REDRAFTING THE 2010 NFL DRAFT
1. St Louis Rams
Redraft Pick: Trent Williams, OT
Original Pick: Sam Bradford, QB
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The Rams absolutely needed a new QB by this point, but there were no franchise-changers in this class. Instead, the Rams take the safest pick in the draft in Trent Williams. Williams is a plug-and-play talent who could hold down the tackle position for 10-15 years.
2. Detroit Lions
Redraft Pick: Rob Gronkowski, TE
Original Pick: Ndamukong Suh, DT
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Suh has had a terrific NFL career, but Gronkowski is one of the two best tight ends to ever play. Detroit had a young Matt Stafford under contract, and he would have benefited immensely from a talent like Gronkowski. Drafting offensive weapons famously backfired on the Lions in the years leading up to this, but taking yet another risk would finally have been worth the reward.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Redraft Pick: Gerald McCoy, DT
Original Pick: Gerald McCoy, DT
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We find our first perfect pick! Gerald McCoy has been a beast the entirety of his career, now plying his trade for the Panthers after a sterling nine years with the Bucs. McCoy is a six-time Pro-Bowler and one-time All-Pro. He ranks sixth among this draft class in sacks, which is no small feat considering his contemporaries. Outside of Aaron Donald and J.J. Watt, McCoy is arguably the best interior rusher of the past decade.
4. Washington
Redraft Pick: Earl Thomas, S
Original Pick: Trent Williams, OT
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The last year has been quite the odyssey for Earl Thomas, but don't forget the stud he was throughout the first nine years of his career. A highly touted prospect out of college, Thomas was as good as advertised. Three All-Pro nods, seven Pro Bowl teams and 30 interceptions--Earl Thomas is as talented as any safety in the modern era. He was the cornerstone of Seattle's famed "Legion of Boom" and a key to that franchise's Super Bowl win.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Redraft Pick: Antonio Brown, WR
Original Pick: Eric Berry, S
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Antonio Brown has basically missed a season and a half, yet he still leads this draft class in receptions and receiving yards; he is first among wideouts in TDs, only surpassed by a couple tight ends. 2010 was still during the Todd Haley era, but Andy Reid wasn't too far away; imagine what the Chiefs could have done with Reid, Brown, Jamaal Charles and eventually Patrick Mahomes. Yikes!
6. Seattle Seahawks
Redraft Pick: Ndamukong Suh, DT
Original Pick: Russell Okung, OL
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2010 was the debut season for Pete Carroll and THAT run by Marshawn Lynch in the playoffs. Getting Ndamukong Suh would have been some icing on the cake for Seattle. Suh would have presumably been there in 2013 and 2014 when the Seahawks made their Super Bowl appearances; that defensive line would have featured Suh, Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. Good luck against that. People love to hate on Suh, but when it comes to football talent, he's the real deal; he has compiled 62 sacks and is a three-time All-Pro.
7. Cleveland Browns
Redraft Pick: Joe Haden, CB
Original Pick: Joe Haden, CB
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Even the Cleveland Browns can nail a draft pick from time to time. Amidst the miasma that is the Browns organization, they did manage to snag the best corner in the draft. It's not definitive that the Browns biggest need in 2010 was a cornerback, but Haden was as "sure thing" as any player on the board at this point. He snagged a career-high six picks in his rookie season, and has gone on to snag 28 total INTs--8th among active players. The Browns got it right here.
8. Oakland Raiders
Redraft Pick: Sean Lee, LB
Original Pick: Rolando McClain, LB
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If the Raiders wanted a do-it-all linebacker in 2010, they couldn't have done any better than Sean Lee. The archetype of a Penn State, "Linebacker U" player, Lee somehow fell to the 55th overall, the sixth LB taken. Since then, he has gone one to have the most successful NFL career of any pure linebacker from this draft class (more on that later), and accumulate the sixth most tackles among all 2010 rookies. Injuries are the only thing that have limited Lee from being a perennial star player, but when healthy, he is the consummate field general.
