1. Tennessee Titans - QB Cam Ward, Miami

Original Pick: QB Cam Ward, Miami 

While I briefly considered taking Jaxson Dart here, who had the better rookie season, Ward showed enough flashes that I don’t think the Titans would change their mind. In Ward’s defense, Tennessee may have provided him with the worst supporting cast of any quarterback in the league. Two of his starting wide receivers by the end of the season were day three, rookies. The offense line wasn’t terrible, but still a terrible spot nonetheless, and Ward was still able to show flashes of being a potential top quarterback in the future.

2. Cleveland Browns - QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

Original Pick: CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado (JAX swapped No.5 with CLE)

It doesn’t look like the Browns hit on either of their quarterback selections, and Dart had a very strong rookie campaign. Even after losing star wide receiver Malik Nabers, starting running back Cam Skattebo, and head coach Brian Daboll, Dart had a very consistent season and proved to be a true dual-threat to defenses. He led all quarterbacks in rushing yards per game (minimum 10 starts) and finished second in rushing touchdowns. Combine that with his 15 passing touchdowns to 5 interceptions, safe to say Dart showed enough to warrant a top pick. 

3. New York Giants - QB Tyler Shough, Louisville

Original Pick: QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

With Dart and Ward gone, there is only one viable quarterback option for a team that desperately needs one. Shough didn’t start the first seven games of the season, but showed enough in ten starts to give the Saints a reason to believe they may have found their franchise quarterback. He led all rookies, completing 67.3% of his passes and averaging 216.7 yards per game. Shough proved to be the most NFL-ready passer of any of the rookies in his first year, and the Giants, quarterback-less in this scenario, need a signal caller badly. 

4. New England Patriots - EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State

Original Pick: OT Will Campbell, LSU

This is in no means a knock on Will Campbell (though I do not think he is the class’s top tackle), I just think the Patriots, who have a massive need at edge rusher, wouldn’t pass up the opportunity given the chance to land Carter. While Carter did have a disappointing rookie campaign in many people’s eyes, he showed why he was one of the premier prospects a year ago, towards the end of the season, looking like people had expected. I did consider Kelvin Banks Jr. here with New England’s hole at tackle, but Carter’s talent at a premier position was too much to pass on. 

5. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado 

Original Pick: DT Mason Graham, Michigan (CLE swapped No. 2 with JAX)

This is the perfect scenario for Jacksonville, the guy they traded up to get falls into their lap at five. Despite some struggles, I think Hunter showed enough flashes on both sides of the ball to warrant still being selected in the top five. While I think Hunter is suited better as a full-time wide receiver, the Jaguars are much better at receiver than they are at corner. Jacksonville gave up its 2026 first-round pick for this guy, and while he didn’t have the rookie season he was expected to, I don’t think they have any doubts about his talent. 

6. Las Vegas Raiders - OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas 

Original Pick: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

While I don’t think Jeanty was to blame for not living up to expectations in year one, I still don’t think that was a smart pick. A big reason for his lack of success was the offensive line he was running behind. Kelvin Banks Jr. had the best season of any of the rookie tackles, in my opinion, starting all seventeen games and being the clear best pass-blocker of the group. He does have some room to grow as a run-blocker, but elite-level pass protection is a premium in today’s league, and Banks provides that better than anyone in this class. 

7. New York Jets - OT Armand Membou, Missouri 

Original Pick: OT Armand Membou, Missouri 

I don’t think the Jets have any regret with this pick. Membou had a very strong rookie campaign and helped them create a solid young duo with Olu Fashanu, whom the Jets drafted the year prior. He showed promise both with his stellar run blocking and solid pass protection all year long, and while there are some other tempting options on the board, I don’t think they move off of Membou. In a complete rebuild, the Jets have two cornerstone tackles who should help protect whoever they choose to bring in as their next quarterback. 

8. Carolina Panthers - WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona 

Original Pick: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Another pick staying the same, McMillian was this year’s offensive rookie of the year and showed lots of promise as Bryce Young’s number one option for the foreseeable future. The Arizona rookie racked up 70 catches for just over one thousand yards during his rookie of the year campaign. While Emeka Egbuka showed up early, McMillan’s consistency throughout the year makes him the easier first receiver off the board in this redraft. The Panthers have plenty of other needs, but McMillan was the only real threat for them on the outside. 

