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One of the most fun thing’s I’ve gotten to do as a writer at Baltimore Beatdown is put together mock drafts, where I predict what I think NFL team’s will do in the draft. This time, however, I’m changing it up. Now, I’m going back in time to the 2010 NFL Draft, and giving every team do over with their first round pick with knowledge of how each player’s career will pan out through the 2016 season. Let’s see how the NFL landscape changes when hindsight comes into play.
St. Louis Rams
Original Pick: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Re-draft Pick: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
In his NFL career, at best, Sam Bradford is an average quarterback. Instead of drafting a quarterback that was ultimately traded away for Nick Foles, the Rams take arguably the best tackle in the NFL to anchor its offensive line. Drafting Williams, not only would be huge for the offense, but it also prevents the Rams of ever making the mistake of drafting Greg Robinson from Auburn. Many times, Sam Bradford was injured on a hit from a pass rusher because his offensive line was unable to block. While the Rams still have a quarterback dilemma, they have less concerns about keeping whatever quarterback they use standing.
Original Pick: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Re-draft Pick: Suh
Despite character concerns, Suh is an absolutely dominant force on the defensive line. Even though the Lions know in this scenario that he will leave for Miami, Suh is still the easy pick for the Lions to make.
Original Pick: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Re-draft Pick: Earl Thomas, S, Texas
This one was difficult as McCoy has been an excellent player for the Buccaneers. However, I’m choosing to give Tampa one of the best safeties in the NFL, Earl Thomas. Having an elite safety like Thomas would be a huge help to the Tampa defense that has to face Drew Brees and Matt Ryan twice a year.
Original Pick: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Re-draft Pick: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
The Redskins are really regretting not getting the chance to pick Trent Williams at the fourth overall pick. Instead, I’ve given them Sam Bradford. The Redskins signed an aging Donovan McNabb to be the team’s starting quarterback for the 2010 season, but a rookie Bradford would be an upgrade over the veteran. The biggest positive with this pick: the Redskins won’t give up a kings ransom of picks to the Rams for Robert Griffin III a few years later. Bradford is a better option than Griffin, and in the long run, it’s very possible that Kirk Cousins could still end up as the starter in Washington. The Redskins wouldn’t complain if they could still get Cousins, while not giving up all of those picks for Griffin.
Original Pick: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Re-draft Pick: Berry
The Chiefs hit a home run with Eric Berry in 2010, and in this re-draft, they make the very same pick.
Original Pick: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Re-draft Pick: Antonio Brown, WR, Central Michigan
Russell Okung has not been a bad player over the course of his career, but think about where the Seahawks could be with Antonio Brown. Despite how well the Seahawks have played over the past couple of seasons, they have never had an elite wide receiver. That all changes with Brown, who adds a whole new dynamic to the offense in Seattle.
Original Pick: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Re-draft Pick: Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
Haden was one of the Browns better draft picks in recent years, but Rob Gronkowski is a much better player. The Browns add not just the best tight end in the NFL, but one of the overall best pass catchers.
Original Pick: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
Re-draft Pick: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
McCoy took a decent slip in this mock draft, but the Raiders will not let him slip by. McClain was a huge bust, thus McCoy is obviously a massive upgrade. The Raiders will sure be happy to turn McClain into a three time All-Pro.
Original Pick: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
Re-draft Pick: Kam Chancellor, S, Virginia Tech
Spiller never lived up to the hype that comes with a top 10 pick. Instead, the Bills land Kam Chancellor, another one of the NFL’s best safeties. This is the third safety in to go in the top 10 of this draft, and all of them have been to the Pro Bowl multiple times, hard to go wrong with this class.
Original Pick: Tyson Alualu, DT, California
Re-draft Pick: Geno Atkins, DT, Georgia
The Jaguars made a huge mistake with Alualu. In this re-draft, they still get their defensive tackle, but instead they get one of the best at the position in the NFL, Geno Atkins. Atkins has been graded higher than 86 by Pro Football Focus in five of his seven seasons.
Original Pick: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Re-draft Pick: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
Pierre-Paul continues to be one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Adding a star edge rusher like Pierre-Paul will be huge when this team’s Super Bowl window opens under Jim Harbaugh.
San Diego Chargers
Original Pick: Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
Re-draft Pick: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
One of the biggest issues the Chargers have had is keeping Philip Rivers upright. By adding Okung, the Chargers are able to solidify its shaky offensive line for years to come.
Original Pick: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
Re-draft Pick: Graham
Graham had a breakout season in 2016, earning a 93.3 grade from Pro Football Focus. The Eagles will be more than happy to take Graham again in this re-draft.
Seattle Seahawks
Original Pick: Earl Thomas, S, Texas
Re-draft Pick: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
The Seahawks miss out on Thomas, but instead take one of the NFL’s best centers. Like the Chargers, the Seahawks have also received criticism for a poor offensive line. Pouncey helps to alleviate that concern as he largely improves the interior offensive line.
Original Pick: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
Re-draft Pick: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
The Giants miss out on Pierre-Paul, but instead take an elite wide receiver in Dez Bryant. The Giants picked up Victor Cruz as an undrafted free agent in the hours after the 2010 draft. However, instead of striking gold with Cruz, who will ultimately leave after a major injury, the Giants get a more talented and productive receiver in Bryant.
