Just four teams remain alive in the hunt for Super Bowl LIX—the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC, and the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders in the NFC.

For three of those four teams, rookies played major roles in their teams making it this far. Xavier Worthy is Kansas City's leading wide receiver. Cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have been instrumental in the Eagles' top-ranked pass defense. The Commanders would be nowhere near the NFC Championship Game were it not for the heroics of quarterback Jayden Daniels.

It just goes to show the impact talented players can have in the NFL from the get-go.

But what if the 2024 NFL Draft hadn't played out the way it did? What if the Chicago Bears had taken Daniels instead of Caleb Williams? What if Marvin Harrison Jr. hadn't been the first wide receiver off the board. What if 14 players hadn't come off the board before a defender was drafted? How could that have impacted the NFL?

Those are the questions this column endeavors to answer—by re-drafting the first round of last year's draft. The picks are in the same order as April—including those that were dealt.

The players taken most assuredly are not.

1.01: Chicago Bears (from Carolina)

New Selection: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Original Selection: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

It doesn't take long for this re-draft to diverge from the original—and this is the most obvious selection of the lot.

Caleb Williams showed the occasional flash as a rookie, but Daniels has been nothing but flashes. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner was sixth in the NFL in completion percentage, threw for over 3,500 passing yards with 25 touchdowns against just nine interceptions and his QBR of 70.5 was higher than Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles. Daniels' 891 rushing yards led all NFC quarterbacks.

Veteran tight end Zach Ertz told reporters that he knew Daniels was the real deal from the moment he arrived in Washington.

"I was telling everyone that would listen how good he would be," Ertz said. "Just something got me really excited. I knew there would be some growing pains, but his ability to work and his humility to get better is what sets him apart."

In this do-over though, Daniels never makes it to the nation's capital. And maybe in this alternate universe, it would be the Bears who would still be playing.

1.02: Washington Commanders

New Selection: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Original Selection: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

This is a gut punch for the Washington Commanders—and the first real quandary of this re-draft.

An argument can be made that Drake Maye showed enough as a rookie to be drafted ahead of Williams. The latter admittedly struggled in Chicago—Williams ranked 24th among quarterbacks in passing yards per game and was 25th in passer rating—one slot behind Maye.

But Williams flashed the talent and improvisational ability at times that got him drafted first overall, and new Bears head coach Ben Johnson told reporters that he's confident Williams has the potential to be a quality starter in the NFL.

"The ability for him to fit the ball into tight windows, I think it's a rare thing to see," Johnson told FOX Sports. "He's fearless playing that position. He's got so much confidence being able to not only throw outside the numbers, but between the numbers, there's just a lot to work with right there."

Very few pundits (as in none) had Maye ranked ahead of Williams entering the 2024 draft.

We're not going to reverse that—tempting though it may be.

1.03: New England Patriots

New Selection: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Original Selection: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

And we have our first selection where history repeats itself.

Drake Maye's stats as a rookie didn't blow off any doors—2,276 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. But Maye showed more than a little ability to make plays with his legs, and it's worth noting that the skill-position talent around Maye may well have been the weakest in the entire NFL.

New (old) Patriots coordinator Josh McDaniels told reporters that he's confident he can develop Maye—it's just going to be a process.

"I always talk about it, they have a bucket," McDaniels said. "But when you take a young quarterback, it's more like a cup. You have to put some stuff in his cup, and when it gets to the top you have to stop. And then make sure that he has this and can do it well, and then when he's ready for more you can give him a bigger cup. Then, hopefully, he ends up with a bucket and you have a bunch of stuff in there that he can do well. But there's no shortcut to it, and I think knowing where the player's at is really important."

The Patriots need a quarterback. And Maye showed enough in 2024 to rate another shot at showing he can be that guy.

1.04: Arizona Cardinals

New Selection: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Original Selection: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

There was little question that the Arizona Cardinals would draft a wideout fourth overall in 2024. The team badly needed an alpha at the position, and there was a generational prospect available at the position in Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr.

Harrison wasn't terrible as a rookie, but some rookies made more of an immediate impact in the NFL. Despite playing most of the season with atrocious quarterbacks, Malik Nabers caught a rookie-record 109 passes for over 1,200 yards and seven scores. Those 109 grabs were also a Giants franchise record.

Teammate Isaiah Simmons was blown away by what he saw from Nabers in 2024.

