Re-drafting the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft: Was Jayden Daniels' incredible rookie season enough to dethrone Caleb Williams as the first pick?
The 2024 NFL Draft Class has already left quite the impression on the league as a whole. Multiple had fantastic rookie seasons, and it looks like they are going to be dynamic players in this league for the foreseeable future. With one year of their careers in the books, we here at A to Z Sports […]
The 2024 NFL Draft Class has already left quite the impression on the league as a whole.
Multiple had fantastic rookie seasons, and it looks like they are going to be dynamic players in this league for the foreseeable future. With one year of their careers in the books, we here at A to Z Sports decided to revisit the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and re-draft the results. Will Jayden Daniels knock Caleb Williams off his throne? Did some of the defenders make teams think twice about passing on them last year? Those questions are answered, and more below.
2024 1st Round Redraft:
1. Chicago Bears: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Bears' actual selection: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
"It isn't massive movement for Daniels, he comes off the board one pick earlier in this redraft. He was the Rookie of the Year, showcasing outstanding decision-making, playmaking ability, and comfort."
– Ryan Roberts
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Commanders' actual selection: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
"With Daniels off the board, the Commanders need to take the best quarterback on the board. For me, that is Maye. His performance with poor surroundings this past year is nothing short of exemplary and his standing as my QB1 going into the draft remains strong after one year."
– Tyler Forness
3. New England Patriots: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Patriots' actual selection: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
"Daniels and Maye are off the board, but it doesn't change the fact that the Patriots still need a franchise quarterback. Caleb Williams had an up-and-down rookie season, but the Patriots landing him at third overall is a steal."
– Jon Helmkamp
4. Arizona Cardinals: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Cardinals' actual selection: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
“Certainly considered offensive or defensive line here. Wide receiver was simply too big of a need at this time last year for Arizona, though. The Cardinals take arguably the best wideout from year one of this class. Marvin Harrison Jr. still has a great NFL outlook, but Nabers had a better rookie campaign.”
– Adam Holt
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Chargers actual selection: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
"Looking at the advanced numbers, Joe Alt was what we and the Chargers expected on draft day. He was far and away the best pass blocker of the rookie class. As tempting as Brian Thomas Jr. is, protecting Justin Herbert is the top priority."
-Ian Valentino
6. New York Giants: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Giants' actual selection: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
"Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen live to see another year in 2025, but something tells me their seat would be a lot cooler if they selected the future of their franchise last year. Of course, McCarthy would go on to miss all of his rookie campaign, but healthy and in Daboll’s offense, he could put up numbers and bring energy back to the Big Apple."
– Rob Gregson
7. Tennessee Titans: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Titans' actual selection: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
"Brian Thomas Jr. crushed all expectations, even for a first-round wide receiver, and finally gave the Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence a player worth targeting on the perimeter. It will be tough to follow up his 1300 yards and 10 touchdowns from his rookie year, but he has the talent to do it."
– Travis May
8. Atlanta Falcons: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
Falcons' actual selection: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
"There's certainly an argument for the Falcons to stick with their original pick, with Michael Penix Jr. expected to be their full-time starter in 2025. But Atlanta still has a major need at edge rusher, and Jared Verse had a great season that ended with him being crowned the Defensive Rookie of the Year."
– Destin Adams
9. Chicago Bears: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Bears' actual selection: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
"With Daniels coming off the board at the top, he needs a top target to throw to. Harrison wasn't quite as good as some expected as a rookie, but he also showed a lot of positive signs. He could be in for a massive second-year breakout."
– Ryan Roberts
10. Minnesota Vikings: Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
Vikings' actual selection: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
"The Vikings could go with a quarterback here, but neither Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix project better than Sam Darnold. Robinson was my top edge rusher and fourth overall player in 2024, and his sack numbers were higher than Jared Verse's while his underlying metrics were incredibly similar on a play-by-play basis."
