REDRAFTING THE 2018 NFL DRAFT
1. Cleveland Browns: Josh Allen, QB
Original Pick: Baker Mayfield, QB
The 2018 draft will go down as a case study in quarterback evaluations. Five candidates vied for top status--Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson, Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold and Josh Allen. Mayfield was the cocky college superstar with the never-say-die attitude; Jackson was a Heisman winning super athlete with questions about his throwing ability; Darnold was the polished "pro-style" quarterback who looked to have all the tools; Rosen possessed world-class arm talent but scouts balked at his ability to lead an NFL team; Allen was the big-bodied mobile gunslinger.
Arguments were made for any of the five to go first overall, but the brash Mayfield won the pony. While he has arguably posted the best numbers--most yards, completions, attempts, starts and touchdowns, it is Allen whose been right on his heels and looks poised for the best future.
Photo Credit: Fox
2. New York Giants: Quenton Nelson, OL
Original Pick: Saquon Barkley, RB
Quenton Nelson was considered the truest "can't miss" prospect in the class. Everybody knew he would be world class, and he has lived up to all expectations during his three years in the league. He is a three-time AP All-Pro starter, the only player in the class to earn that distinction, and has started every game of his career. The Notre Dame alum originally went sixth to the Colts, bolstering an already stout line.
Prior to a 2020 injury, Saquon Barkley looked like one of the best backs in the league. However, those injury woes are exactly why it is a precarious choice to select rushers so high. Barkley may be electric, but the Giants should have gone with the safe, surefire pick that could anchor the team for a decade.
Photo Credit: USA Today
3. New York Jets: Lamar Jackson, QB
Original Pick: Sam Darnold, QB
As the 2018 draft neared, the aforementioned quarterback debate seemed to distill down to Darnold or Mayfield; the Jets were positioned to select whichever passer the Browns passed on. However, it was the afterthought, the fifth quarterback taken, who has shown brighter than that pair. Lamar Jackson has been excellent and proven he has the tools to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL; everyone knew he was athletic and fast, perhaps the fastest quarterback ever, but he's largely assuaged concerns about his passing acumen. He's the ultimate dual threat and an MVP.
The Jets are a franchise mired in chaos, and it is hard for any single player to right the ship. However, the instant impact and skill set Jackson brings to the table would be a dynamic first step.
Photo Credit: Sporting News
4. Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward, CB
Original Pick: Denzel Ward, CB
The first perfect pick in the redraft, Denzel Ward was the top ranked cornerback by a wide margin. The 2018 edition of highly touted Ohio State cornerbacks, Ward carried on a tradition that's yielded mixed results. Thus far, Ward's career has gone more the way of Marshon Lattimore than other Buckeye corners. He has been to the Pro Bowl and is top five in the class in interceptions and passes defensed.
Early defensive back picks have been a recipe for disaster in recent Browns history; however, Ward is breaking that trend. He is the ideal shutdown corner and could be a long-awaited solution for the Cleveland secondary.
Photo Credit: Washington Post
5. Denver Broncos: Bradley Chubb, DE/OLB
Original Pick: Bradley Chubb, DE/OLB
Back-to-back perfect picks in the redraft and it goes to one of the strongest drafting teams in the NFL. Bradley Chubb was widely considered the top pass-rusher in the class and was often debated as the top overall selection. Chubb immediately drew comparisons to 2017 top overall pick Myles Garrett following an impressive rookie campaign. He started all 16 games and recorded a career-best 12 sacks; to date, it has been his best season, although he did add a Pro Bowl to his resume after the 2020 season.
Chubb's 20.5 sacks are the best in the class, despite missing most of the 2019 season. He is set up to be the heir-apparent to Von Miller.
