2019 NFL Draft: Re-doing all 32 first-round picks

Former NFL scout Matt Williamson writes about the league from an X's and O's perspective.

Let’s pretend we can toss all rookies back into the draft pool and re-do the 2019 first round based on what we know now. For this exercise, we maintain the original draft order; trades that were made are not factored in. (Hopefully your head is not on a swivel like Sam Darnold's was Monday night.) We know weaknesses of each team better now than we did in April and have accounted for injuries. Where do I pick Gardner Minshew? Read on! 

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1. ARIZONA: Original: Kyler Murray, QB | New: Murray

Murray, the Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma, hasn’t been perfect, but the Cardinals (3-3-1) are building something around his unique talents. And hey, they are actually winning games!

2. SAN FRANCISCO: Original: Nick Bosa, DE | New: Bosa

Bosa, the former Ohio State star, looks like the best player in this draft (five sacks). San Francisco is quite happy (and undefeated) with its original first-round pick.

3. NEW YORK JETS: Original: Quinnen Williams, DT | New: Williams

We haven’t seen much from Williams, but let’s not forget what a fantastic prospect he was coming out of Alabama. Perhaps an offensive lineman or cornerback would be a better selection. But with Leonard Williams set to become a free agent, we stick with Quinnen, who returned from injury Monday night against the Patriots.

4. OAKLAND: Original: Clelin Ferrell, DE | New: Devin Bush, LB

Ferrell, from Clemson, was a reach. Oakland’s defense needs just about everything, so let's give them a speedy linebacker with play-making ability from Michigan. The Steelers will be ticked. 

5. TAMPA BAY: Original: Devin White, LB | New:  Dwayne Haskins, QB: 

Haskins, from Ohio State, has looked overwhelmed in brief playing time. But his big arm and downfield ability fit in well with Bruce Arians as Jameis Winston’s replacement in 2020 and beyond.

6. NEW YORK GIANTS: Original: Daniel Jones, QB | New:  Jones

This has to be a quarterback. Taking Jones here in April was questionable. It's questionable in October, too. But the Giants need a QB, and Jones has shown flashes.

7. JACKSONVILLE: Original Pick: Josh Allen, DE | New: TJ Hockenson, TE

Hockenson is going to be great, and tight end is a huge area of need for the Jaguars. Is Gardner Minshew worth it here? Nah. He's not a first-rounder. 

8. DETROIT: Original: TJ Hockenson, TE | New: Brian Burns, DE

In our hypothetical draft, the Lions were hoping to get their original pick, Hockenson. But Burns, who played at Florida State, is a fantastic consolation prize as a speedball rusher off the edge.

9. BUFFALO: Original: Ed Oliver, DT | New: Josh Jacobs, RB

Oliver looks like a potential stud, but Jacobs, the former Alabama star, is already a stud. We can argue the value of the running back position, but Josh Allen still needs help and Frank Gore could mentor this young thoroughbred.

10. DENVER: Original: Devin Bush (by Steelers), LB | New: Devin White, LB

Three quarterbacks are off the board. Is Minshew worth reaching for at No. 10? Did I mention that he's not a first-round talent? White, from LSU, is the every-down linebacker that Vic Fangio has had such great success with.

11. CINCINNATI: Original: Jonah Williams, OT | New: Dalton Risner, Guard

Bush or White would have been extremely welcome additions for a dreadful defense, but this pick must be a quarterback or offensive lineman. There isn’t a quarterback value on the board, so the Bengals go with the most accomplished rookie lineman in Kansas State's Risner.

12. GREEN BAY: Original: Rashan Gary, DE | New:  Darnell Savage, S

Savage, from Maryland, does it all and is already a major impact player. (In the real draft, Green Bay selected him 21st. He's worth it here for sure.)

13. MIAMI: Original: Christian Wilkins, DT | New:  Jonah Williams, OT

Wilkins, from Clemson, is one of the bright spots for the worst team in football, but wow is Miami’s offensive line bad. Williams was the best offensive line prospect from this class. The Alabama star can't help the tanking Dolphins win this season, but that's swell for Miami. 

14. ATLANTA | Original: Chris Lindstrom, OG | New:  Josh Allen, DE

In the real world, Atlanta used two first-round picks on offensive line help. But they aren’t reaping the rewards. Allen, a superstar at Kentucky, is a great prospect who is far better than the 14th-best player in this draft.

15. WASHINGTON | Original: Dwayne Haskins, QB | New:  AJ Brown, WR

Quarterback is an obvious need, but wide receiver isn’t far behind. Brown, from Mississippi, hasn’t been the most productive receiver to date, and maybe Washington would prefer the guy it drafted in the real draft, Terry McLaurin. Brown looks like a JuJu Smith-Schuster clone.

16. CAROLINA | Original: Brian Burns, DE | New: Cody Ford, OT

Ford, from Oklahoma, has been plug-and-play for the Bills. He could play tackle or guard, and brings nastiness that would be appreciated.