– Tyler Forness
11. New York Jets: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Jets' actual selection: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
"The New York Jets desperately need something outside of Garrett Wilson, and Brock Bowers proved in his rookie season to already be an elite tight end in the NFL. Bringing him to New York gives them another young building block for whatever their future holds."
– Jon Helmkamp
12. Denver Broncos: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Broncos' actual selection: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
"Bo Nix played well for Sean Payton, but there's an ability gap between what he and Michael Penix Jr. can do. Adding a threat of verticality to this offense would be a terrific one. I would've been content to stick with Nix here had Penix been off the board."
– Ian Valentino
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Raiders' actual selection: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
"The Raiders hit the reset button (stop me if you have heard that before) after struggling to compete in the AFC West yet again and not taking a QB in round one of last year's draft. They right that wrong here, keeping Bo Nix in the division, but in the Black and Silver."
– Rob Gregson
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Saints' actual selection: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
"Fuaga lands exactly where he did in the actual draft last year. He was one of the best rookie offensive linemen in football during 2024, and New Orleans had to find another option at tackle with the uncertainty of Ryan Ramczyk's career. This may be a tad boring, but it's the best pick for the Saints on this board."
– Adam Holt
15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
Colts' actual selection: Laiatu Latu, edge, UCLA
"I'm sure some fans will question the Colts sticking with Laiatu Latu here instead of grabbing one of the corners in this class. But Latu flashed next-level ability as a rookie. He looks poised for a breakout season in 2025 and has all the making of becoming a true game-wrecking pass rusher. I don't think the Colts regret their decision, and with how the board fell, I think they would turn in the same card in this re-draft."
– Destin Adams
16. Seattle Seahawks: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Seahawks' selection: Byron Murphy Jr., DT, Texas
"This is far too big of a drop for JC Latham. The entire Titans offense was useless in 2024, but Latham was the lone bright spot who flashed incredible potential. There were some rough plays mixed in too, but Latham's talent as an offensive tackle is too much to pass up for the Seahawks."
– Travis May
17. Minnesota Vikings: Byron Murphy Jr., DT, Texas
Vikings' actual selection: Dallis Turner, Edge, Alabama
"Quinyon Mitchell drew a lot of consideration here, but Murphy's ability to dominate in the run game, handle double teams, and rush the passer would be a huge factor in elevating the trenches to a level that the Vikings haven't had since Kevin Williams."
– Tyler Forness
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Bengals' actual selection: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
"The Bengals secondary was so bad in 2024 that it led to a well-respected coach in Lou Anarumo being fired after the season. Amarius Mims has a lot of potential and also fits a need, but if the Bengals could do it again, I have a hard time seeing them pass on a lockdown corner like Quinyon Mitchell."
– Destin Adams
19. Los Angeles Rams: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Rams' actual selection: Jared Verse
"The Rams have a big need at cornerback, and DeJean is a versatile playmaker who can move all over the field secondary. Where would he be best served, on the outside, in the slot, or as a hybrid of both? Fortunately for the Rams, there probably isn't a wrong answer."
– Ryan Roberts
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Sainristill, CB, Michigan
Steelers' actual selection: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
"There were not 32 better rookies in the league last year than Mike Sainristil. He brought life and intensity to the Commanders’ defense and would have done wonders for the Steelers at their nickel position. Sure, it’s not the best positional value, but good players matter more than anything, and finding your slot corner for the next decade is worth the 20th overall pick."
– Rob Gregson
21. Miami Dolphins: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Dolphins'actual selection: Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
"Miami needs help on the interior of the offensive line, and Jackson Powers-Johnson, the Oregon product, showed plenty of grit and ability in his rookie campaign for the Raiders. He's a smart, physical, and nasty interior offensive lineman that would boost their run game and their protection of Tua instantly."
– Jon Helmkamp
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Eagles' actual selection: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
"Wiggins is the fourth CB off the board in this scenario. Luckily, it was a deep position in last year's class. Wiggins was no Dejean or Mitchell in his rookie year, but he played well for Baltimore. Help in the secondary was necessary one way or another here for Philly. Kamari Lassiter was the other CB that I thought about at this pick."