Photo Credit: USA Today
6. Indianapolis Colts: Frank Ragnow, OL
Original Pick: Quenton Nelson, OL
Offensive line may be the best position group in this class, and that includes depth at all three positions. With Quenton Nelson already off the redraft board, the Colts look to the next best interior lineman, Frank Ragnow. Ragnow originally went 20th to the Lions, who are strangely adept at drafting linemen, and he flies up the board here to fill the void. Ragnow has already been to a Pro Bowl and has started 45 of 48 possible NFL games.
The biggest question with Ragnow is positional fit. The Colts were already set at center with Ryan Kelly, thus necessitating a Ragnow move to guard. With his talent, the move out to guard, ideally on the left side, would be no stretch.
Photo Credit: Detroit Lions
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S
Original Pick: Josh Allen, QB (to Bills)
Nobody in this class is as dangerous over the middle of the field as Minkah Fitzpatrick. An elite athlete with the speed to close on any receiver and the power to step up and lay the hammer on any tight end or back, Fitzpatrick can do it all. His 11 interceptions are second best in the class, and he's one of a select few players to play in every game. He has been to two Pro Bowls and named to two All-Pro teams.
Tampa Bay originally traded this pick to the Bills, but with no trades in the redraft, the Bucs stay put and select one of the most versatile defenders in the league. The Buccaneers were bereft of playmakers in the secondary and drafted three DBs in 2018. Fitzpatrick would be a godsend.
Photo Credit: Sporting News
8. Chicago Bears: Darius Leonard, LB
Original Pick: Roquan Smith, LB
Had Darious Leonard played at Georgia, Clemson or LSU, he would have been drafted in the top 10; however, he was unfairly painted with the "played against lesser competition at a small school" brush. The Colts had the wherewithal to snag Leonard early in the second round, and the South Carolina State alum has transformed that defense. He has been to two Pro Bowls, honored on two All-Pro teams and leads the class in tackles; he's outperformed almost all of his peers in a class loaded with fantastic linebackers and safeties.
Few teams are as synonymous with elite linebackers as the Bears. They were clearly looking to replenish the middle of the defense, and Leonard is the best man for the job.
Photo Credit: ESPN
9. San Francisco 49ers: Orlando Brown, Jr. OL
Original Pick: Mike McGlinchey, OL
Orlando Brown, Jr. was originally a highly touted prospect early in the draft cycle. As draft day neared, he inexplicably tumbled down draft boards. Three years later he stands head and shoulder above every other tackle in the class, a familiar feat for a man whose listed at 6'8", 345 pounds. He somehow fell to the third round where the Ravens got him as a steal. Lamar Jackson's success owes a lot to Brown as his right tackle.
The 49ers were in desperate need of new blood along the offensive line, and this is simply taking the best lineman available.
Photo Credit: Sporting News
10. Oakland Raiders: Kolton Miller, OL
Original Pick: Josh Rosen, QB (to Cardinals)
Oakland originally snagged Kolton Miller with the 15th pick after trading draft slots with the Cardinals, so the Raiders get some credit for making the smart choice. Miller hasn't achieved the accolades of some other linemen in this crop, yet, but he has been consistent. He started from day one and has only missed two games in his career. His fundamentals are nearly flawless, and he's barely been penalized in the last two seasons.
The Raiders were quite stout on the interior of the offensive line, but they were rebuilding at tackle. They started two rookie tackles in 2018, Miller being one of them. He's been excellent and they keep him at left tackle in the redraft.
Photo Credit: USA Today
11. Miami Dolphins: Jessie Bates III, S
Original Pick: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S
Miami crushed its 2018 pick with Minkah Fitzpatrick. With him off the board, they go from uber-hyped safety to an overlooked safety in Jessie Bates. Coming out of Wake Forest, Bates wasn't on any first-round radars. He fell to the 54th pick where he was snatched up by the Bengals and has gone on be as versatile as any player from the class. He is one of two players from this draft to be top five in interceptions and solo tackles. He has also played every game of his career; it is a travesty that he has never been to a Pro Bowl.