9. New Orleans Saints - OT Will Campbell, LSU

Original Pick: OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

With their original selection, Kelvin Banks Jr. already selected, the Saints take the best offensive tackle on the board. While there are plenty of other needs for the Saints, the offensive line was a massive hole that Banks Jr. filled for them, and in this scenario, they hope Will Campbell will be able to fill it. Campbell took a ton of heat, struggling in this year's postseason, but before his injury, he was playing at a very high level. I think a mix of playing three top-six defenses, mixed with him maybe rushing back from injury, played a role in his struggles. Overall, Campbell still showed enough promise to warrant him being selected in the top ten. 

10. Chicago Bears - TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

Original Pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan 

Yes, another team sticking with the guy they originally selected. Loveland’s rookie campaign didn’t truly start until about halfway through last season, and he was arguably the second-best tight end in the second half of the season behind Trey McBride. Many people questioned the pick (including myself), especially when Tyler Warren started the year off so strongly, but Loveland showed in the second half of the season what Ben Johnson and the Bears front office saw in him and projects as one of the league’s top tight ends for years to come. 

11. San Francisco 49ers - OG Tyler Booker, Alabama 

Original Pick: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia

The 49ers' offensive line was an absolute mess this past season, and while they missed out on the top three tackles, Booker was an absolute stud this season. He would be an immediate upgrade at either offensive guard position and a cornerstone for an offensive line that needs a complete rehaul. Booker was an absolute mauler in the run game, easily the best run blocker in this draft class, and would fit in perfectly in a Kyle Shanahan offense that loves to run the ball. Overall, this would be a home run pick for the 49ers if they could go back in time. 

12. Dallas Cowboys - DB Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

Original Pick: OG Tyler Booker, Alabama

On a team with plenty of needs on the defensive side of the ball, I went with who I thought could make the biggest impact for their defense. We saw how effective Emmanwori was on the league’s best defense last season, lining up in the box, in the slot, and even as an edge rusher. Seattle hit a home run with this pick, and with Booker off the board, Dallas has an easy selection here to give their defense a Swiss Army Knife to build around for years to come. I thought about Schwesinger here, but thought Emmanwori’s versatility gave him an edge. 

13. Miami Dolphins - TE Tyler Warren, Penn State 

Original Pick: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan 

Kenneth Grant is available here, but I don’t think they would make that selection given the opportunity to go back in time. Warren came out of the gates strong and established himself as one of the league's best tight ends from day one. With many of the top linemen off the board and no cornerbacks worth taking at this pick, taking the clear top offensive player available just makes too much sense for the Dolphins. Tyreek Hill's likely departure also leaves a big hole for another weapon in Miami. Warren would fit that role.

14. Indianapolis Colts - LB/EDGE Jalon Walker, Georgia 

Original Pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

Missing out on Tyler Warren hurts the Colts, as he was everything they could’ve asked for in his rookie season. However, turning to a major need in Jalon Walker isn’t so bad a consolation. While fellow rookie James Pearce Jr. slightly outshone him during their rookie year, Pearce Jr. is currently facing multiple felony charges. Walker still had a very solid rookie season, racking up 5.5 sacks. He was seen as a little bit of a project transitioning to edge, and definitely showed flashes that he could be very effective on the outside. 

15. Atlanta Falcons - LB Carson Schwesinger, UCLA

Original Pick: LB/EDGE Jalon Walker, Georgia

After winning defensive rookie of the year, the only reason Schwesinger falls this far is because of his positional value. I think many teams will still value offensive linemen and weapons rather than an inside linebacker who was very productive. Schwesinger stuffed the statsheet for the Browns, leading all rookies in total tackles and tackles for loss. Though there was a clear need for an edge rusher here, I’m not sure any other rookie pass rusher showed enough in year one to warrant being selected ahead of the defensive rookie of the year. 

