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.
#NFL #Redraft #Top #Picks #Change #Year #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.
![WATCH | Sanjay Manjrekar breaks down the technical change behind Sanju Samson’s recent success It has been a 2026 to remember for Sanju Samson. After initially being dropped from India’s T20 team the 31-year-old returned to the team in memorable fashion, smashing three fifties in three knockout matches as India romped home to its third T20 World Cup title.He has carried that form forward into his maiden stint with Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026, smashing two centuries in his first eight outings, and has been the lone bright spark in what has been a tough season for the Chennai Super Kings batting group with 304 runs at an average of 50.66 and strike-rate of 169.83. This recent form is the culmination of a recent turnaround for the batter, who has added the element of consistency to his much-vaunted batting style. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHZKfnILQsI[/embed]It is a change that Sanjay Manjrekar puts down to a technical change. “He has this very beautiful stance, slightly open and nicely balanced, very relaxed. Now, earlier, he had this one movement, a small step forward. And from this position, his whole batting would happen,” Manjrekar explained on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.“Now, what he has started doing in the same position, he goes right back. Now, the ball is further away from me, so I’m able to pull it and there is more time for me to react to that ball.”ALSO READ: Sanjay Manjrekar: KL Rahul can bat at any position, provided he doesn’t think his wicket matters “The other thing that happens is when you go right back, the bowler sort of becomes a little slower because I’m further away from him. So I get a little more time,” he further explained. Manjrekar also noted that Samson had added another shot to his repertoire, the dab to third man. “When there is a good ball that’s bowled very close to him, he’s doing a little tap down to the third man. If he was in the original position, there was no way he would be able to play that.”“So basically what he’s done is gone back and he’s made all these balls, good balls, scoring deliveries.“The one ball that can trouble him, if there’s a smart bowler, is if he pitches the ball right up and that troubles him. But he’s also a good front foot player, so if the pitch is not lively, the ball is not moving much, he’s able to drive off the front foot,’ Manjrekar concluded.Manjrekar also said that Samson’s mentality has contributed to his success, saying, ”Mentally he’s a very interesting character. He’s a very relaxed guy, and it’s not an act, he is genuinely relaxed.”“In the T20 World Cup, the thing to like about him was the demeanour he has. He played a game and was dropped, but when he came back, he was OK to get out, he didn’t mind getting out. He’s not someone who, because he was out of the team and needs to prove himself, will just pick up the ones and twos, and be the anchor. He’s very selfless. That is the thing to like about him.”Published on May 01, 2026 #WATCH #Sanjay #Manjrekar #breaks #technical #change #Sanju #Samsons #success](https://i0.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/eqrakg/article70928975.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/APTOPIX_India_IPL_Cricket_74271.jpg?ssl=1 "WATCH | Sanjay Manjrekar breaks down the technical change behind Sanju Samson’s recent success It has been a 2026 to remember for Sanju Samson. After initially being dropped from India’s T20 team the 31-year-old returned to the team in memorable fashion, smashing three fifties in three knockout matches as India romped home to its third T20 World Cup title.He has carried that form forward into his maiden stint with Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026, smashing two centuries in his first eight outings, and has been the lone bright spark in what has been a tough season for the Chennai Super Kings batting group with 304 runs at an average of 50.66 and strike-rate of 169.83. This recent form is the culmination of a recent turnaround for the batter, who has added the element of consistency to his much-vaunted batting style. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHZKfnILQsI[/embed]It is a change that Sanjay Manjrekar puts down to a technical change. “He has this very beautiful stance, slightly open and nicely balanced, very relaxed. Now, earlier, he had this one movement, a small step forward. And from this position, his whole batting would happen,” Manjrekar explained on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.“Now, what he has started doing in the same position, he goes right back. Now, the ball is further away from me, so I’m able to pull it and there is more time for me to react to that ball.”ALSO READ: Sanjay Manjrekar: KL Rahul can bat at any position, provided he doesn’t think his wicket matters “The other thing that happens is when you go right back, the bowler sort of becomes a little slower because I’m further away from him. So I get a little more time,” he further explained. Manjrekar also noted that Samson had added another shot to his repertoire, the dab to third man. “When there is a good ball that’s bowled very close to him, he’s doing a little tap down to the third man. If he was in the original position, there was no way he would be able to play that.”