Miami backfills with Bates here, and he rounds out a pretty impressive Dolphins secondary; they already had Xavien Howard, Reshad Jones and T.J. McDonald in 2018.
Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports
12. Buffalo Bills: Baker Mayfield, QB
Original Pick: Vita Vea, DT (to Bucs)
A parallel universe where Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield swap teams--how different would the NFL look? Mayfield takes a lot of heat, whether or not he deserves any of it. He is a polarizing personality, but he is entertaining and more importantly, he is a winner. Mayfield is a grinder who has won everywhere he has been, and when one of those places is Cleveland, that is an achievement. In spite of the criticism, Mayfield has posted better numbers than any of his peers. He leads in games started, touchdowns, yards, completions and attempts. His interception numbers are concerning, but he's gotten the job done for one of the league's longest suffering franchises.
Buffalo has similarly struggled, and it would be worth it for them to take a chance on Mayfield.
Photo Credit: NBC Sports
13. Washington Football Team: Daron Payne, DL
Original Pick: Daron Payne, DT
Washington has been on a mission to build a devastating defensive line, and the franchise has drafted some excellent stars along the way. In four consecutive first rounds the team picked Johnathan Allen, Daron Payne, Montez Sweat and Chase Young--a foursome guiding the way for an up-and-coming defense.
This class didn't yield much defensive line talent, and Payne has clearly been the best interior lineman of the bunch. He leads defensive tackles in sacks and solo tackles, and he has only missed one game in his career. Payne is just scratching the surface.
Photo Credit: CBS Sports
14. Green Bay Packers: JC Jackson, CB
Original Pick: Marcus Davenport, DE (to Saints)
The biggest steal of the class, J.C. Jackson went undrafted in 2018, likely due to an off-field legal issue rather than his gameplay. He was later acquitted of any wrongdoing in the case. Leave it to the New England Patriots--as they so often do--to find a diamond in the rough amongst the undrafted player pool. He was a role player for the Patriots during his first two seasons before erupting in 2020. His nine interceptions and 14 passes defensed were career highs; his 17 interceptions lead all players from the 2018 draft.
Green Bay spent its first two picks on cornerbacks in 2018, clearly showing a need at the position. Both have been great, especially Jaire Alexander, but thus far, Jackson has outplayed both.
Photo Credit: USA Today
15. Arizona Cardinals: Mike McGlinchey, OL
Original Pick: Kolton Miller, OL (to Raiders)
Arizona traded up to get in on the quarterback sweepstakes of 2018, but in the redraft they hang back and wait for a mauling offensive lineman to fall into their lap. The quarterback didn't pan out, so the smart move is to take the safe bet and go with Mike McGlinchey. The Notre Dame star has started nearly every game for the 49ers since entering the league, splitting time at guard and tackle. He has been equally adept at both.
For the Cardinals, McGlinchey fits well as the right tackle. With a mobile quarterback like Kyler Murray running the offense, Arizona needs quick-footed tackle to clear the path. McGlinchey is the optimal blend of power and speed.
Photo Credit: USA Today
16. Baltimore Ravens: Sam Darnold, QB
Original Pick: Tremaine Edmunds, LB (to BIlls)
Baltimore pulled the move of the draft when they traded back into round one to snag Lamar Jackson at number 32. Jackson has been an MVP and breathed new life into the Ravens; however, he's already been redrafted, which means Baltimore needs a new franchise quarterback. The concerns about Sam Darnold are justified, but their degree could be attributed to the Jets organization rather than the player.
Darnold has exhibited some moments of brilliance, including posting more yards and completions than Jackson. In Baltimore he would have had the opportunity to sit behind Joe Flacco for a year and learn as part of one of the premier organizations in the league.
