NFL Analysis
6/25/24
9 min read
By Marcus Mosher
The 2021 NFL Draft has proven to be one of the best in recent memory. You could make a strong case that the league's best pass rusher, right tackle, cornerback, and center came from this draft.
Unlike most drafts, it has incredible depth, with 14 players already making the Pro Bowl at least once. But what would a total re-draft of this class look like? Here is how the 2021 draft should have gone three years later:
Re-Drafting The 2021 NFL Draft
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB 
Original Pick: Lawrence
Has Trevor Lawrence lived up to the hype that he received before the 2021 NFL Draft? Probably not.
But that doesn't mean he isn't worthy of this spot. Lawrence is the clear-cut top quarterback in this class and just earned a monster contract extension from the Jaguars. He is just 24 years old, and the ceiling is so high that there isn't any debate about who should be selected for this spot.
>> READ: Lawrence Earned His New Contract
2. New York Jets: Micah Parsons, EDGE
Original Pick: Zach Wilson
Selecting an offensive tackle is tempting, but Micah Parsons is the top player from this draft. He is already a two-time All-Pro selection and one of the league's most dominant pass rushers.
Pairing him with Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner would give the Jets one of the best defenses in NFL history.
3. San Francisco 49ers: Penei Sewell, OT
Original Pick: Trey Lance
Imagine for a moment that the San Francisco 49ers don't select (or trade up) for Trey Lance, and they draft arguably the best right tackle in the NFL to pair with Trent Williams. The 49ers are already unstoppable on offense, but giving them another All-Pro tackle would make them unfair.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Ja’Marr Chase, WR
Original Pick: Kyle Pitts
Kyle Pitts had a historic rookie season for the Falcons, but giving them arguably the best receiver in the league is a no-brainer. Ja'Marr Chase has been dominant since he stepped onto the field and would be a fantastic pick at No. 4.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Patrick Surtain II, CB
Original Pick: Ja'Marr Chase
With Chase off the board, the Bengals select the best player available. Patrick Surtain II has been arguably the league's best cornerback during the last three seasons and is the definition of a shutdown outside cornerback.
6. Miami Dolphins: Christian Darrisaw, LT
Original Pick: Jaylen Waddle
The Dolphins could select Jaylen Waddle again, but they go in a different direction in this re-draft. Christian Darrisaw has been among the best left tackles in the league in the last two seasons and continues improving.
Protecting Tua Tagovailoa has to be the Dolphins' priority, and adding Darrisaw to this offense would help.
7. Detroit Lions: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR
Original Pick: Penei Sewell
The Detroit Lions selected Penei Sewell at this spot, but it is no surprise that he went much higher in this re-draft. Instead, the Lions draft the player that they stole on Day 3. Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the best receivers in the league and a perfect fit in Ben Johnson's offense.
8. Carolina Panthers: Jaylen Waddle, WR
Original Pick: Jaycee Horn
Jaylen Waddle falls just a few spots in this re-draft, and it has nothing to do with his play. Since entering the league, Waddle has had more than 3,500 receiving yards, the second-most from this class. Finding an elite speed receiver is rare, so Waddle is still worth a top-10 pick in any re-draft.
9. Denver Broncos: DeVonta Smith, WR
Original Pick: Patrick Surtain II
The Broncos swung and missed on Jerry Jeudy during the 2020 draft, and it appears that Courtland Sutton could be on his way out. DeVonta Smith would give Bo Nix a legitimate No. 1 receiver to help build the offense around.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Landon Dickerson, OG
Original Pick: DeVonta Smith
With Smith (and three other receivers) off the board, the Philadelphia Eagles have to pivot at No. 10. They still grab an incredible player, selecting Landon Dickerson. The Eagles stole Dickerson in Round 2 of this draft, and he is now widely viewed as one of the NFL's top guards.