9. Buffalo Bills
Redraft Pick: Geno Atkins, DT
Original Pick: C.J. Spiller, RB
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The debate for most underrated player in this class goes to one of two Cincinnati Bengals linemen. The first is a monster in the middle who fell to fourth round and promptly went on to make eight Pro Bowl games. Geno Atkins is the prototype of a modern day defensive lineman--a thick mass of humanity who can stuff the run but is also nimble enough to chase down quarterbacks. Whether it is due to being in Cincinnati or being overshadowed by more colorful characters during his time in Cincy, Atkins never gets the recognition his deserves.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Redraft Pick: Everson Griffen, DE
Original Pick: Tyson Alualu, DT
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On the topic of defensive lineman who don't get enough credit, let's introduce Everson Griffen. The USC product was the 100th pick in 2010 and the 12th defensive end drafted. It took him some time to get going, but by the time defensive wizard Mike Zimmer got to town, Griffen was firing on all cylinders for the Vikings and now has 77 career sacks. Simarly to Griffen, it took the Jaguars of the 2010s a while to get going, but by their AFC championship game season in 2017, Griffen was in his prime and may have been the catalyst they needed.
11. San Francisco 49ers
Redraft Pick: Maurkice Pouncey, OL
Original Pick: Anthony Davis, OT
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If the 49ers wanted to bolster their offensive line, they couldn't have done any better than Pouncey. Who has the most Pro Bowl appearances from the class of 2010? Maurkice Pouncey and Geno Atkins. The Steelers offensive line was a punchline when Pouncey got to town. In the ensuing years, he anchored one of the most consistent units in the NFL. Center may be the least glamorous position on the team, but as the general in the trenches, Pouncey has been as good as anyone in the league.
12. San Diego Chargers
Redraft Pick: Navorro Bowman, LB
Original Pick: Ryan Mathews, RB
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Remember that thing about Sean Lee probably being the best linebacker in this class? Bowman is the other contender. The surprising thing about Bowman is that he retired after the 2017 season, capping off a remarkable eight year career. He was terrifying, and the combination of he and Patrick Willis were menacing during the glory days of the 49ers in the early 2010s. Bowman was a four-time All-Pro in his eight seasons. The Chargers could have found a running back later, whereas Bowman would have been an immediate upgrade to a defense in need.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
Redraft Pick: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE
Original Pick: Brandon Graham, DE/OLB
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Who leads this draft class in career sacks as of 2020? Jason Pierre-Paul. He is 11th among all active players looks to have a great shot at joining the 100 sack club. Coming out of South Florida, everybody knew JPP was an elite talent, thus why he went 15th to the Giants on draft day. For whatever reason people seem to have fallen out of love with Pierre-Paul, but he has steadily gone about his business horrifying quarterbacks and racking up sacks.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Redraft Pick: Eric Berry, S
Original Pick: Earl Thomas, S
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The "best safety" discussion in this class was between Thomas and Berry, and then everybody else. Berry was probably the better talent and by many accounts the most surefire pick in 2010. This would likely be the case and Berry would be a guaranteed hall-of-famer had unforeseen medical issues gotten in the way. His story is one of resilience worth a deep dive beyond this article. It makes his ability to earn three All-Pro honors even more astounding. Berry could do it all and would have made an excellent leader for the "LOB."
15. New York Giants
Redraft Pick: Carlos Dunlap, DE
Original Pick: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE
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With Jason Pierre-Paul off the board, the Giants look to the next best defensive end available, Carlos Dunlap. As discussed with Geno Atkins, Cincinnati defensive linemen get no credit. Dunlap falls into that category, in spite of collecting 83 sacks in his career. Dunlap was an integral piece of the annual playoff runs during the Marvin Lewis era; the New York Giants love defensive linemen, and there is no way they could pass on a guy of Dunlap's ability.