Photo Credit: CBS Sports
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Fred Warner, LB
Original Pick: Derwin James, S
Fred Warner may be the best leader in this class and one of the best in the entire league. To step in as a rookie, drafted in the third round, and become the captain of a vaunted defense like the 49ers is no small feat. Warner has started every game at middle linebacker since coming into the league and made his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams in 2020. He is also second in this class in tackles. Warner has already drawn comparisons to Patrick WIllis and NaVorro Bowman, and he's well on his way to joining that pantheon.
The Chargers needed to address every defensive position except defensive end. Warner is the best all-around defensive prospect at this stage.
Photo Credit: CBS Sports
18. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Chubb, RB
Original Pick: Jaire Alexander, CB (to Packers)
Nick Chubb has been the most productive back from this draft. His 3,557 yards, 28 touchdowns and 680 carries are best in the class. He's one of the few young backs in the league who can truly be a ground-and-pound bellcow rusher. He's already earned two trips to the Pro Bowl in his young career.
Seattle attempted to address its depleted running back room in the 2018 draft, but thus far, they appear to have bet on the wrong horse. Nick Chubb was available yet overlooked by the ground attack-starved Seahawks. Pete Carroll loves a heavy rushing game, and his best years came with Marshawn Lynch as his feature back. Chubb is the kind of powerhouse runner Carroll could work wonders with.
Photo Credit: USA Today
19. Dallas Cowboys: Tremaine Edmunds, LB
Original Pick: Leighton Vander Esch, LB
The top tier of linebackers in the 2018 draft is shaping up to be one of the best in recent history. Tremaine Edmunds had a lot of advocates calling him the best linebacker of the bunch, and he's excelled at every part of his job. As the middle linebacker for one of the league's best defenses, Edmunds carries a heavy load for the Bills. All he's done is shown out, to the tune of two Pro Bowl trips and the fourth most tackles of any 2018 prospect.
Dallas made a terrific choice with Leighton Vander Esch, as the Boise State product has been a stellar pro and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. However, Edmunds has been a notch better and more consistently great throughout his career.
Photo Credit: NY Post
20. Detroit Lions: Derwin James, S
Original Pick: Frank Ragnow, OL
Derwin James is a tricky player to place. One on hand, he made the Pro Bowl and was named to the All-Pro team as a rookie; on the other, he missed most of the last two seasons with major injuries. This redraft pick is made with the optimism that 2018 James returns in the ensuing seasons. James was one of the most lauded players heading into the draft, and his minor slide down the board confused many onlookers. When healthy, James has been as excellent as anticipated.
Safety was not a huge area of need or priority for the Lions, but a player of James' caliber is too tempting to pass up here, especially with all of the elite linemen off the board.
Photo Credit: ESPN
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Harold Landry, OLB
Original Pick: Billy Price, OL
The Bengals were well on the downward spiral by 2018, and the franchise was hurdling toward rebuild mode. They needed new faces everywhere and studs they could build around; that is where Harold Landry comes in. A smart, athletic outside linebacker, Landry brings a uniquely diverse skill set to the table. Since becoming a regular starter for the Titans, he's amassed 19 sacks, second most of any 2018 draftee. He's only missed one game in his career and his tackle totals have improved every year.
Cincinnati put together a surprisingly good draft in 2018, with edge rushers as a main priority. Harold Landry would be a surefire beast for the Bengals defense.
Photo Credit: NFL.com
22. Buffalo Bills: Roquan Smith, LB
Original Pick: Rashaan Evans (to Titans)
The run on linebackers continues with the first one taken in the original draft. Georgia seems to be in the business of regularly churning out NFL linebackers, and Smith was viewed as a guy with all the tools to patrol the center of a defense. While he hasn't "wowed" like some of his contemporaries, he has been a consistent player for the Bears, which is what earns him a first round redraft. His 253 solo tackles are second best in the class, and he's added a respectable 11 sacks.
Buffalo misses out on Tremaine Edmunds this go-round, but they fill the void the man considered his near-equal on draft day. The best linebacker debate typically revolved around the duo, and the Bills still come away from the draft with a franchise middle linebacker.