"You learn to respect guys in this league when they're doing it on the field, and Malik has been doing that from the first day he got here," Simmons told reporters earlier this season. "Everybody should know just by watching him that Malik is going to be a very, very, very special player in this league for a long time. If this was the first game you've ever seen him, that'll tell you all you need to know. But this season, he's had four quarterbacks throwing him the ball, still got 1,000 yards, still got a reception record. The kid is just such a competitor, he doesn't want to do anything but win. And if he has anything to do with it, that'll come."

Now imagine what he could do with a better quarterback.

1.05: Los Angeles Chargers

New Selection: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Original Selection: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

This was a tough call. It's hard to find much to argue with where the Alt selection was concerned—the 6'9" 322-pounder stepped in from Day 1 at right tackle for a Chargers team who made the playoffs and was a solid starter.

But the Los Angeles Rams were a playoff team as well—in large part due to the pop that Jared Verse provided the Rams defense off the edge.

Verse only recorded 4.5 sacks in the regular season, but he surpassed 65 total tackles, logged 18 QB hits and 33 pressures on the way to being named to the Pro Bowl. He'll likely add Defensive Rookie of the Year honors soon enough.

Verse had two sacks in the Divisional Round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and after the game Verse told reporters he intends to make an even bigger impact for his team in Year 2.

"I don't want my teammates to feel like this again. I only want to look in their eyes and see anything but pure bliss and pure happiness. And I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen again," Verse said.

Alt was a fine player in 2024. But Verse has the look of a star in the making—at a position where the Chargers are headed for upheaval with Khalil Mack set to hit free agency and Joey Bosa a shell of his former self.

1.06: New York Giants

New Selection: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Original Selection: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

There's more than a little temptation to go quarterback here given that we now know that the Daniel Jones extension was a disaster.

OK, so we essentially always knew that. But regardless of that, the Giants desperately needed a No. 1 wide receiver heading into last season. They found one in Malik Nabers.

Now they have the opportunity to get another one in Brian Thomas Jr.

The 23rd pick last year, Smith quickly emerged as the alpha wideout in Jacksonville—despite "catching" wormburners from Mac Jones for a chunk of the season. No first-year receiver had more yards than Thomas' 1,282, he averaged almost 15 yards a catch and scored double-digit touchdowns.

As his first professional season concluded, Thomas told reporters that while he was proud of what he accomplished in 2024, he hopes that is just scratching the surface,

"I'm super proud of what I came out and did this season," Thomas said. "It doesn't stop now. I've just got to keep going and keep pushing."

Now the Giants just need a quarterback to throw him the ball.

1.07: Tennessee Titans

New Selection: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

Original Selection: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

The Tennessee Titans used their first pick in 2024 to build around quarterback Will Levis. That turned out to be a mistake—so now the team is going to use its first pick to start over at the position.

Nix won 10 games as a rookie, passing for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns with a passer rating of 93.3. Denver offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey told reporters the Broncos knew early on that they had found their quarterback of the future.

"We all came out of training camp knowing this guy was going to be special," McGlinchey said. "You joke about [how] rookies should be seen and not heard and all that, but he just showed up tough, smart, and I've said -- put together. And that's how he was all season."

This is the point where the re-draft "what-ifs" start piling up. With Nix under center, the Titans probably won't wind up with the first pick in 2025. But if the team did have that first pick and a quarterback already in hand, trading back becomes a lot more palatable for Tennessee—and the haul they could get from a QB-needy team eyeing Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward could go a long way toward making Tennessee a factor in the AFC South once again.

1.08: Atlanta Falcons

New Selection: Michael Penix, Jr., QB, Washington

Original Selection: Michael Penix, Jr., QB, Washington

The Atlanta Falcons were roasted in many circles after drafting Penix eighth overall in 2024. After all, the team had just handed veteran Kirk Cousins a four-year, $180 million contract.

As it happens, the Falcons knew what they were doing. Cousins fell apart as the season wore on, and while Penix and Atlanta came up short of the playoffs, Penix showed more than a little promise, including a 300-yard effort throwing the ball against the Carolina Panthers in the regular-season finale.

That game impressed Panthers head coach Dave Canales.

"He's a stud," Canales told reporters. "He's an accurate passer. He threw it down the field, hit some really explosive plays. He's got arm talent. He's got the right demeanor, the right finish and I'm looking forward to a lot of great battles against Michael Penix."

Is it a certainty that Penix is the guy who will lead the Falcons to their first playoff appearance since 2017? No.

But Penix showed enough in limited action for the Falcons to double down on the possibility that he could be the guy.

1.09: Chicago Bears

New Selection: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Original Selection: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The Bears drafted a wide receiver in 2024 to help build around Caleb Williams, but talented though he may be Odunze was well below veterans D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen in the passing-game pecking order last season.

