Re-Drafting The First 10 Picks Of The 2021 NFL Draft

After just one year, the 2021 NFL Draft already looks poised to go down as one of the best of the 21st century. This draft had it all: Young phenom quarterbacks, explosive pass-catchers and Pro Bowl-level defensive backs.

If the 10 teams who picked in the top 10 one year ago were to get a do-over, how would the draft play out? Here is a re-draft of the top 10 selections from the 2021 Draft.

10 1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence

Trevor Lawrence had a miserable rookie year for the Jaguars, but we can't fault him here. Urban Meyer wasn't suited for the NFL level. The offensive line was a mess, and Lawrence didn't have any Pro Bowl-level playmakers outside of James Robinson at his disposal.

Jacksonville wouldn't change this pick even with a mulligan. Lawrence was hyped as a generational quarterback for a reason, and he'll develop as one in relatively short time.

9 2. New York Jets: Mac Jones

mac-jones-nfl-patriots — Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Growing pains were expected for quarterback Zach Wilson, whom the New York Jets drafted second overall. He's got plenty of time to turn it around, but in this exercise, we have GM Joe Douglas going with the safer pick.

Mac Jones fell 15th overall to the New England Patriots, yet he was far-and-away the best QB in this class last season. Jones' poise, confidence and ability to protect the football with smart decision-making would be a blessing for the Jets. In a re-draft, New York would pull off a double-whammy by preventing the arch-rival Patriots from finding their successor to Tom Brady.

8 3. San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance

Sorry if this is predictable, but why should the 49ers regret acquiring Trey Lance? They just went to the NFC Championship game with an average-not-great quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo.

Lance's incredible dual-threat game should mesh well in Kyle Shanahan's rush-first offense. He is set up nicely with Elijah Mitchell, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams rounding out the offense. No reason to think the 49ers would want to switch this pick if they could.

7 4. Atlanta Falcons: Ja'Marr Chase

Kyle Pitts had a phenomenal rookie year for the Atlanta Falcons. But with Calvin Ridley's future as a Falcon in question, Atlanta would probably want Ja'Marr Chase as their new go-to playmaker on offense.

Chase is coming off the best rookie season ever for a wideout, notching 81 receptions for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. He and Joe Burrow nearly led the Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl championship in their first season together. Imagine what offensive guru head coach Arthur Smith would do with Chase and Ryan together?

Chase is already a top-three receiver in the league. It'd be a tough call for Atlanta, but we have them taking Chase over Pitts here.

6 5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell

The Bengals will never regret taking Ja'Marr Chase with the No. 5 selection. But he's not available in this re-draft, so the Bengals decide to address an organizational need instead. Countless fans and pundits wanted Cincinnati to take Penei Sewell here.

The Oregon offensive tackle, who went seventh overall to the Detroit Lions, was widely viewed as the best offensive line prospect in years. Including the postseason, Burrow was sacked a ridiculous 70 times. Sewell alone would change the dynamic of that o-line and supply Cincinnati with a franchise building block for the next decade-plus.

5 6. Miami Dolphins: Kyle Pitts

Not that the Dolphins regret taking Jaylen Waddle (104 catches, 1,015 yards, six touchdowns) sixth overall. But with Kyle Pitts available in this exercise, GM Chris Grier would have a tough time passing him up.

Miami already has DeVante Parker at receiver. With Mike Gesicki likely headed to free agency, the Dolphins have a void at tight end. Pitts, one of the most explosive pass-catching prospects of this generation, would be the pick. He would change the whole offensive playbook just a little more than Waddle.

4 7. Detroit Lions: Micah Parsons

Head coach Dan Campbell was memorably thrilled when Penei Sewell fell to the Lions at No. 7 overall, but they don't have the option to take him in the re-draft. So it's on to the "best player available" mentality.

Micah Parsons, the Defensive Rookie of the Year, was by far the NFL's best rookie of 2021. He posted 13 sacks, three forced fumbles and 47 quarterback pressures. Detroit has a promising young corner in Jeff Okudah (the No. 3 selection of 2020) on defense. Adding Parsons to the fold would take this defense to another level.

3 8. Carolina Panthers: Zach Wilson

The Panthers drafted Jaycee Horn with the No. 8 selection. He has the ability to be a game-changer in that defense, but Horn was unfortunately limited to three games as a rookie. Head coach Matt Rhule knows his job is on the line entering 2022, and with no long-term QB option in sight, he goes with Zach Wilson in a re-draft.

Wilson had a forgettable rookie year with the Jets, but maybe he shines more here in Carolina. He'd have a Pro Bowl-caliber wideout in D.J. Moore, deep threat Robby Anderson and do-it-all running back Christian McCaffrey. The Panthers would be wise to take a chance on the best QB available in a re-draft, which would be Wilson in this case.

2 9. Denver Broncos: Justin Fields

The Broncos surely aren't regretting using the No. 9 selection on Patrick Surtain, who flourished as one of the NFL's elite cover corners last year. But the Broncos simply lack a long-term option at the game's most important position.

Many expected them to go with a quarterback in this spot a year ago. Justin Fields greatly struggled as a rookie for the Chicago Bears, but a deep set of playmakers in Denver (Javonte Williams, Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton) could have helped the Ohio State product unlock his potential right away.

1 10. Philadelphia Eagles: DeVonta Smith

No need to change the Eagles' original selection here. The 2020 Heisman Trophy winner was a grade-A fit in Philadelphia's rebuilt offense, forming excellent chemistry with Jalen Hurts.

DeVonta Smith led Philly in every major receiving category, finishing with 64 catches for 916 yards and five touchdowns. Receiver was a position of need for Philly, so why change this pick?