Photo Credit: ESPN
23. New England Patriots: Jaire Alexander, CB
Original Pick: Isaiah Wynn, OL
With the Packers taking J.C. Jackson a few picks earlier, the Patriots get a modicum of revenge by selecting Jaire Alexander. The second cornerback chosen in 2018, Jaire Alexander came into the league with the utmost expectations and pressure. He has steadily improved throughout his career, particularly as the go-to shutdown corner in Lambeau; he earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2020.
Defensive back may seem like an odd choice for the Patriots, as this was the season they sported the all-world secondary of Stephon Gilmore, the McCourty twins, Duron Harmon and Patrick Chung. However, most of those guys were deep into their careers and Alexander could sit under the biggest possible learning tree. This is a pick for the future.
Photo Credit: ESPN
24. Carolina Panthers: Donte Jackson, CB
Original Pick: DJ Moore, WR
This redraft is starting to feel like nothing but defensive backs and linebackers. Donte Jackson feels like a bit of a forgotten man, despite a solid career at LSU and standing third in this class in interceptions with 10. Playing for a middling Panthers franchise is never good for any players notoriety, but Jackson deserves a little more adulation for his play. Not only can he cover wide receivers with the best of them, but he's also in the top five in tackled among cornerbacks.
This pick is basically a swap for the Panthers. As great as the cornerback crop is this draft, they are being drafted at a brisk pace. 2018 produced a number of solid wideouts, and there would be plenty to pick from in the second round; Carolina should wait on receivers and go corner early.
Photo Credit: NBC Sports
25. Tennessee Titans: Jerome Baker, OLB
Original Pick: Hayden Hurst, TE (to Ravens)
One of the fun parts about doing these redrafts is getting to spotlight players most fans don't know. Meet Jerome Baker; despite playing at Ohio State, Mr. Baker came into the NFL with little fanfare--a third round selection by the Dolphins. Since heading to Miami, he has never missed a game and is one of only six players from this draft to tally more than 200 solo tackles in their careers. His 11.5 sacks are also sixth best in the class. Baker may not be a household name, but he is the kind of role player that is integral to the newly dominant Dolphins defense.
For the Titans, this pick dovetails into their 2018 draft strategy. The franchise invested its first two draft picks in linebackers.
Photo Credit: NFL
26. Atlanta Falcons: Saquon Barkley, RB
Original Pick: Calvin Ridley, WR
Finally, here he is. The most talked about non-quarterback in the draft, Saquon Barkley was the most exhilarating running back in college football since maybe Reggie Bush. Power, speed, burst and thighs like redwood trunks, he had all the tools to be a playmaker in the NFL. Through two seasons he was the best running back in this class and making a strong case for best rusher in the league. A 2020 injury halted that train and also illustrated why it is dangerous to draft a running back so early.
Top 10 may be too risky, but late in the first round is a good place to take a chance on an electrifying playmaker. It's easy to always pick a defensive player for the Falcons, but they needed new legs in the backfield, and pairing Barkley with Tevin Coleman would have created a dynamite 1-2 punch.
Photo Credit: PFF
27. New Orleans Saints: Sam Hubbard, DE
Original Pick: Rashaad Penny, RB (to Seahawks)
Another overlooked Bengals pick; that franchise really nailed the steals in this draft. Sam Hubbard is a guy who can do one job and do it very well--chase opposing quarterbacks. Despite never starting a game as a rookie, the third rounder out of Ohio State collected six sacks. He's since become a featured player on the Cincinnati defense and his 16.5 sacks are third best in the class. Hubbard has adapted with tweaks to the scheme and is dangerous playing as a traditional defensive end or outside linebacker.
New Orleans is the best drafting team in the league; they rarely miss and did well in 2018, but Hubbard would be an upgrade as a pass rusher.