The Bears also struggled along the offensive front—Chicago allowed a staggering 68 sacks (most in the NFL), with tackle Larry Borom allowing seven sacks in less than 350 snaps per Pro Football Focus and Darnell Wright giving up six of his own.

Joe Alt allowed six sacks as a rookie, but he was a top-20 tackle overall per PFF and helped anchor the line for a Chargers team that made the playoffs. Alt credited much of his rookie success to playing opposite Rashawn Slater in Los Angeles.

"It's taught me a ton," Alt told reporters. "Rashawn being able to have so much experience and being right there with me and being able to watch the film has been such a big help for me. It's allowed me to see what things in my game I need to work and what things I'm trying different that don't need to be added."

Alt wouldn't have Slater to learn from in the Windy City. But he's a quality starter at either tackle spot regardless of the color of his helmet.

1.10: Minnesota Vikings (from New York Jets)

New Selection: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

Original Selection: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

No one blinked when the Vikings drafted McCarthy—mostly because no one thought for a second that Sam Darnold would have the 2024 season he did.

That surprise season gives the Vikings options they didn't know they had back in April—like using their first pick to address a pass defense that allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game in the league in 2024.

DeJean went from a second-round pick with durability concerns to a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year. ESPN's Ben Solak believes that DeJean is the most impactful first-year defender in the NFL this year.

"The nickel defender in a Vic Fangio defense has historically been a seasoned veteran with tons of experience at different spots, such as Kareem Jackson or Jalen Ramsey. For DeJean to simply slide right into the role and create impact plays at the line of scrimmage, downfield in coverage and everywhere in between, is one of the most preposterous storylines of the season," Solak wrote. "DeJean is quick as a wink, a highly reliable tackler in space and an excellent communicator who immediately took control of the Eagles' defensive checks after recovering from a preseason hamstring injury. There aren't 10 slot defenders in the league I would take right now over DeJean."

That's exactly the type of player the Vikings defense needs—badly.

1.11: New York Jets (from Minnesota)

New Selection: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Original Selection: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Had the Jets selected a quarterback with the 11th overall pick a year ago, it likely would have broken Twitter. After all, the Jets had a (supposedly) healthy Aaron Rodgers. 2024 was going to be the year the Jets finally made some noise. Won some games.

Of course, the only noise made in New York last season was more boos from Jets fans. Rodgers was a shell of his former self. And now the Jets find themselves with a new head coach in Aaron Glenn and no clear plan at quarterback.

Enter Michigan's J.J. McCarthy.

Granted, if Rodgers decides to play again, the Jets are essentially stuck with him unless the team is willing to eat a massive cap hit. McCarthy has no shortage of question marks of his own—after tearing his ACL last summer, McCarthy's next NFL pass will be his first one.

But Glenn's rebuild in New York isn't going anywhere until the team has some kind of viable plan under center. And "Aaron Rodgers or bust" is a plan we've already seen play out.

Drafting McCarthy might not sit well with Rodgers. But it gives the Jets options.

And if it so infuriates Rodgers that he retires, so much the better.

1.12: Denver Broncos

New Selection: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Original Selection: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

This is the doomsday re-draft scenario for Sean Payton and the Broncos—a situation where the quarterback the Broncos so badly needed just isn't on the board anymore.

Once Payton stopped cursing, the smart play would be either a trade down or the best player available. And with imaginary trades off the table here, grabbing a player who instantly makes the Broncos better is the way to go.

Brock Bowers showed pretty plainly in Las Vegas last year that he's that sort of player.

Among tight ends last year, no player caught more passes (112) or had more yardage (1,154) than Bowers. The receptions were a rookie record at all positions. The yardage was a rookie record for tight ends.

Per Levi Edwards of the team's website, Raiders quarterback Aidan O' Connell said that the last thing Bowers looked like in 2024 was a rookie.

"He looks like a vet out there. He has that presence too," O'Connell said. "That's just kind of how he is. He's calm, he's chill. It's hard to get him to raise his voice over a couple decibels."

It's not the quarterback Payton wanted so badly. But it's a great value and an instant difference-maker who can take a ton of pressure off whoever he's playing with under center.

1.13: Las Vegas Raiders

New Selection: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Original Selection: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Losing out on Bowers by a single pick might be a tough pill to swallow for Raider Nation. But as consolation prizes go, Marvin Harrison's kid ain't a bad one.

That Harrison's 62 catches for 885 yards and eight scores was considered a disappointment speaks to how high expectations were for the 6'4" 205-pounder entering the NFL. Harrison wasn't just considered the best wideout prospect in his class by most pundits—he was regarded by many as the best player in the draft regardless of position.