16. Tennessee Titans
Redraft Pick: Dez Bryant, WR
Original Pick: Derrick Morgan, DE
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If the New York Giants love defensive linemen, the Tennessee Titans love first round receivers. However, Dez Bryant is better than any they have taken in recent memory. Originally taken 23rd by Dallas and the second wideout selected, Bryant would go on to become a touchdown machine for the Cowboys; his 73 scores are second to only AB among 2010 receivers. Bryant's career fizzled after 2017 due to injuries, but his early years could have been a spark for a mediocre Tennessee team and eventually a young Marcus Mariota who needed weapons.
17. San Francisco 49ers
Redraft Pick: Mike Iupati, OL
Original Pick: Mike Iupati, OL
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Offensive linemen are boring. Bad offensive lines lead to bad football. Mike Iupati is a good offensive linemen who lead to great football. The 49ers of the Jim Harbaugh days could count on exceptional line play, including Mike Iupati. No reason to change this pick; it is boring, but it is necessary to build a winner.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Redraft Pick: Demaryius Thomas, WR
Original Pick: Maurkice Pouncey, OL
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The 2010 draft produced many very good receivers but only three truly elite number-one options; the first two have been mentioned, thus leaving Demaryius Thomas. He originally went 22nd to the Broncos but bumps up here a bit with Pouncey already off the board. Thomas never grabbed headlines like Antonio Brown or Dez Bryant, but he did grab 63 touchdowns and more than 9,300 yards. Thomas is a pros pro who would have filled the void of Brown and a retiring Hines Ward.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Redraft Pick: Kam Chancellor, S
Original Pick: Sean Weatherspoon, LB
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Kam Chancellor may be the most ferocious defensive back of the last 25 years. Built like a granite statue, Chancellor was huge for a safety with hit power to match. He was not taken for his coverage skills, but he patrolled the middle ready to hammer any wayward receivers. Atlanta has needed defensive help seemingly forever and Chancellor would have set a new tone and attitude in Georgia.
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20. Houston Texans
Redraft Pick: Devin McCourty, DB
Original Pick: Kareem Jackson, CB
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Kareem Jackson has been a foundational stalwart for the Texans, but in this redraft, McCourty is just a touch better; he originally went 27th to the Patriots, where he has become a respected elder statesmen. McCourty is a two-time Pro-Bowler with 28 interceptions to his name. During the revitalization of the New England secondary in the late 2010s--when they became the best in the league--it was McCourty at the heart of the renaissance.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Redraft Pick: Linval Joseph, DT
Original Pick: Jermaine Gresham, TE
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Linval Joseph was originally the seventh defensive tackle taken in a class flush with them. As it stands, there are very few who come close to matching his career. Joseph is a big, big man who plays more of the classic gap-filler role than quarterback chaser. He doesn't have the sack numbers to match Geno Atkins or Gerald McCoy, but he is second in tackles among 2010 DTs. With no Atkins available, Joseph would become the bedrock inside the Bengals defense.
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22. Denver Broncos
Redraft Pick: Roger Saffold, OL
Original Pick: Demaryius Thomas, WR
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Denver had two first-round picks in 2010s, and the first one here gets dedicated to a offensive tackle who could hold down the blindside for 10-plus years. Saffold has done just that for a decade, thriving through an array of coaches and schemes. The Sean Mcvay system has taken off, due, in part, to consistent play from Saffold. Denver's up-and-down line play would be stabilized by Saffold's presence.