Photo Credit: Sporting News
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Terrell Edmunds, S
Original Pick: Terrell Edmunds, S
Speaking of best drafting teams in the NFL, the Steelers struck gold again in 2018. The other Edmunds brother, who is four inches shorter and about 30 pounds lighter than his younger brother Tremaine, Terrell Edmunds has helped form an intimidating secondary in the Steel City. Edmunds, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Joe Haden and Steven Nelson may be the most ferocious defensive backfield in the NFL. Edmunds has been reliable, missing only one game, and ranks third among safeties in tackles.
Pittsburgh, as it often does, hit this one out of the park. They don't need to change a thing.
Photo Credit: New York Jets
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mark Andrews, TE
Original Pick: Taven Bryan, DT
There was a healthy helping of hype heaped on the 2018 tight end crop. At one point, Andrews was as praised as anyone, but for some reason fell all the way to the third round; the Ravens, another of those elite drafting teams, snagged him. Andrews fast became Lamar Jackson's favorite target, and his 20 receiving touchdowns are second best in the class. He is also fourth in the class in receiving yards; he is first among 2018 tight ends in all major receiving categories.
This is a hard detour from defensive tackle to tight end. However, the Jaguars actually fielded a pretty talented defense in 2018, but the offense was listless. Their leading receiver had 700 yards on the season. Mark Andrews would provide an instant spark.
Photo Credit: Los Angeles Rams
30. Minnesota Vikings: Brian O'Neill, OL
Original Pick: Mike Hughes, CB
This class had two tiers of linemen at the top: the elites like Quenton Nelson and Orlando Brown and the very good tier with players like Brian O'Neill. The Vikings drafted O'Neill with their second pick, and it wasn't too long until he asserted himself as a starter. He's played in 46 of 48 regular season games, starting 42 of them, plus two playoff games. Despite being a little undersized for an offensive tackle, listed at 297 pounds, O'Neill has excelled in run and pass blocking. Dalvin Cook is amazing, but he looks even better running behind guys like O'Neill.
For Minnesota, this is moving up a guy the franchise already had an eye on. The 2018 draft has not panned out too well for the Vikings at the moment, but O'Neill was the bright spot.
Photo Credit: ESPN
31. New England Patriots: Connor Williams, OL
Original Pick: Sony Michel, RB
Another of those lineman on that second tier, Connor Williams may not become a perennial Pro Bowl player like some of his Cowboys teammates, but he can be a guy who spends ten years clearing lanes for the offense and doing the unheralded dirty work. Originally listed as a tackle when he came out of the University of Texas, the Cowboys slid the relatively undersized Williams inside to left guard. His career got off to a slow start, but he definitively arrived in 2020. He started every game and played every single offensive snap for Dallas.
The Patriots are back on the board for a rare first round double dip. New England knows how to draft and develop lineman, and they would get a versatile specimen to work with in Williams.
Photo Credit: Yahoo Sports
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Calvin Ridley, WR
Original Pick: Lamar Jackson, QB (to Ravens)
Finally, a wide receiver comes off the board. It is still early and plenty of these guys could break out, but so far this crop of wideouts has been lackluster. Only three receivers have eclipsed the 2,000 receiving yard marker, and only one has more than 15 receiving touchdowns. That one is Calvin Ridley. He has improved every season, posting a career year with more than 1,300 yards in 2020. He has also hauled in more than seven touchdowns in each season. He continues to be overshadowed by Julio Jones in Atlanta, but Ridley is quietly compiling a terrific stat sheet.
The Eagles just can't seem to keep quality wide receivers on the field. They've churned through a lot of players, with injuries always hampering any progress. Ridley's talent and durability are the answer.
Photo Credit: Denver Post
* The draft order includes pre-draft trades, but trades made during the draft are not included.
* All stats are from ProFootballReference.com
* Stats are current as of the end of the 2020 season
* All-Pro designations mean AP First Team All-Pro