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters that he knows Harrison may not have met expectations in Year 1. But he still sees Harrison as a star in the making.

"I thought he had a good year," Gannon said. "Coming in with the expectations that typically only get put on quarterbacks in the top three, I understand the expectation. He was a premier player for us. He's going to continue to be a premier player for us and he hasn't hit his ceiling yet. I look forward to the offseason that he's about to go through. I look forward to him getting back in the building, playing to the level that I want him to play, that you guys want him to play and that he wants to play most importantly. I know he is going to get there."

Harrison doesn't solve the Raiders' issues at quarterback. But it does give whatever quarterback the Raiders have a go-to wideout in the passing game.

1.14: New Orleans Saints

New Selection: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

Original Selection: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Let's be frank—the New Orleans Saints are a mess. The cap situation is a disaster. The quarterback situation is unsettled at best. There are holes on the roster all over the place.

Frankly, it's tempting to just slot Fuaga to the Saints again in this redraft—to not fix what isn't broken. The 6'6", 334-pounder had some struggles as a rookie—as first-year players at the position often do.

However, Olumuyiwa Fashanu of Penn State was ranked higher by Bleacher Report's Scouting Department last season, with Brandon Thorn writing that some seasoning against the run could make Fashanu an elite player at the position.

"Fashanu has high-end physical tools with rarely seen polish as a pass-protector that is counterbalanced with being more underdeveloped as a finisher in the run game," he said. "His ability to thrive on an island in pass protection right away with the tools, runway and flashes necessary to make improvements as a run-blocker indicates a franchise-caliber blind-side protector who can at least be average in the run game."

Fashanu didn't play as much as some of the other Round 1 tackles after being drafted 11th overall by the Jets. But in 534 snaps per Pro Football Focus, Fashanu surrendered just a single sack.

1.15: Indianapolis Colts

New Selection: Rome Odunze, Washington

Original Selection: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

In the 2024 draft, the Indianapolis Colts were the first team to draft a defensive player. UCLA edge-rusher Laiatu Latu was decent as a rookie, logging 32 tackles and four sacks. But as the season wore on, something became clear in Indianapolis—the team needs a go-to receiver.

Michael Pittman Jr. is an excellent chain-mover, but he's not a true No. 1 wideout. Neither are Alec Pierce or Josh Downs, who have flashed at times but been inconsistent.

Rome Odunze's 54 catches for 734 yards and three scores as a rookie aren't No. 1 receiver numbers. But former Bears interim coach Thomas Brown told reporters Odunze's modest numbers had more to do with scheme and targets than the player.

"Rome's been consistent since Day 1, the ball hasn't always found him throughout the year as far as his role, and the plays are from a progression standpoint," he said. "But when he's had opportunities to make plays, the guy constantly shows up. You talk about critical moments, fourth down calls, two-minute drives, winning one-on-one, he's a separator, has elite twitch, really good ball skills, and is a really detailed route runner. He's been good overall."

2025 is a put up or shut up year for Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. The team's offseason focus has to be putting the youngster in position to succeed.

Drafting Odunze helps that more than a project on the edge.

1.16: Seattle Seahawks

New Selection: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Original Selection: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

The Seattle Seahawks went the defensive line route in the first round of the 2024 draft. But Byron Murphy II of Texas was quiet as a rookie, and the same issue that has seemingly dogged Seattle for years was evident again in 2024.

The offensive line needs work. In fact, Ben Rolfe of Pro Football Network ranked the Seattle O-Line as the NFL's third-worst.

"On the season, Seattle allowed a 39.4% pressure rate (30th) and an 8.3% sack rate (24th). They struggled whether opponents blitzed or not, and their numbers all around leave much to be desired following plenty of investment in the line in recent years," Rolfe said. "The run blocking hasn't been better; in fact, it's arguably been worse. Seattle ranks third-from-last in RBYBC/rush (0.66) and 28th in RBWR. Based on these numbers, it's not a huge surprise that they struggled to consistently sustain a playoff push week over week and were ultimately eliminated in Week 17."

The interior of the line in Seattle is arguably the bigger weakness, but the Seahawks need help at tackle as well. J.C. Latham was far from flawless in Tennessee as a rookie, but he was the No. 1 ranked tackle prospect on more than a few draft boards and his combination of length, size and athleticism offers much in the way of long-term potential.

1.17: Minnesota Vikings (from Jacksonville)

New Selection: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Original Selection: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

It's not surprising that the Vikings spent a first-rounder on an edge-rusher in 2024—the team had lost star Danielle Hunter and had major questions at the position.