16. Arizona Cardinals - OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon 

Original Pick: DT Walter Nolan, Ole Miss

While the Nolan pick at the time made a ton of sense for a defense that lacked playmakers on the front seven of their defense, he barely played this year and didn’t show any special signs that Arizona wouldn’t look to change their pick given the chance. Conerly Jr. would fill their massive need at right tackle and give them bookend tackles for their upcoming rebuild. This selection would also give them a lot more flexibility with the upcoming third overall pick, allowing them to get the best player available as opposed to forcing a tackle pick. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals - OG Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

Original Pick: EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

The Shemar Stewart contract saga was one of the weirdest stories leading up to the season, and his on-field play did not make up for the headache that it was. This is a match made in heaven for the Bengals, as Zabel is probably the top overall player remaining here at a position of need. While defense is an obvious concern for Cincinnati, the only defender I considered taking here was Xavier Watts, and I think Zabel made more sense because I think the offensive line is more valuable, and he showed a lot to be optimistic about in his first year. 

18. Seattle Seahawks - WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Original Pick: OG Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

Missing out on their original first round selection by one pick, Seattle has to pivot to another hole they needed, and still need to fill. While Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s breakout year was awesome, the lack of help around him forced the Seahawks to trade for Rashid Shaheed during the season to help their Super Bowl run. Egbuka was one of the best rookies right out of the gate for Tampa Bay and would set Seattle up to have one of the best young wide receiver duos in the league for many years to come. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia 

Original Pick: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Back-to-back teams missing out on their original pick, this one hurts Tampa Bay, as Egbuka was one of the top rookie receivers last season and is an integral part of their plans. Here, they take Mykel Williams, who only played in nine games last season after tearing his ACL. The Williams pick here is still more of a projection, as he didn’t show a ton in his first year. However, the Buccaneers' need for an edge rusher, along with Williams’ potential upside, makes a ton of sense after missing out on their original selection in Egbuka. 

20. Denver Broncos - RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Original Pick: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

While it isn’t entirely Barron’s fault, he still didn’t log enough snaps here to match the impact that Ashton Jeanty, a true three-down back with homerun-hitting ability, could give Denver. Dobbins and Harvey were serviceable behind one of the league's best offensive lines, but Jeanty showed the ability to be a star even behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league. I feel like the Broncos would have a tough time passing up on Jeanty if he were to fall this far, especially led by a guy like Sean Payton. 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers - DT Mason Graham, Michigan

Original Pick: DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon

The Steelers have a major win in this scenario. They can draft the same position they went after last year, but just at an upgrade. Don’t get me wrong, Harmon showed a decent amount of flashes when healthy to make the Steelers consider making this selection all over again, but Graham gives them a slight upgrade. Graham, who went fifth overall in the real draft, played in all seventeen games this season and was a very formidable piece to a young Browns defense that played well despite being one of the worst teams in the league. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers - OG Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

Original Pick: RB Omarian Hampton, North Carolina 

While Hampton didn’t wow this season in any way, he showed enough flashes this season to justify his selection as a first-round pick. That being said, the Chargers' offensive line was one of the worst last season after losing both of their starting tackles. Even with those tackles coming back next year, they are losing both of their guards to free agency (not that those players were difference makers). Jackson would give them an immediate upgrade to their biggest position of need and would continue to build a young, talented offensive line. 

23. Green Bay Packers - OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State

Original Pick: WR Matthew Golden, Texas

Matthew Golden’s rookie season was not what many Packers fans were expecting, though I do not think it was entirely his fault. Green Bay has a crowded wide receiver room that they love to rotate in and out, making it difficult for Golden to carve out a consistent role. That being said, there is a clear hole at offensive tackle, and Simmons showed flashes of being a quality starter in the NFL for years to come. Simmons was a great pass protector last season, and knowing that they’ll likely lose Rasheed Walker in free agency, a franchise left tackle is a major need. 

24. Minnesota Vikings - S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame 

Original Pick: OG Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

With their original first-round pick in Donovan Jackson gone, the Vikings can fill another massive hole that lies in their secondary. Watts was easily the best rookie safety, racking up five interceptions and eleven pass deflections in his rookie campaign for the Falcons. Minnesota’s secondary and lack of ball production were two of its biggest weak spots this past year. It's one of their biggest priorities in this upcoming offseason. Watts would give them a clear upgrade at safety and immediately be one of the best players, if not the best, in their secondary. 

