The 2016 NFL Draft featured several elite players. This draft was the only one in the 2010s decade in which the first seven picks of the draft all made a Pro Bowl at some point in their career. The interesting thing about the 2016 draft is that there were only 31 first round picks, due to the New England Patriots being forced to forfeit their first round pick because of Deflategate.
Hypothetically, if the NFL were to go back in time and “re-draft” all the players selected in the 2016 draft, how would it play out? This does not take into account the team’s needs at the time; simply the value of the player and his performance in the National Football League.
(Note: Quarterbacks are more important than every other position, so although one player may be a better overall NFL player than a quarterback, quarterback is the most valuable position in football therefore he would be worth more in this re-draft.)
Let’s get right into it! This article will include Picks 1-16. Picks 17-31 can be found here.
2016 NFL Draft Do-Over
1. Los Angeles [St. Louis] Rams – Dak Prescott, QB
Original Pick: Jared Goff, QB
Many people hate on Dak Prescott, but the truth of the matter is he is an elite, top-tier quarterback. Prescott can make almost every throw you ask him to and is durable, strong, and can take off and run for good measure. He is all-around a great athlete and would be great for the Rams to have as their franchise quarterback of the future.
2. Philadelphia Eagles – Tyreek Hill, WR
Original Pick: Carson Wentz, QB
Carson Wentz was definitely a good pick for the Eagles, but he only played well for them for a few years. Tyreek Hill is an absolute monster of a player, and is arguably the scariest player in the league. He somehow fell to the sixth round the first time around, but this time the current top five receiver ends up in Philly.
3. Los Angeles [San Diego] Chargers – Joey Bosa, EDGE
Original Pick: Joey Bosa, DE
The Chargers hit on this pick big time. Joey Bosa is one of the best pass rushers in the league period, and he continues to devastate offensive linemen week after week. He is an all-around amazing player and the Chargers make the same pick to get him back.
4. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Thomas, WR
Original Pick: Ezekiel Elliott, RB
Imagine Amari Cooper and Michael Thomas on the same offense… yikes. Two of the best receivers in the league and a couple of the top route runners this league has. The Cowboys would not have Prescott, but whoever they end up with at quarterback would be ecstatic to have this monster of a player.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – DeForest Buckner, DT
Original Pick: Jalen Ramsey, CB
DeForest Buckner is absolutely incredible. He has been underrated for several years past but is finally getting some recognition in Indianapolis this year. He pushes 300-pound linemen around like peewee football players. Opposing quarterbacks are always watching out for this man as he is an absolute monster.
6. Baltimore Ravens – Derrick Henry, RB
Original Pick: Ronnie Stanley, OT
Although Ronnie Stanley was a great pick, he has severe durability issues. Instead, the Ravens get a player who is a top 3 running back in the league currently. Henry is a monster with his size, strength, and inhuman speed paired with those traits. Imagine the 2019 Ravens rushing offense with Henry at the helm over Mark Ingram… yikes.
7. San Francisco 49ers – Jalen Ramsey, CB
Original Pick: DeForest Bucker, DT
Jalen Ramsey is arguably the best cornerback in football, and since the 49ers can’t get D-Buck this time around, they get him. Although guys like Jaire Alexander, Stephon Gilmore, Marlon Humphrey, and others are in the mix for that top corner position, Ramsey is definitely a contender. Pairing him with future Hall of Famer Richard Sherman would be a lethal combination.
8. Tennessee Titans – Chris Jones, DT
Original Pick: Jack Conklin, OT
Personally, I have never really been a fan of Chris Jones’s. He is a great pass rusher, no doubt, but has never been anything special as a run stopper. That being said, he is still undoubtedly an elite NFL player, and the Titans defensive line would benefit greatly from having him in their lineup.
9. Chicago Bears – Carson Wentz, QB
Original Pick: Leonard Floyd, LB
Although this draft is supposed to be blind of team’s needs, we will make an exception here. Carson Wentz is a solid player, and the Bears’ only real hole is at QB and on the Offensive line. Wentz helps them contend, with help at the position they so desperately. need. This would be a great fit and Carson would likely flourish with guys like Allen Robinson to throw the football to.
10. New York Giants – Ronnie Stanley, OT
Original Pick: Eli Apple, CB
Ronnie Stanley is arguably the best tackle in the NFL. Although he struggles with injury, he is still a great player for them, and would help them greatly on the offensive line which is one of their biggest weaknesses. Protecting Eli Manning‘s, and soon Daniel Jones‘s blindside is a great pick for them.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Justin Simmons, S
Original Pick: Vernon Hargreaves, CB
Justin Simmons is one of the top safeties in the league. He is elite in coverage, and has overall been a very great player for the Denver Broncos. The Bucs grab him to give them help in the secondary, and he can make an instant impact.
12. New Orleans Saints – Ezekiel Elliott, RB
Original Pick: Sheldon Rankins, DT
Elliott regressed significantly in the 2020 season, but one down year can’t discount what this beast has done throughout his career. He is overall one of the best running backs in this league. A combination of power, speed, agility, and more, he has everything you could possibly want in a running back.
13. Miami Dolphins – Joe Thuney, OG
Original Pick: Laremy Tunsil, OT
The Dolphins took Tunsil with their last pick, but we all know how that went. So this time, they get a great interior offensive lineman to help them in both pass protection and in run blocking. Thuney has been an excellent player in New England, so Miami snatches him up over Tunsil this time around.
14. Las Vegas [Oakland] Raiders – Laremy Tunsil, OT
Original Pick: Karl Joseph, S
Since the Dolphins passed up on Tunsil, the Raiders would be happy to take him. Putting him on an already solid offensive line would help them out greatly. This would be a solid pick for them, as the number of “elite” players begins to go down.
15. Cleveland Browns – Kevin Byard, S
Original Pick: Corey Coleman, WR
The Browns have struggled on defense for years, and getting a great safety to help out at the top of their defense is the way to go for them. Kevin Byard has been a great asset for the Tennesee Titans, and Cleveland benefits from him greatly in their 2020 playoff contention.
16. Detroit Lions – Xavien Howard, CB
Original Pick: Taylor Decker, OT
Xavien Howard has quietly been a very good cornerback down in Miami. The Lions could use some help in the secondary, and grabbing Howard would be a great way to do that; a shutdown corner to shadow opposing No. 1 receivers.
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