17. NY GIANTS (from Browns): Original: Dexter Lawrence, DT | New: Jeffery Simmons, DT

If he would have been healthy for the real draft, Simmons easily would have went in the top-10, perhaps even top-five. This might even be too late for the former Mississippi State star. 

18. MINNESOTA | Original: Garrett Bradbury, Center | New: Erik McCoy, Center

Bradbury started the season poorly but has improved. McCoy, from Texas A&M, has been good from the get-go for New Orleans. Going center is the right call nonetheless for Minnesota.

19. TENNESSEE | Original:  Jeffery Simmons, DT | New:  Dexter Lawrence, DT

Simmons is gone, but former Clemson star Lawrence is one of the NFL’s best rookies regardless of position. The Titans like beef on the interior of their defensive line, and Lawrence (6-foot-4, 342 pounds) offers that in spades, along with rare movement skills for a behemoth. 

20. PITTSBURGH | Original: Noah Fant (by Broncos), TE | New: Marquise Brown, WR

In this scenario, Pittsburgh grabs Antonio Brown's cousin, Marquise, the speedster from Oklahoma. Obviously an every-down linebacker would have been ideal, but there are only two star linebackers in this class. Pittsburgh could really use Brown’s game-changing speed to get defenses out of the box and take pressure off Smith-Schuster.

21. SEATTLE | Original: Darnell Savage (by Packers), S | New: Irv Smith, TE

The Seahawks need a middle-of-the-field presence, which is exactly what Smith, who is stepping up of late for Minnesota, would provide. Smith, a stud at Alabama, gets the nod over Noah Fant, who has struggled.

22. BALTIMORE | Original:  Andre Dillard (by Eagles), OT | New: DK Metcalf, WR

Baltimore would really be in trouble without Marquise Brown, who we have going to their rival Steelers. So we give the Ravens another downfield threat, but a much bigger version, in former Mississippi star Metcalf, who also could help spring Lamar Jackson on a long run or two with his blocking.

23. HOUSTON | Original: Tytus Howard, OT | New:  Christian Wilkins, DT

With a bevy of trades, the Texans' roster has changed significantly since April. Houston doesn’t have a ton of needs, so it grabs the best value on the board in Wilkins, one of the few bright spots for the Dolphins this season.

24. OAKLAND (from Bears) | Original: Josh Jacobs, RB | New: Terry McLaurin, WR

Tyrell Williams battles injuries and the Antonio Brown experiment didn’t work out, so Oakland’s passing game is focused on Darren Waller. This team needs defense and receiver help. Al Davis would appreciate the wheels on McLaurin, the speedster from Ohio State.

25. PHILADELPHIA | Original: (by Ravens): Marquise Brown, WR | New: Byron Murphy, CB

Murphy, the former Washington star, is the best cornerback in this rookie class. Corner is a massive area of weakness for the Eagles, who would do cartwheels if they had him.

26. INDIANAPOLIS | Original: (by Redskins): Montez Sweat, DE | New: Ed Oliver, DT

Oliver, who starred at the University of Houston, has struggled against double teams in the run game for the Bills. But he is an upfield penetrator whom Indianapolis could just use on passing downs.

27. OAKLAND (from Cowboys) | Original: Johnathan Abram, S | New: Rashan Gary, DE

So far the Raiders have drafted Devin Bush and Terry McLaurin, but they still need pass-rush help. Even with Clelin Ferrell still on the board, Oakland grabs the higher-upside guy in Gary, who played at Michigan. Montez Sweat also was strongly considered.

28. LA CHARGERS | Original: Jerry Tillery, DT | New:  Andre Dillard, OT

What a gift this would be to the offensive line-starved Chargers. It was surprising that Dillard, who played at Washington State, lasted until the 22nd pick in the real NFL Draft. Los Angeles will sprint to the podium to announce this pick. 

29. SEATTLE (From Chiefs) | Original: LJ Collier, DE | New: N’Keal Harry, WR

After grabbing a tight end earlier in the round, the Seahawks could go in many directions. But they decide to add another big body in the passing game in Arizona State's Harry, who's getting healthy. 

30. GREEN BAY (from Saints) | Original: DeAndre Baker (by Giants), CB | New: Elgton Jenkins, Guard

This plays out with the Packers getting two players they did in fact draft: Darnell Savage and Jenkins, who played at Mississippi State. Good job, Green Bay.

31. LA RAMS | Original: Kaleb McGary (by Falcons), OT | New: Chris Lindstrom, Guard

Lindstrom, from Boston College, is a value pick for Los Angeles at a huge need area. He's on injured reserve with the Falcons, but reports indicate that he could be ready to return soon.

32. NEW ENGLAND | Original: N’Keal Harry, WR | New:  Garrett Bradbury, Center

The Patriots seem to be doing pretty well without Harry, who has been injured. But the middle of their offensive line isn't great. Bradbury, from NC State, would hold the position for years in New England.