But as it turns out, the Vikes hit paydirt on a pair of edge-rushers in free agency in Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. With that hindsight knowledge, the Vikings can do exactly what the Philadelphia Eagles did in this year's draft—turn the pass defense from a weakness into a strength with a pair of solid picks.

Quinyon Mitchell hasn't made many big plays for the Eagles as a rookie—he didn't log an interception as a rookie. But that's partly due to the fact that Mitchell hasn't been thrown at a ton—he was targeted 75 times in the regular season, the same number as six-time Pro Bowler Darius Slay.

While speaking to reporters, safety Reed Blankenship said that Mitchell hasn't at all looked like a rookie on the field this year.

"He's just a mature player," Blankenship said. "You rarely see that in rookies now, and I don't have to worry about him. I just look at him, we communicate, and he's on board with anything that I have to say. He handles himself so mature, like a seasoned vet. He's doing a great job."

In 2023, the Eagles fielded the second-worst pass defense in the NFL. In 2024, they were first.

That kind of turnaround could mean huge things for the Vikings in 2025.

1.18: Cincinnati Bengals

New Selection: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Original Selection: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

This is a tricky spot for the Bengals. On one hand, Cincinnati's defense needs help just about everywhere. But the Bengals also (stunner) need help along an offensive front that was again among the NFL's worst last year.

Cincinnati attempted to address that line in Round 1 last year, and while Amarius Mims of Georgia had his moments, he also struggled with injuries and inconsistency. In this re-draft, there's arguably a better player available.

Taliese Fuaga was thrown into the fire as a rookie, playing 1,070 snaps in 2024 for the New Orleans Saints. It wasn't a flawless first season, but former Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was impressed by what he saw from the youngster in 2024.

"The most impressive thing was his start, just the way that he just handles the game," Kubiak told reporters. "He's a quiet guy that works hard, doesn't say a lot – and just works. (He) asks a lot of questions, he's texting his offensive line coach late at night, asking questions about looks he saw on film. So, the game is really important to him, and it's got to be important to you to be successful."

Taliese played left tackle in New Orleans, but he could easily move to the right side—or even kick inside to guard.

1.19: Los Angeles Rams

New Selection: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

Original Selection: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Losing out on Verse in this re-draft is a blow—he played a significant role in Verse winning the NFC West this season. But there's another edge-rusher available who can take some of the sting out Verse being drafted so much earlier.

Verse's teammate Braden Fiske (whose name you'll see again in this piece most likely) led all rookies with 8.5 sacks in the regular season. But among edge-rushers, it was Miami's Chop Robinson who topped the list with six.

Robinson started the season slowly. But as Adam Stites wrote for Dolphins Wire over the second half of the season, Robinson was one of the most prolific pass-rushers in the league.

"Robinson, 22, had a slow start to his rookie year with the Dolphins with zero sacks through the team's first seven games of the 2024 season," he said. "But in the half of the year, Robinson emerged as one of the NFL's most dangerous pass rushers. Between Weeks 10 and 18, Robinson racked up 42 quarterback pressures. That was tied with the Browns' Myles Garrett for second most in the NFL behind only the Cowboys' Micah Parsons. Robinson finished the season with six sacks and eight tackles for loss."

Verse may well win Defensive Rookie of the Year, but Robinson has a bright future ahead of him as well.

1.20: Pittsburgh Steelers

New Selection: Zach Frazier, OG/C, West Virginia

Original Selection: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington

The Pittsburgh Steelers have seemingly been tying to overhaul the offensive line forever. Pittsburgh's first two picks in last year's draft were offensive linemen, and results were, well—mixed.

First-rounder Troy Fautanu played in all of one game as a rookie before a dislocated kneecap ended his season. But second-rounder Zach Frazier rapidly developed into a quality starter in the middle of the offensive line. Over 975 snaps, Frazier allowed just a single sack. He graded out sixth among all centers at Pro Football Focus.

Frazier has earned multiple all-rookie honors, including from ESPN's Ben Solak.

"Frazier is exactly what teams want at the pivot. He identifies defenses well, looks for work in pass protection and has quick hands and feet," Solak wrote. "Frazier is also a relentless finisher and a high-effort player, which is a prerequisite for playing offensive line in Pittsburgh and a great sign for his future as the leader of that line. He had more successful reps against the Ravens' nasty defensive tackle room than any other center this season.

Sometimes, a player just fills a need and fits a scheme so well that it becomes hard to imagine that guy playing somewhere else. So, while there are some other avenues the Steelers could go down here, hanging onto the guy who has become an anchor of the offensive front is worth drafting Frazier a round earlier.