11. Chicago Bears: Rashawn Slater, LT
Original Pick: Justin Fields
The Chicago Bears grab one of the best left tackles in the NFL at pick No. 11 in Rashawn Slater. All he needs to do is stay healthy, and he should return to the Pro Bowl in 2024. Adding Slater to this offensive line would give the unit a massive boost and give Caleb Williams two strong tackles to play behind.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Creed Humphrey, C
Original Pick: Micah Parsons
The Dallas Cowboys have not replaced Travis Frederick since he retired, so they draft arguably the best center in the league at No. 12.
Creed Humphrey has started 61 games (including playoffs) in the last three seasons for the Chiefs and has twice made the Pro Bowl. He's a great pass-blocking offensive lineman, and pairing him with Tyler Smith and Zack Martin would make this the best interior offensive line in the league.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Kyle Pitts, TE
Original Pick: Rashawn Slater
Kyle Pitts was the first tight end since Mike Ditka to post 1,000 yards during his rookie season. Injuries have sidetracked his career since, but he would be a perfect fit alongside Justin Herbert for the foreseeable future.
Can you imagine the numbers Pitts would post if he played with Herbert for his entire career?
14. New York Jets: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL
Original Pick: Vera-Tucker
Alijah Vera-Tucker has played only 28 games in three seasons with the Jets, but he's been outstanding whenever he has been on the field. Given his ability to play tackle and guard, the Jets stick with the former USC star here at No. 14.
15. New England Patriots: Nico Collins, WR
Original Pick: Mac Jones
It took Nico Collins a few years to finally break out, but he has developed into a true No. 1 receiver and earned a massive contract extension this offseason. The New England Patriots have been searching for a dominant receiver, and they finally got on here with Collins.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Christian Barmore, DT
Original Pick: Zaven Collins
After falling to the second round of this draft, Christian Barmore goes at No. 16 in this re-draft. He has been an anchor on the Patriots' defensive line and was just rewarded with a massive contract this offseason. Barmore was also one of the youngest players in the 2021 NFL Draft, and he is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE
Original Pick: Alex Leatherwood
It's really unfortunate that Jaelan Phillips tore his Achilles at the end of the 2023 season because he was on his way to stardom in Miami. Phillips has recorded 22.0 sacks in 26 career starts (42 games) and is among the best pure pass rushers in the league.
Pairing him with Maxx Crosby would keep offensive coordinators in the AFC up at night.
18. Miami Dolphins: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE
Original Pick: Jaelan Phillips
With Phillips off the board one pick ahead of the Dolphins, they select his former teammate at Miami, Gregory Rousseau. While Rousseau isn't as polished as Phillips, he's an intriguing player with upside.
He's recorded 17 sacks in three seasons and started 46 games. Rousseau is just 24 years old, so the Dolphins are betting that his best is yet to come.
19. Washington Commanders: Sam Cosmi, OL
Original Pick: Jamin Davis
The Commanders stole Sam Cosmi in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but they have to get him much earlier in this mock. Cosmi started his career at right tackle, but he's found a home at right guard, where he played the entire 2023 season.
Cosmi has Pro Bowl upside at guard and position flexibility to play multiple spots in a pinch.
20. New York Giants: Trey Smith, OG
Original Pick: Kadarius Toney
Trey Smith fell to the sixth round due to a medical issue. But in this re-draft, he goes at pick No. 20 to the New York Giants. Smith is a mammoth offensive guard who has started a combined 60 games (including playoffs) for the Chiefs during the last three years. Smith would really help the Giants' weak interior offensive line.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Tyson Campbell, CB
Original Pick: Kwity Paye
Tyson Campbell was one of the NFL's top cornerbacks during the 2022 season. However, he was limited to just 11 games in 2023 because of an injury. The good news is that he is fully healthy heading into the 2024 season and is widely viewed as a top-10 cornerback in the league.
The Indianapolis Colts have not had a true No. 1 cornerback for some time, but Campbell's addition solves that.
22. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB
Original Pick: Caleb Farley
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is the prototypical linebacker in the 2020s. He can fly to the football and excels in coverage. He is coming off the best season of his career and should be better in Year 4. There aren't very many linebackers in the NFL that are more valuable than "JOK" heading into the 2024 season.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Kwity Paye, EDGE
Original Pick: Christian Darrisaw
Kwity Paye has improved in each of the Colts' last three seasons. During the 2023 season, he recorded 8.5 sacks and started 16 games. It's clear that his arrow is pointing way up, and he would be a strong value at No. 23 to the Vikings.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Talanoa Hufanga, S
Original Pick: Najee Harris
Talanoa Hufanga has established himself as one of the NFL's best box safeties, but a torn ACL ended his 2023 season prematurely. Still, he is a fantastic fit with Minkiah Fitzpatrick, giving the Pittsburgh Steelers one of the best safety duos in the league.
Hufanga was an All-Pro selection during the 2022 season, recording four interceptions and two forced fumbles. His playmaking and physicality would allow him to fit in perfectly in Pittsburgh.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Etienne, RB
Original Pick: Etienne
Drafting running backs in the first round is usually a bad idea, but the Jacksonville Jaguars have gotten their money's worth from Travis Etienne during the last two seasons.
He's racked up 580 touches for 2,295 yards and 12 touchdowns since 2022, proving to be a true work-horse back. He might not be a top-five running back in the NFL, but he isn't far off.
26. Cleveland Browns: Jevon Holland, S
Original Pick: Greg Newsome
The Cleveland Browns selected Greg Newsome at this spot, but they go in a different direction in this re-draft with so much cornerback depth already on their roster.
Instead, they take Jevon Holland, who has developed into one of the best free safeties in the NFL. Putting him in a Jim Schwartz defense would be downright unfair.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Asante Samuel Jr., CB
Original Pick: Rashod Bateman
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the best defenses in the NFL, but they've had to cover up some weaknesses at cornerback.
Asante Samuel Jr. is one of the best inside-outside cornerbacks in the league and would pair well with Marlon Humphrey. Samuel has recorded 35 pass deflections in 43 starts.
28. New Orleans Saints: Greg Newsome, CB
Original Pick: Payton Turner
Marshon Lattimore has struggled to stay on the field during the last few years, and the New Orleans Saints have a weakness at cornerback.
Greg Newsome would help fix that need, giving them a cornerback who can play in the slot and on the outside. He falls here due to some injury concerns, as he's missed at least two games each season. Still, this is a massive value for the Saints at No. 28.
29. Green Bay Packers: Osa Odighizuwa, DT
Original Pick: Eric Stokes
Osa Odighizuwa is an undersized defensive tackle who took a huge leap in Year 3. His pass-rush win rate was among the best in the NFL at defensive tackle, and he had a career-high 10 quarterback knockdowns. His best skill is rushing the passer, and pairing him with Kenny Clark would be a sight to see.
30. Buffalo Bills: Jaycee Horn, CB
Original Pick: Gregory Rousseau
The Buffalo Bills hoped Kaiir Elam would develop into a No. 1 cornerback, but that never happened. Jaycee Horn has shown that type of ability but needs to stay on the field.
He's appeared in just 22 games in three seasons but has all the talent in the world to be an elite player.
31. Baltimore Ravens: Quinn Meinerz, OL
Original Pick: Odafe Oweh
The Ravens selected Tyler Linderbaum in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft, which has worked well. So they return to the well and select Quinn Meinerz here in this re-draft. Meinerz can play guard and center, giving the Ravens even more flexibility on their offensive line.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alim McNeil, DT
Original Pick: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have invested heavily in their defensive line because they know the importance of a strong front. Alim McNeil can play both defensive tackle spots and would fit perfectly with Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey.
While this might not be a "need" pick, McNeil is the best player available and would make them even stronger on the defensive line.
Marcus Mosher
Marcus Mosher is an NFL writer and analyst with a decade of experience in podcasting and writing for various NFL websites, including Bleacher Report, Pro Football Focus and The Athletic. He covers the NFL from a betting and fantasy perspective, producing written and video content. He is the host of the Locked On Cowboys Podcast and is a managing editor at USA Today Sports Media Group covering the Las Vegas Raiders. Marcus has been working full-time covering the NFL since 2015.
