Redrafting 2024 NFL Draft: Bo Nix to Giants, Bucky Irving to Cowboys, athletic linebacker to Chiefs

The Bears go Daniels over Caleb Williams this time around. Kind of a no-brainer.

As someone who watched all dropbacks from every rookie passer in 2024, I contend Williams should go No. 2 in this redraft. His flashes were tremendous. They were just few and far between and mostly came later in the season.

The Patriots are thrilled to retain Maye after he demonstrated some franchise-quarterback traits in his rookie season.

The Cardinals make no mistake about addressing the defensive front with the Defensive Rookie of the Year in Verse.

First real dilemma of the redraft. Do the Chargers stick with their original selection or opt for Malik Nabers? Given Jim Harbaugh’s style, let’s go with Alt. Challenging decision here.

Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll are ecstatic to finally be able to select a quarterback in the draft! Nix has rawness to his game but proved in 2024 he can be a point guard-type who plays well within a YAC-based offense.

The Titans have five million needs, and they haven’t had a true game-changer in the secondary in a while. That’s precisely what DeJean is.

The Falcons have needed a prominent edge-rushing presence for more than a decade. Robinson came into his own down the stretch flying around the corner in his rookie season.

The Bears go Nabers, an easy decision. He’d formulate a ridiculous dynamic duo with Daniels with Ben Johnson at the helm.

The Jets pick the record-setting tight end to take some attention away from Garrett Wilson.

The Vikings think about McCarthy here, but instead plan to re-sign Sam Darnold to a short-term deal and fortify the outside cornerback position with Mitchell.

Without Nix on the roster in this alternate universe, the Broncos roll the dice on McCarthy, and trust he can be an extension of Sean Payton’s mind on the field.

The Raiders get a big, fast athlete at the receiver spot who had a tremendous rookie campaign. This is needed in Las Vegas.

The Saints could select any position here. They have needs galore. McConkey would add more depth to a receiver room in dire need of it.

The Colts are content with Latu, who had a fine albeit unspectacular rookie season on the edge. The outside pass rush has been an issue in Indianapolis for a long time.

The Seahawks go Fiske over their original pick, Byron Murphy, given how strong of a rookie season Fiske had getting after the passer.

Without Thomas Jr. available, the Jaguars pick another towering, physical presence who can win vertically.

The Bengals opt for defense over an offensive tackle given how disastrous the defense was in 2024. Wiggins was rock-solid in all phases as a rookie.

The Rams see their two stud rookies get snagged already, so they opt for the best rookie linebacker to help that side of the ball.

Without a clear plan right now at the quarterback position, the Steelers roll the dice on Penix Jr., who flashed when he was inserted into the Falcons’ lineup late in the season.

The Dolphins fill the void left by Christian Wilkins’ departure last season with the enormous nose tackle from Texas who enjoyed a quality rookie season in Tennessee.

The Eagles miss on Mitchell and DeJean in this redraft (obviously), and find another veteran-like defensive back who’d be plug-and-play

The Vikings make a shrewd selection with their second pick in Round 1 with Puni. He starred at guard for the 49ers in 2024 and played essentially every position up front in college.

I thought about offensive tackle — maybe Taliese Fuaga, Amarius Mims, or the Cowboys’ original pick of Tyler Guyton. Then I realized how much flashier a running back would be for the Cowboys organization, and Irving was the sole rookie back to go over 1,000 yards in 2024. He also caught 47 passes.

Lassiter had a strong season opposite Derek Stingley in Houston, and the Packers secondary is in a state of flux right now.

Frazier over Graham Barton for the Buccaneers to fortify the pivot along their offensive front.

The Cardinals still want a receiver of some kind in this redraft, so they opt for the 40-yard dash record-holder who came on strong in the playoffs for the Chiefs.

The Bills need to add difference-makers to their defensive line who can win in a flash beyond Ed Oliver, and while raw, Hunt has immense pass-rushing upside.

Jones rocked in Jacksonville as a rookie playing in the slot and occasionally on the perimeter. The Lions need that type of player in their secondary.

Green quietly pieced together a steady season in San Francisco on the boundary. Without Wiggins available, the Ravens stay cornerback and pick the former Seminole.

Four interceptions and 10 pass breakups as a rookie was enough for Still to sneak into this redraft.

With plenty of important free agents, the Chiefs could go in plenty of directions, and Wilson would be the instant replacement to Nick Bolton if he signs elsewhere.