1.21: Miami Dolphins

New Selection: Dominick Puni, OG, Kansas

Original Selection: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

We're about to hit a run of teams who got excellent value in the 20s of the 2024 NFL Draft. But those teams have no choice but to make new selections—the players they originally drafted are off the board.

There are several directions that make sense for the Dolphins here. The team needs help in the defensive backfield. There's a reason why Miami originally took Chop Robinson here—the edge is an issue. The defensive line. Perhaps even wide receiver.

But where need is concerned, there is one position that towers above the others in Miami.

The team's guard play last season was abysmal.

A third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, Dominick Puni's play was anything but abysmal in 2024—he allowed three sacks in 1,070 snaps and was PFF's 11th-ranked guard for the season.

Puni played so well that Matt Barrows of the Athletic wrote the 6'5", 320-pounder should receive the team's Bobb McKittrick Award, which goes to, "the offensive lineman who best represents courage, intensity and sacrifice."

"This award has never gone to a rookie since it was established in 1981. Puni, however, deserves consideration," Barrows said. "He's not only been one of the 49ers' most consistent linemen, he's been among the top interior linemen in the league."

He'd be a welcome addition to a Dolphins line that has to improve markedly for Miami to have a shot at contending next season.

1.22: Philadelphia Eagles

New Selection: Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky

Original Selection: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

For the Philadelphia Eagles, losing both Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell in this re-draft would be nothing short of devastating. That duo's impact on turning one of the worst pass defenses in the league into one of the best in just one season cannot be overstated.

There's a reason why the Eagles used those first two picks on corners. But while DeJean is widely regarded as the No. 1 rookie corner, there's another rookie more highly-ranked than Mitchell at the position who is still there for the taking.

A third-round pick of the Giants, Andru Phillips quickly emerged as a starter for Big Blue—and one of the team's bright spots defensively. Giants head coach Brian Daboll told reporters that Phillips' physicality in the slot stood out this season.

"He's a physical player. I think he's shown that," head coach Brian Daboll said. "Where he plays in particular, he's part of a lot of run fits. He's an aggressive tackler and continues to improve. He definitely has a lot of upside."

Phillips eclipsed 70 total tackles and forced a pair of fumbles, but he wasn't just a tackler—Phillips gave up less than 9.5 yards per completion and had a respectable passer rating against of 91.8.

Phillips might not be DeJean. But he's a quality nickel cornerback.

And in this scenario, the Iggles are right back to needing one—badly.

1.23: Jacksonville Jaguars (from Minnesota via Houston and Cleveland)

New Selection: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

Original Selection: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

The Jaguars are another team that has been done dusty in this NFL redraft. Before, the team grabbed arguably the best receiver in this draft class outside the top 20. Now, it's scramble mode—and a different type of wideout.

However, just because Ladd McConkey might not have the explosiveness Brian Thomas Jr. possesses doesn't mean he isn't an excellent pass catcher in his own right. McConkey wasted little time becoming Justin Herbert's top target in the Chargers' passing game—for the season McConkey tallied 82 catches for 1,149 yards and seven scores.

Herbert told reporters that McConkey was a key part of LA's run to the playoffs in 2024.

"He's such a tough player. He's a playmaker and finds ways to get open," Herbert said. "He's done such a great job of battling injuries and being out there for us. He's a guy we trust on third down. Anytime we go out there, he's a threat. All I have to do is get him the ball and he makes my job so much easier."

Even if you don't feel that McConkey is a talent on par with Thomas, there's no arguing that he'd be a boost for Trevor Lawrence and a Jaguars offense that can use all the skill-position help it can get.

1.24: Detroit Lions (from Dallas)

New Selection: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

Original Selection: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

In the original 2024 draft, the Lions went the cornerback route with Alabama's Terrion Arnold, who had his moments as a rookie. But the season-ending injury suffered by edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson was an absolute killer for the Lions this year.

Adding some reinforcements on the edge makes sense here.

Back in April, UCLA's Laiatu Latu was the first defensive player drafted—a 6'5", 265-pounder who had some medical concerns but a boatload of potential.

Latu managed just four sacks as a rookie, but it's hardly unusual for rookie pass-rushers to scuffle a bit entering the league. While addressing the media, former Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley lauded Latu's progress as his first season progressed.

"He's really evolved to where not only is he a rusher, he can rush the passer, but he's got really good football instincts," Bradley said. "His chase and run ability, the effort that he shows on tape, all those things are putting him in a position to make some big plays for us."