Original Pick: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Re-draft Pick: Reshad Jones, S, Georgia
Quietly, Reshad Jones has been one of the better safeties in the NFL. Overall, the Titans defense needed help in the secondary and Jones will surely produce.
San Francisco 49ers
Original Pick: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
Re-draft Pick: Iupati
The 49ers nailed this pick. Iupati has been a great lineman in the NFL. San Francisco would undoubtedly take the four time Pro Bowler again.
Original Pick: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
Re-draft Pick: Sean Lee, LB, Penn State
The Steelers could use someone to pair with Lawrence Timmons over the middle, and Sean Lee does is perfect. Lee has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but when healthy, he is one of the best inside linebackers in the game.
Original Pick: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
Re-draft Pick: NaVorro Bowman, LB, Penn State
Bowman was Lee’s teammate at Penn State, and in this re-draft, the two Nittany Lions go in consecutive picks. Bowman has also been a very productive inside linebacker in the NFL, and would be an upgrade over Weatherspoon.
Original Pick: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
Re-draft Pick: Devin McCourty, DB, Rutgers
The Texans missed on Kareem Jackson, and in this re-draft, they recover in a big way. McCourty was originally drafted as a cornerback, but was transition to safety. That move proved to be for the better, as McCourty has developed into a star in the Patriots secondary. Houston would be thrilled to get a player of McCourty’s caliber given the chance.
Original Pick: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Re-draft Pick: Jimmy Graham, TE, Miami
The Bengals needed a tight end in 2010, and picked a decent one. However, let’s upgrade from a good tight end, to a star tight end. Swapping Jermaine Gresham for Jimmy Graham would be a huge improvement for the Bengals offense.
Original Pick: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
Re-draft Pick: Thomas
The Broncos nailed their pick of Demaryius Thomas in 2010. Thomas has become one of the NFL’s top receivers. Thomas had five straight 1,000 yard seasons, and has been selected to five Pro Bowls.
Original Pick: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Re-draft Pick: Bulaga
Bulaga has been an excellent offensive tackle for the Packers, and in this re-draft, Bulaga ends up back in Green Bay. Bulaga has three seasons of an above 85 grade on Pro Football Focus, and, in 2016, Bulaga was graded in the top 15 of NFL offensive tackles.
Original Pick: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Re-draft Pick: Emmanuel Sanders, WR, SMU
The Cowboys hit a home run with Dez Bryant, but he is already off the board in this draft. Instead, the Cowboys take Emmanuel Sanders. Sanders had three straight 1,000 yard seasons and emerged as one of the NFL’s best deep threats.
Denver Broncos
Original Pick: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Re-draft Pick: T.J. Ward, S, Oregon
The Broncos did well when they selected Demaryius Thomas, but their second first round pick didn’t fare as well. Tim Tebow was an absolute bust, and with the Broncos second first round pick, T.J. Ward is the new selection. The Broncos would draft Ward in the later in this draft, but his play in the NFL warrants a move into the first round.
Original Pick: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
Re-draft Pick: Linval Joseph, DT, East Carolina
The Cardinals needed a defensive tackle in this draft, but chose the wrong one. Linval Joseph has been a really solid player in the NFL. In fact, Joseph was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2016. Joseph is a big upgrade over Williams.
New England Patriots
Original Pick: Devin McCourty, DB, Rutgers
Re-draft Pick: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
The Patriots did well with the selection of McCourty, but he is no longer available. Instead, the Patriots draft a two-time Pro Bowler, Carlos Dunlap. In seven seasons, Dunlap has 57 sacks.
Original Pick: Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
Re-draft Pick: Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
The 2009 Dolphins had a decent receiving corps, but adding Golden Tate would be a big addition. Down the road, the pairing of Golden Tate and Jarvis Landry could be one of the better wide receiver duos.
Original Pick: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Re-draft Pick: Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Coming into the 2010 draft, the Jets didn’t have much in the pass rushing department. Adding Griffen changes that. Griffen has been one of the most underrated players at his position, but the Jets won’t miss the chance to make him their centerpiece up front.
Detroit Lions
Original Pick: Jahvid Best, RB, California
Re-draft Pick: LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon
Blount marks the biggest jump in draft position, moving from being undrafted into the first round. The promotion is well earned, as Blount has been very productive in his NFL career, especially with his 18 touchdown 2016 season. Blount solves a running back spot that has perennially been a weak spot for the Lions.
Original Pick: Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU
Re-draft Pick: Hughes
Hughes didn’t play well in his time with the Colts, but emerged as a solid pass rusher once he became a Buffalo Bill. If the Colts can get the level of play the Hughes produced in Buffalo, then he makes sense to be the pick again for the Colts.
Original Pick: Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida
Re-draft Pick: Morgan Burnett, S, Georgia Tech
The Super Bowl champion Saints didn’t know it at the time, but their defense would deteriorate over the years to become of the worst in the NFL. Even coming into this draft following their Super Bowl win, the defense wasn’t particularly dominant. Morgan Burnett has been a solid player on the back end for the Green Bay Packers. Burnett is an extremely reliable tackler, and had nine interceptions over his seven year career.
That’s how I see the first round of the 2010 NFL draft playing out if team’s had hindsight. How would you re-do the 2010 NFL draft?