25. Houston Texans - RB Omarion Hampton

Original Pick: QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss (Traded to NYG)

The Texans originally moved out of this slot, trading back with the Giants, who would eventually draft Jaxson Dart. In this scenario, Dart is long gone, and nobody is trading up for this pick. Woody Marks was one of the least efficient running backs this past year, which led to the Texans trading for David Montgomery just a few days ago, something that wouldn’t have happened if Hampton were available. Hampton showed some flashes behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines, and would give Houston their clear long-term back

26. Los Angeles Rams - DB Jacob Parrish, Kansas State

Original Pick: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee (Traded to ATL)

While the Rams would likely deal this pick to Atlanta for their 2026 first-round pick, given the opportunity to do so again, the Falcons aren’t coming up in this scenario. Los Angeles just traded for star cornerback Trent McDuffie, but adding Parrish to play in the slot for them would turn what was their biggest weakness in 2025 into one of their biggest strengths in this upcoming season. Parrish well outplayed his third-round selection value in his rookie campaign, being arguably the best cornerback in this class. The Rams' defense would look scary with the addition of Parrish, especially after adding McDuffie. 

27. Baltimore Ravens - S Malaki Starks, Georgia

Original Pick: S Malaki Starks, Georgia

Our first same pick made in a long time, I don’t think Baltimore has any regret or second-guessing about making this pick over again. Starks was solid during his rookie season and showed he could be a good complementary piece on the backend while they moved Kyle Hamilton all over the field. He finished the year with low ball production (only four passes defended and two interceptions), but I think he showed enough flashes as a rookie to where Baltimore feels confident having him starting for the foreseeable future. 

28. Detroit Lions - OG Tate Rutledge, Georgia

Original Pick: DL Tyliek Williams, Ohio State

Funny enough, the Lions took Tate Rutledge in the second round of this year's draft. However, I don’t think they let him leave the first round, as knowing what we know now, he won’t be available when they pick next. Tyliek Williams wasn’t very productive in his rookie season and wouldn’t shy the Lions away from changing their pick up here. Rutledge played in all seventeen games and did not allow a sack in his final twelve. On an interior offensive line that is shaky elsewhere, the Lions make sure they keep their second-round selection. 

29. Washington Commanders - RB Treveyon Henderson, Ohio State

Original Pick: OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon

While the Commanders would love to have their original selection in Josh Conerly Jr. here, that unfortunately is not available to them. Henderson could give them a true weapon out of the backfield that is a threat to take any carry to the endzone. Primarily splitting time in New England, he did not have ridiculous totals in his rookie campaign. However, his home-run hitting ability (four rushing touchdowns of over fifty yards), matched with his ability as a receiver, propels him to the first round

30. Buffalo Bills - LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama 

Original Pick: CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

While the Bills had the right idea, trying to fix a broken secondary, Hairston only appeared in eleven games and didn’t show a ton of flashes to be the player they expected him to be. In this scenario, they have to shift to another major need on their roster in off-ball linebacker. Campbell was originally seen as a player who fell in the draft due to positional value, but played up to his original draft expectation for the Eagles. He was a key piece for their defense as a rookie, and Buffalo would be happy to add someone with his skillset. 

31. Kansas City Chiefs - OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota 

Original Pick: OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State

Another team that would likely rather have their original pick than who fell to them, the Chiefs stick with an offensive tackle in Aireontae Ersery. After Houston traded away Laremy Tunsil the offseason prior, Ersery had major shoes to fill. While he didn’t nearly play to the level of Tunsil, he was a pleasant surprise for the Texans and could serve as a long-term piece for their offensive line. In this scenario, the Chiefs are in a position where they sort of have to go with an offensive tackle, and Ersery is the best one available. 

32. Philadelphia Eagles - CB Upton Stout, North Texas

Original Pick: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

The Eagles got a steal when they selected Jihaad Campbell, as many people thought he’d go much higher, and he played well as a rookie. In this scenario, they shift their focus to one of the biggest holes on their roster with Upton Stout. The outside corner opposite of Quinyon Mitchell was a huge issue this year, and Stout surprised a lot of people with his play as a rookie. He would serve as an immediate upgrade on the outside and give Philadelphia more flexibility this upcoming offseason without such a glaring hole at cornerback.