Laiatu earned PFWA All-Rookie honors this year—and getting a promising player at a premium position this late in Round 1 is a good get for a Lions team with its eyes squarely on a Super Bowl trip next season.

1.25 Green Bay Packers

New Selection: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M

Original Selection: Jordan Morgan, OT, Alabama

This is another matter of a team re-drafting a player that would up on the team anyway—just later in the draft.

But the reality is that if we extended this exercise out past Round 1, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper wouldn't make it to pick No. 45, where the Pack originally drafted him.

Cooper's 87 total tackles and 3.5 sacks don't tell the whole story with the young linebacker—as the season wore on, Cooper became a more and more important part of the Packers defense. Whether it was rushing the passer, stuffing the run or even in coverage, Cooper became a vital cog in the middle of Green Bay's defense.

Cooper was not a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year—a slight that didn't sit well with Bill Huber of SI.

"(Jared) Verse had 28 stops on runnning plays (but played 135 more run-defending snaps). Cooper had 21 – as many as (Braden) Fiske (12), (Chop) Robinson (five), (Quinyon) Mitchell (two) and (Cooper) DeJean (two) combined," he said. "Cooper's production was historic. His 13 TFLs were the most by an off-the-ball rookie linebacker since Tampa Bay's Lavonte David had 20 in 2012. He was the only rookie this season with at least three sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, and just the fourth since 2000. And he was the only player since 2000, regardless of experience, with 12-plus tackles for losses and 10-plus tackles on special teams."

Green Bay can't afford to throw that kind of player back into the pool.

1.26: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

New Selection: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

Original Selection: Graham Barton, C, Duke

It's tempting here to just go with the player the Buccaneers originally drafted—center Graham Barton played over 1,000 snaps for Tampa in 2024, and while the youngster committed a whopping 13 penalties per Pro Football Focus he also allowed just a single sack.

But Tampa didn't have an edge-rusher hit the five-sack mark last season—the Bucs need to add pop to the pass rush.

Dallas Turner didn't do a ton of that as a rookie—just three sacks. But those modest stats had more to do with Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel both having outstanding seasons for the Vikings than any struggles Turner had when he did get on-field reps.

While speaking to reporters, Minnesota linebacker Blake Cashman said that it's most assuredly not a matter of talent with the youngster—when the reps come, so will the production.

"I know from the outside, you can sit there and say he should be playing more," Cashman said. "Coaches make their decisions, and they have a reason. But he's one of the most talented players on this team. He's going to be a monster and a headache for the opponents."

Center isn't a premium position. Edge-rusher is. Enough said.

1.27: Arizona Cardinals

New Selection: Braden Fiske, DL, Florida State

Original Selection: Darius Robinson, DL, Missouri

We'll stay on the defensive line with this pick in this 2024 NFL re-draft. But we'll go with a player who was far more productive—for a division rival, no less.

Braden Fiske's rookie season with the Los Angeles Rams wasn't flawless—his run defense remains a work in progress. But there wasn't a first-year player in the league who was more effective rushing the passer—Fiske's 8.5 sacks led all rookies.

Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula told reporters that Fiske consistently progressed throughout a season that ended with the 6'4", 291-pounder being named a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

"Fiske is a stud, man," Shula said. "He's getting better and better on those early downs and then when it comes into those pass-rushing situations, he has the ability to win quick … he's the guy that always hustle and is always running to the ball."

The Cardinals could have drafted Fiske back in April. Instead, they chose Robinson, who had one sack in six games after missing most of his first season with a calf injury.

This do-over affords the team an opportunity to rectify that mistake.

1.28: Kansas City Chiefs (from Buffalo)

New Selection: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

Original Selection: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

The Kansas City Chiefs traded up in last year's draft to select Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who was one of draft season's biggest risers last year after the 5'11" 165-pounder set a new 40-yard-dash record at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Given that Worthy led all Chiefs wide receivers in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches as a rookie, there's little reason to change that pick.

Granted, it hasn't been a flawless first season for Worthy. There have been drops. Multiple occasions where he couldn't get both feet in on a long sideline throw. But there has also been more than one occasion where Worthy showed off the speed that makes him a threat to score every time he touches the ball.

While speaking to reporters, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid touted the improvement Worthy has made as the season has worn on.

"He's gotten better every week," Reid said. "Pat's [Mahomes] more familiar with him, he's more familiar with the offense, and what Pat expects from him. Connor's [Embree, receivers coach] done a nice job of spending time with him to make sure he's got all the different looks. The main thing is he's wired the way where he wants to be good and that's a big part of it, he just wants to [not] let his ego get in the way or any of that. He's got good teachers, you're in a room with eight [Hopkins], nine [Smith-Schuster], and 84 [Justin Watson], those guys have all played a lot of football and they're willing to share. So that's a heck of a room to be in."

