This is who each team should’ve taken at the top of the last ten NFL Drafts.
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Teams wish they could go back in time and make the right pick at the top of the draft, as it’s hard to get it perfectly right. We’re going to go back in time and make the right pick for each team. Just like drafting in real life, positional value matters, so it’s not just the best guy in each draft class.
2015: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select Danielle Hunter
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Original Pick: Jameis Winston
While Winston did have some big years statistically for the Bucs, he ended up not being worth the pick. Ultimately, they’d select Hunter, who has been one of the league’s best defensive ends since coming into the league. 2015 was not a strong draft class, quite frankly.
2016: The Los Angeles Rams Select Jared Goff
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Original Pick: Jared Goff
This pick doesn’t change. They moved on from Goff when they could upgrade to Matthew Stafford. But, he was a Pro Bowler in LA, and led them to a Super Bowl appearance. He’s the clear pick.
2017: The Cleveland Browns Select Patrick Mahomes
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Original Pick: Myles Garrett
It’s hard to pick a better player than Myles Garrett. But, obviously, Mahomes fits the bill. How different would the league be if the Browns would’ve made this pick?
2018: The Cleveland Browns Select Josh Allen
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Original Pick: Baker Mayfield
We’re just redrafting each year as it was. So, for this exercise, they’ve drafted Myles Garrett the year before. That means that the right pick here is Josh Allen, who edges out Lamar Jackson due to better postseason performances. Some thought Allen should’ve been the first-overall pick at the time due to his massive potential.
2019: The Arizona Cardinals Select Nick Bosa
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Original Pick: Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray wasn’t a bad pick, necessarily. But, given what we know about the 2020 quarterback class, picking an NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner is the right choice.
2020: The Cincinnati Bengals Select Joe Burrow
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Original Pick: Joe Burrow
This is a no-brainer. Burrow is a franchise quarterback headed to the Hall of Fame someday.
2021: The Jacksonville Jaguars Select Penei Sewell
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Original Pick: Trevor Lawrence
The Jaguars could stick with Lawrence here, who has had bright moments. They could pick a superstar wideout in Ja’Marr Chase, too. But, we go with Penei Sewell, who looks like he’s going to be one of the greatest offensive tackles in league history. He’s a monster at a very valuable position.
2022: The Jacksonville Jaguars Select Aidan Hutchinson
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Original Pick: Travon Walker
Travon Walker has been better than people give him credit for. But, Hutchinson is a superstar and he was on track to win Defensive Player of the Year this year before breaking his leg.
2023: The Carolina Panthers Select CJ Stroud
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Original Pick: Bryce Young
Bryce Young’s career is salvageable. But, Stroud is a great young quarterback that’s already won two playoff games. This is a no-brainer.
2024: The Chicago Bears Select Jayden Daniels
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Original Pick: Caleb Williams
I will not be surprised if, in five years, the answer to this question is Daniels, Drake Maye, or Caleb Williams. But, after a spectacular rookie year, Jayden Daniels is the clear choice. He was magnificent both in the regular season and during a fantastic playoff run.