23. Green Bay Packers
Redraft Pick: T.J. Ward, S
Original Pick: Bryan Bulaga, OT
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T.J. Ward was not near as hyped coming out of college as some of his contemporaries, but he would quickly prove his worth for Cleveland. He is a two-time Pro Bowl player and is top ten in tackles among the class. He has been one of the league's best at stepping up from the secondary to play the run; pretty impressive for a guy who went undrafted in 2010.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Redraft Pick: Kareem Jackson, CB
Original Pick: Dez Bryant, WR
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Dallas actually did pretty well in 2010 drafting Dez Bryant and Sean Lee. With both off the board in this scenario, they address a situation that has slowed Dallas for years. The secondary in Big D has long been lackluster, but the tide could turn with Kareem Jackson as the foundation. Jackson quietly carved out an excellent career in Houston before joining the Broncos. He is near the top of the board in career starts and is sixth in the class in interceptions; Jackson exemplifies consistency.
25. Denver Broncos
Redraft Pick: Emmanuel Sanders, WR
Original Pick: Tim Tebow, QB
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Emmanuel Sanders would eventually find his way to Denver, but it was after a brilliant start to his career in Pittsburgh. Sanders stands third in the class in yards and fifth in receptions; he is the archetype of a reliable possession reciever. He made two Pro Bowls--fourth best amongst a robust crop of receivers.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Redraft Pick: Jerry Hughes, DE
Original Pick: Dan Williams, DT
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There was a time when Jerry Hughes had the dreaded "B" word attached to his draft status. A first round pick with tons of hype, Hughes only scored seven starts and five sacks in three years with the Colts. A change of scenery revitalized Hughes career; since joining the Bills, Hughes has been a perennial starter and now has 55 career sacks--8th best in the class. In a year that produced several future hall-of-famers, that's an exceptional feat.
27. New England Patriots
Redraft Pick: Brandon Graham, OLB/DE
Original Pick: Devin McCourty, CB
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Brandon Graham just feels like a Bill Belichick guy. Smart, versatile and all the leadership intangibles a team could want, Graham would thrive in New England. His 58 sacks are a tremendous number, but other than that he doesn't "wow" on paper. It's the attitude, presence and football IQ that make Graham the kind of player a team wants leading a defense.
28. Miami Dolphins
Redraft Pick: Reshad Jones, S
Original Pick: Jared Odrick, DE
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On the short list of biggest steals is Reshad Jones--a guy who ended up in Miami in 2010, but only after falling to the fifth round. His 21 picks are only eclipsed by Earl Thomas, Devin McCourty and Joe Haden. He is also second in the entire class in total tackles. Miami needed him and wanted him in 2010, and here he gets drafted where he deserved.
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29. New York Jets
Redraft Pick: Russell Okung, OL
Original Pick: Kyle Wilson, CB
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The Jets were riding high in 2010, but that year's draft was rough with only four picks to their name. None of those four would become long-term starters for the Jets. Conversely, Russell Okung has etched out a lengthy career as starter at tackle for four teams. A top-ten pick in 2010, Okung was widely regarded as one of the two best offensive linemen in the draft. He got off to a slow start, but since then he has added two Pro Bowl games to his resume.
30. Detroit Lions
Redraft Pick: Victor Cruz, WR
Original Pick: Jahvid Best, RB
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How much easier would Matt Stafford's life be if he got not only Gronk but also a speedy wideout who had a handful of years as one of the league's best. Cruz didn't have a long career, but for a few seasons in the early-to-mid 2010s, he was a comet and key cog in the wheel for the Giants on their way to the Super Bowl. With two fantastic weapons in their primes, the fortunes of the Lions may have been much different.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Redraft Pick: Derrick Morgan, DE
Original Pick: Jerry Hughes, DE
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With Jerry Hughes off the board, the Colts go for the next best defensive end available. Much like Hughes, Morgan spent his career quietly going about his business; he was a perennial starter for the Titans and bane of opposing quarterbacks.
32. New Orleans Saints
Redraft Pick: Jimmy Graham, TE
Original Pick: Patrick Robinson, CB
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Jimmy Graham's best years were with the Saints and his bonkers numbers are what they are thanks to his time with New Orleans. Graham's numbers are among the all-time best for tight ends and he is a five-time Pro Bowler. In this version of the draft, Graham goes in round one rather than falling pick number 95.