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

1.29: Dallas Cowboys (from Detroit)

New Selection: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Original Selection: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Frankly, it's tempting to slot Tampa running back Bucky Irving to the Cowboys here. Irving topped 1,500 total yards as a rookie, and with all due respect to Rico Dowdle Irving would be a substantial upgrade.

But NFL teams don't use first-rounders on running backs very often, and the Cowboys' selection of Guyton shows that Dallas was looking to get better on the offensive line in the 2024 draft.

Granted, Amarius Mims had some struggles as a rookie with the Cincinnati Bengals. But that's to be expected from first-year tackles. Mims also held his own against some of the best edge-rushers in the NFL, and he told reporters he learned a lot from his first professional season.

"I try to carry myself well," he said. "I try to act older than my age. Just being in the situation where I had to come in. At first, Trent (Brown) was here. Once he got hurt, I ended up filling his role as the starter. You have to have the attitude of a starter, whether you're a rookie or whether you're not. I had a good guy to watch in Trent being a guy who won a Super Bowl, been All Pro. He knows what it takes. I had big shoes to fill. I'm trying to get better every day."

Guyton may well become a quality NFL tackle at some point in his career.

But at this point, Mims is the better player.

1.30: Baltimore Ravens

New Selection: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Original Selection: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

There's an argument for a couple of players in this spot—including a different cornerback.

But sometimes the wisest course of action is to just leave well enough alone—and that's the case here with cornerback Nate Wiggins.

Wiggins was solid for the Ravens as a rookie—in 15 games (including six starts), Wiggins allowed just half the passes thrown in his direction to be completed, with a passer rating against of just 66.7.

While addressing the media, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said that he expects Wiggins to be that much better in 2025 with a season of games and full NFL offseason under his belt.

"Eventually, how far he develops is really going to be up to him," DeCosta said. "His future is unlimited, because he can do some things that are just very unusual and unique at his position. I can't wait to see what a good offseason does for him. Everything is fast forward, full speed ahead with him. He had a good year, [and] he can be great next year, but it's going to be up to him."

The Ravens don't appear to have any second thoughts about drafting Wiggins.

So, there's no reason we should, either.

1.31: San Francisco 49ers

New Selection: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida

Original Selection: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida

This is a hard pick to make, if only because we really don't yet know what Ricky Pearsall will be in the NFL yet. It's hard to accurately gauge a player's season when it begins with a gunshot wound.

Pearsall was quiet for much of the season, but a strong finish to the 2024 season offers a measure of optimism moving forward. The youngster told reporters that he's used all the adversity from his first season to learn and grow—and as fuel for 2025.

"There were a lot of highs and lows and a lot of things that I have to learn from," he said. "That's just the player I am though. I receive those coaching points on the things I didn't do as good of a job on and go out there and fix those things. When I got drafted, I told Mr. Lynch that I'm a workhorse. I'm always going to work on my craft and get better and be myself."

Over his last two games, Pearsall caught 14 passes for 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns, showing an ability to be a real threat after the catch.

With Deebo Samuel's future with the Niners cloudy at best, the Niners need a guy who can do damage over the middle. Be Deebo 2.0.

It's why the Niners drafted Pearsall in the first place.

No need to reverse course just yet.

1.32: Carolina Panthers (from Kansas City via Buffalo)

New Selection: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

Original Selection: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina

It's not surprising that the Panthers traded back into Round 1 last year to grab a wide receiver. Veteran Adam Thielen isn't getting any younger, and quarterback Bryce Young needs a go-to wideout. A long-term No. 1 wideout.

The Panthers just picked the wrong guy.

Granted, Keon Coleman's first season in Buffalo has been underwhelming—57 targets, 29 receptions, 556 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games. But dating all the way back to before last year's draft, Bleacher Report's Derrik Klassen wrote that Coleman has all the ingredients to be the No. 1 wideout on the boundary for an NFL team.

"His raw blend of size and speed is threatening enough," Klassen said, "nevermind that Coleman also has a little more wiggle to him than most 210-plus-pound receivers. For teams looking for a top target outside the numbers, he fits the bill. Coleman's physicality and ball skills give him a high floor, and he has just enough pop down the field and with the ball in his hands to be a real difference-maker."

Over the second half of last season, Young showed some real signs of growth as a passer.

Improved receiver play can only help the chances Young's third season is his best.