2025 NFL Redraft: How the Top 10 Picks Would Change One Year Later | Deadspin.com
Jan 4, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) stands on the sidelines with his right arm in a sling during the third quarter after a shoulder injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images First-time GM Mike Borgonzi confessed last spring that his mind was made up months before the Tennessee Titans turned in a card with Cam Ward’s name on it as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
But how many teams behind him feel the same way about the pick they made in the top 10 last April?
Let’s investigate how 11 and a half months might have impacted hindsight in the ’25 draft. Here’s what the top 10 might look like if a re-do was possible.
Tennessee Titans Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Ward learned — and felt — about the pressure of being the true center of a long-term rebuild. He has the most upside of any of the quarterbacks from his draft class due to a flexible arm and great athleticism.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
A costly trade put the Jaguars in this spot instead of the Browns. Jacksonville swung from the fences and Heisman winner Travis Hunter served up an incomplete grade as a rookie. He ended the season on IR and never fully settled at wide receiver or cornerback. The Jaguars succeeded despite an offensive line that would’ve been far better with Membou in front of Trevor Lawrence, who found plenty of capable hands to throw to sans Hunter.
3. New York Giants: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Nov 30, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half during the Territorial Cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Abdul Carter’s undeniable ceiling is greatness. His maturity, physically and emotionally, was a negative last season. Bringing in McMillan would mean Jaxson Dart would get another trusted wide receiver. A pairing with Malik Nabers would be dynamic given their skills in contested-catch situations.
New England Patriots: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
Will Campbell didn’t end the season on a high note. Banks was comparable most of the year but by the end of the season, Banks was clearly closer to being a foundational pass blocker.
Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Graham was hell on wheels for interior linemen to account for as Myles Garrett stormed the pocket off the edge. He can create interior pressure and wasn’t easy to block one-on-one as a rookie.
Las Vegas Raiders: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Oct 19, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51) reacts after a play against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Ashton Jeanty was a non-factor because the Raiders were always playing catchup and trying to do so with a suspect offensive line and shaky quarterback. Carter would have filled a traditional foundational need and provided some help in pass rush to benefit Maxx Crosby and a shaky secondary.
New York Jets: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Membou was a big hit, but he’s off the board in this exercise. Campbell was solid before tapering off near the end of the season but might’ve been better on the right side for the Jets.
Carolina Panthers: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
The Defensive Rookie of the Year talent at the LB position would have been a big hit with GM Dan Morgan, who was a similar type of player in his prime with Carolina.
9. New Orleans Saints: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Throughly thrilled with Banks as a rookie, if he was gone, the Saints might’ve looked at skill position talent. Or someone like Emmanwori to deploy in a defensive chess piece role. He lived in the box for the Super Bowl champion Seahawks.
Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
What’s not to love? Loveland over Tyler Warren was one of the draft’s surprises in the top half of the first round. Warren did just fine with the Colts but Loveland was better.
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First-time GM Mike Borgonzi confessed last spring that his mind was made up months before the Tennessee Titans turned in a card with Cam Ward’s name on it as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
But how many teams behind him feel the same way about the pick they made in the top 10 last April?
Let’s investigate how 11 and a half months might have impacted hindsight in the ’25 draft. Here’s what the top 10 might look like if a re-do was possible.
Tennessee Titans Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Ward learned — and felt — about the pressure of being the true center of a long-term rebuild. He has the most upside of any of the quarterbacks from his draft class due to a flexible arm and great athleticism.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
A costly trade put the Jaguars in this spot instead of the Browns. Jacksonville swung from the fences and Heisman winner Travis Hunter served up an incomplete grade as a rookie. He ended the season on IR and never fully settled at wide receiver or cornerback. The Jaguars succeeded despite an offensive line that would’ve been far better with Membou in front of Trevor Lawrence, who found plenty of capable hands to throw to sans Hunter.
3. New York Giants: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Abdul Carter’s undeniable ceiling is greatness. His maturity, physically and emotionally, was a negative last season. Bringing in McMillan would mean Jaxson Dart would get another trusted wide receiver. A pairing with Malik Nabers would be dynamic given their skills in contested-catch situations.
New England Patriots: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
Will Campbell didn’t end the season on a high note. Banks was comparable most of the year but by the end of the season, Banks was clearly closer to being a foundational pass blocker.
Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Graham was hell on wheels for interior linemen to account for as Myles Garrett stormed the pocket off the edge. He can create interior pressure and wasn’t easy to block one-on-one as a rookie.
Las Vegas Raiders: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Ashton Jeanty was a non-factor because the Raiders were always playing catchup and trying to do so with a suspect offensive line and shaky quarterback. Carter would have filled a traditional foundational need and provided some help in pass rush to benefit Maxx Crosby and a shaky secondary.
New York Jets: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Membou was a big hit, but he’s off the board in this exercise. Campbell was solid before tapering off near the end of the season but might’ve been better on the right side for the Jets.
Carolina Panthers: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
The Defensive Rookie of the Year talent at the LB position would have been a big hit with GM Dan Morgan, who was a similar type of player in his prime with Carolina.
9. New Orleans Saints: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Throughly thrilled with Banks as a rookie, if he was gone, the Saints might’ve looked at skill position talent. Or someone like Emmanwori to deploy in a defensive chess piece role. He lived in the box for the Super Bowl champion Seahawks.
Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
What’s not to love? Loveland over Tyler Warren was one of the draft’s surprises in the top half of the first round. Warren did just fine with the Colts but Loveland was better.


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