point and winning after the catch. He’s a better fit for that role than Burks and hit the ground running in the pros — a no-brainer for the Titans’ front office in this spot.
19) New Orleans Saints: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
Original Pick: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Terron Armstead signed with the Dolphins in the offseason, leaving the Saints in a bind at left tackle. That desperation was part of why they traded up for Trevor Penning. While that hasn’t worked out for them, Bernhard Raimann has excelled for the Colts.
Raimann had a rough start as a rookie, but quickly took that next step for the Colts to develop into a good blindside blocker for Indianapolis. The Saints have held a revolving door at left tackle for the last two seasons, and Raimann could provide some stability.
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20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Brock Purdy, QB, Iowa State
Original Pick: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
What Brock Purdy has been for the 49ers is what the Steelers had envisioned Kenny Pickett to be when they drafted him. Instead of dealing with the awkward quarterback battle the team dealt with at the end of the 2023 season, Pittsburgh settles in with Purdy.
21) Kansas City Chiefs: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Original Pick: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Despite losing out on one key defensive piece, the Chiefs can add another one here. Thibodeaux has shown more flash than consistency in the pros so far but has taken steps forward and is beginning to take his game to another level.
The Chiefs added George Karlaftis later in the original draft but took one of the pre-draft “big three” pass rushers here to boost their defensive attack.
22) Green Bay Packers: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Original Pick: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
While Quay Walker hasn’t quite become the consistent playmaker Green Bay had in mind, Devin Lloyd has become that for Jacksonville. His length, athleticism, and ability to play multiple roles for a defensive front have quickly made Lloyd a difference-maker for the Jaguars. Now, he can do the same for Green Bay.
23) Buffalo Bills: Christian Benford, CB, Villanova
Original Pick: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The Buffalo Bills originally took Christian Benford in the sixth round but opted to take him 150 picks sooner in this 2022 NFL Redraft. Benford played the most snaps of any outside cornerback for the Bills this season and led the team in pass breakups. Elam hasn’t delivered, but maybe Benford would.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Travis Jones, DT, UConn
Original Pick: Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
Dallas lucked out with Tyler Smith falling to them in the original draft but doesn’t get that same luck this time. Instead, the team flips to the other side of the trenches to add a defensive force upfront in Travis Jones.
Jones has been a disruptive presence for Baltimore’s defensive line, with overwhelming strength, and has shown more and more upside as a pass rusher. Jones and Odighizuwa plugging the middle of Dallas’s defense would give them some real teeth in the run game for years to come.
25) Baltimore Ravens: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
Original Pick: Tyler Linderbaum, OC, Iowa
After securing Linderbaum earlier, the Ravens double-down on the offensive side of the ball and added a top playmaker to pair with Lamar Jackson.
The first running back taken in both the original draft and this 2022 NFL Redraft, Hall would give Baltimore a consistent rushing option and add another level of explosiveness to their already lethal rushing attack.
26) New York Jets: DaRond Bland, CB, Fresno State
Original Pick: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
This pick could be interesting, given the potential that the Jets could just opt to take a quarterback here, but I don’t believe any other options have earned the right to go in the first.
Someone who has is DaRon Bland, who carried some strong momentum at the end of his rookie year into an All-Pro spot in 2023 and a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. The Jets lose out on Sauce Gardner but add another All-Pro outside cornerback instead.
27) Jacksonville Jaguars: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
Original Pick: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Jacksonville’s offense could use a boost outside with a premier X style of wide receiver, which hurt them in 2023 and has made them a popular wide receiver pick in several 2024 NFL Mock Drafts. The Jaguars could address it earlier by adding Alec Pierce, one of the more underrated wide receivers, stealing him from a division rival in the process.
28) Green Bay Packers: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Original Pick: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Devonte Wyatt has been at the top of this entire defensive tackle class in pressures and sacks both years since being selected and has become the player the Packers envisioned he could be when they drafted him. There’s no reason they wouldn’t do so again with him falling to them in this 2022 NFL Redraft.
29) New England Patriots: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Original Pick: Cole Strange, G, Chattanooga
New England hasn’t found a consistent pass rusher to pair with Matt Judon, and it has left them without a defensive standout to build around for the future. George Karlaftis goes one spot earlier in this 2022 NFL Redraft to be that guy for the Patriots.
His play strength and physicality are key traits that the Patriots have coveted for years, making him an ideal scheme fit for them.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Original Pick: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
We all know the Chiefs’ issues with their wide receiver room this past season. Adding a true height/weight/speed prospect in Christian Watson would add a new level to Kansas City’s offense and give Mahomes a dynamite playmaker outside.
31) Cincinnati Bengals: Jake Ferguson, TE, Wisconsin
Original Pick: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Leaning into the offense here, Cincinnati takes another receiving option for Joe Burrow to weaponize. Jake Ferguson has been a mismatch since he got into the league and was a reliable weapon for Dallas, both before and after the catch. Adding him to the Bengals’ offense would give them another dangerous outlet to take advantage of.
32) Minnesota Vikings: Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
Original Pick: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Lewis Cine’s devastating injury as a rookie has clouded his entire NFL outlook. Minnesota has options to choose from here but still elects to add another member to their secondary with this pick.
Tariq Woolen’s length and ball skills earned him a Pro Bowl bid as a rookie when he led the NFL in interceptions. He would add an element still missing from the Vikings’ secondary.
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