– Adam Holt
23. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georiga
Jaguars' actual selection: Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU
"Jacksonville seemed to hit the jackpot with Brian Thomas Jr., but he's long gone now. Ladd McConkey would give the Jaguars' offense some juice, which is a bigger asset for Trevor Lawrence than Rome Odunze's size would be."
– Ian Valentino
24. Detroit Lions: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Lions' actual selection: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
"Kamari Lassiter quietly had one of the best rookie seasons in the NFL. Four interceptions. Six passes defended. Tons of tackles. Over 900 snaps played. He was an instant hit for the Texans. Obviously, he should have been a first-round pick, and the Lions level up here if they go this direction."
– Travis May
25. Green Bay Packers: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Packers' actual selection: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
"Is there any singular position the Packers need more than a number one wide receiver? They have a lot of talent on the outside, but nobody is a game-breaking alpha. Odunze flashed the ability to be that guy with the Bears last season and would be really fun to watch with Jordan Love."
– Tyle Forness
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
Buccaneers' actual selection: Graham Barton, C/G, Duke
"The Buccaneers would be fine taking Barton again, but Fiske was dominant as a rookie and could help bring some pass-rushing juice to a unit that needs more of a presence there."
– Rob Gregson
27. Arizona Cardinals: Dominick Puni, G, Kansas
Cardinals' actual selection: Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri
"A certified "my guy" here. Puni was among my favorite offensive linemen in last year's class & proved his talent as a rookie for the 49ers. The Cardinals add an instant OL starter to their team after getting Malik Nabers early."
– Adam Holt
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
Chiefs' actual selection: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
"Honestly, I'm surprised Bucky Irving lasted this long, and as a Bills fan AND an Oregon Ducks fan, I loathe the idea of giving him to the Chiefs. But here we are. Bucky had a phenomenal rookie season, showing physicality and explosiveness on his way to a 1,122-yard, eight-touchdown season. He straight up stole the job away from Rachaad White and would answer the running back concerns that the Chiefs have in a major way."
– Jon Helmkamp
29. Dallas Cowboys: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Cowboys actual' selection: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
"Xavier Worthy proved down the stretch that he was worthy of first-round draft capital. He averaged nearly six receptions, 68 yards, and 0.6 touchdowns per game in his final ten games. On a 99/1154/10 17-game pace. Worthy would make the Cowboys offense crazy explosive."
– Travis May
30. Baltimore Ravens: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
Ravens' actual selection: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
"It's funny how this stuff works out sometimes. Rosengarten was selected by the Ravens last April, but he just came off the board a bit earlier in this redraft. The Ravens need to continue protecting quarterback Lamar Jackson at all costs, and Rosengarten will help with that for the foreseeable future."
– Ryan Roberts
31. San Francisco 49ers: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
49ers' actual selection: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
"I'm shocked Olu Fashanu fell so far, and I wasn't the biggest fan of his coming out of college. San Francisco would've been an ideal spot for him to ease into the NFL and learn from the best technician in the league in Trent Williams. The 49ers lost out on Dominick Puni in this mock, but Fashanu would've made up for it."
– Ian Valentino
32. Carolina Panthers: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
Panthers' actual selection: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
"You could argue that Zach Frazier was a top 10 rookie in the league this past year. He was one of few bright spots on the Steelers offensive line. The Panthers enter 2025 feeling good about where Bryce Young is after a late-season resurgence. So, if given the chance to give him a long-term starting center like Frazier, I think they would pounce on the chance."
– Destin Adams
2025 Three Round NFL Mock Draft: Pre Scouting Combine rumors point to some shocking landing spots for top QBs
The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine is less than a week away, which is a major milestone of the NFL Draft process each year. Ahead of this year's event, rumors are spiraling surrounding the top quarterbacks in this class and even some already in the league. Before the event kicks off, here is one final three-round […]
