It has been over two years since the 2018 NFL Draft took place. Looking back at it now, the class had about 10 players that we now consider to be elite NFL starters. Though the class was not very deep, the first round did have some big names. Now that we know how each player has performed in the NFL, if we were to go back in time to the 2018 Draft, who would be picked?
2018 NFL Draft Do-Over: Part 1
Re-Drafting the First Round of the 2018 NFL Draft
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Denzel Ward, CB
Original Pick: Derwin James, SS
The Chargers got lucky to get their hands on Derwin James last time around, but this time he doesn’t fall that far. However, they still land a solid corner in Denzel Ward. Ward is a fast, elusive corner with great ball skills who can be a solid number one corner on any team. The Chargers patch up their secondary with a shutdown corner.
18. Green Bay Packers – Mark Andrews, TE
Original Pick: Jaire Alexander, CB
Although they can’t get their hands on Alexander this time around, Mark Andrews gives Aaron Rodgers another weapon to throw to. A trustworthy tight end is appreciated by all quarterbacks, so giving him a Mark Andrews to throw to helps them strengthen their offense and contend for a Super Bowl in the near future.
19. Dallas Cowboys – Jessie Bates, FS
Original Pick: Leighton Vander-Esch, LB
Jessie Bates has quietly been one of the best safeties in the league, and Dallas could use that on their struggling defense. Though Vander-Esch was a good pick, Bates suits their needs more and is more durable.
20. Detroit Lions – Leighton Vander-Esch, LB
Original Pick: Frank Ragnow, C
The Lions’ defense is one of the worst in the NFL, and drafting Leighton Vander-Esch would help with that. Though he struggles with durability issues, he would still help out with their struggling defense when he is healthy and support them in their rebuild.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Mike McGlinchey, OT
Original Pick: Billy Price, C
The Bengals need help on the offensive line desperately, and if Mike McGlinchey falls to them then they have to take that up. He is a very solid tackle who can help them in run blocking and in pass protection.
22. Tennessee Titans – Tremaine Edmunds, LB
Original Pick: Rashaan Evans, LB
With Tremaine Edmunds falling this far, the Titans can’t help themselves and take him. He is a great player who can help sure up the middle of their defense, particularly their run defense.
23. New England Patriots – D.J. Moore, WR
Original Pick: Isaiah Wynn, OT
The Patriots could use another receiver to go with Edelman and Gronkowski, who they had back then. Tom Brady would have been ecstatic to have all these weapons, and they would have had another weapon to win the Super Bowl with.
24. Carolina Panthers – Dallas Goedert, TE
Original Pick: D.J. Moore, WR
Since DJ Moore went to the Patriots this time around, the Panthers still get a good weapon in Dallas Goedert. Goedert is a great blocker and also serves as a great receiving threat. All in all, he would be a great weapon for the Panthers to have.
25. Baltimore Ravens – DJ Chark, WR
Original Pick: Hayden Hurst, TE
DJ Chark has been one of the best young receivers in the league, and the Ravens are in desperate need of a receiver who can create separation. Although they don’t get Lamar Jackson this time around, they still get a weapon that can help out whoever they would end up playing at quarterback.
26. Atlanta Falcons – Roquan Smith, LB
Original Pick: Calvin Ridley, WR
Ridley was taken earlier, so the Falcons help out their weak defense by taking Roquan Smith, who has been a solid pass rusher in Chicago. They fix up their struggling defense and get better.
27. Seattle Seahawks – Ronald Jones, RB
Original Pick: Rashaad Penny, RB
Rashaad Penny was not what they thought he would be, so the Seahawks fix their running game with Ronald Jones, who has been a great back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He fixes the hole they wanted to fill with Penny and makes their offense better, by giving Russell Wilson the run game he needs.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers – Donte Jackson, CB
Original Pick: Terrell Edmunds, SS
Terrell Edmunds has not been good for the Steelers at all. Instead, they get Donte Jackson, one of the fastest corners in the league, to help them on defense as a shutdown corner.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars – Vita Vea, DT
Original Pick: Taven Bryan, DT
Since Vea falls to them this time around, they take him. Vita Vea is a great player and adding him to their D Line along with Calais Campbell helps them out big time.
30. Minnesota Vikings – Da’Ron Payne, DT
Original Pick: Mike Hughes, CB
The Vikings take Payne since he fell to them this time around. He helps out their defensive line and strengthens up their defense even more.
31. New England Patriots – Phillip Lindsay, RB
Original Pick: Sony Michel, RB
Philip Lindsay went undrafted in the 2018 draft, but the Patriots take him over Michel this time around. They shore up their running game and make their offense even stronger.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – James Washington, WR
Original Pick: Traded to Ravens, Selected Lamar Jackson, QB
The Eagles are notorious for drafting bad WRs, but James Washington is a great player. He is able to go up and get 50/50 balls very effectively and would serve as a great target for Carson Wentz to throw to, back and healthy.
2018 NFL Draft Do-Over: Part 1
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