“So basically what he’s done is gone back and he’s made all these balls, good balls, scoring deliveries.“The one ball that can trouble him, if there’s a smart bowler, is if he pitches the ball right up and that troubles him. But he’s also a good front foot player, so if the pitch is not lively, the ball is not moving much, he’s able to drive off the front foot,’ Manjrekar concluded.Manjrekar also said that Samson’s mentality has contributed to his success, saying, ”Mentally he’s a very interesting character. He’s a very relaxed guy, and it’s not an act, he is genuinely relaxed.”“In the T20 World Cup, the thing to like about him was the demeanour he has. He played a game and was dropped, but when he came back, he was OK to get out, he didn’t mind getting out. He’s not someone who, because he was out of the team and needs to prove himself, will just pick up the ones and twos, and be the anchor. He’s very selfless. That is the thing to like about him.”Published on May 01, 2026 #WATCH #Sanjay #Manjrekar #breaks #technical #change #Sanju #Samsons #success")
![Carrick hopeful of Cunha return as Manchester United hosts Liverpool in Champions League race Manchester United boss Michael Carrick is hopeful Matheus Cunha will be fit to return when his side hosts Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday in one of football’s fiercest rivalries, with both teams chasing Champions League qualification.United, third in the Premier League, needs two more points to secure a top-five finish and a return to Europe’s elite competition next season, while fourth-placed Liverpool is looking to strengthen its own Champions League position in a congested race.Carrick said Cunha had returned to light training after a recent setback.“We are in good shape really,” Carrick told reporters on Friday. “Matheus has done a little bit of work, so we are hopeful. With Luke [Shaw], we aren’t sure if he will be ready but we are hopeful. Matthijs [de Ligt] is still a little bit further, he won’t be involved in the game.“Other than that, we are in good shape.”The possible return of Cunha, who missed Monday’s 2-1 win over Brentford with a hip flexor injury, would be a timely boost for United in a fixture Carrick said retains its intensity regardless of league position.“It’s certainly always been one of my favourite games, without a doubt. It is a standout game,” he said.“Because of the history, the ups and downs this match-up has produced in the past, the entertainment and the emotion, all of those things make it a really special game.”United has climbed steadily since Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim midway through the campaign, putting itself in position to finish above holder Liverpool and secure Champions League football with games to spare.“It shows the improvements of the group, we are getting stronger,” Carrick said. “We come into this game in such a good position off the back of good results and trying to achieve what we want.“But it is a one-off game. The league position is what it is but Sunday’s a whole different ball game.”Carrick has also restored academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo to the heart of the side, with the midfielder recently signing a new five-year deal after being marginalised earlier in the season under Amorim.ALSO READ: Jose Mourinho says no contact has been made with Real Madrid“He epitomises this football club,” Carrick said. “He is a young player who has come through the academy, is living and breathing the club, and has come through with real talent.“The natural thing for him was to sign a new contract so everyone is over the moon with it, including me because I think he deserves it.”Mainoo has started 12 of Carrick’s 13 league matches in charge, missing one game due to injury, underlining his renewed importance as United looks to finish strongly.Despite the league stakes, Carrick stressed the wider significance of a fixture that has shaped English football for decades.“When I think about this game, the first thing that comes to mind is that air of competition really, irrespective of league positions over the years,” he said. “That emotion of the players and supporters has never changed.“Two incredible football clubs … to have such an impact over such a period of time is quite special and we all appreciate that.”United has 61 points from 34 games, 12 behind leader Arsenal, while Liverpool is three points behind United and level on points with fifth-placed Aston Villa.Published on May 01, 2026 #Carrick #hopeful #Cunha #return #Manchester #United #hosts #Liverpool #Champions #League #race](https://i0.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/65qm0v/article70929338.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/2026-04-18T190824Z_1934087911_UP1EM4I1H5YY8_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-CHE-MUN.JPG?ssl=1 "Carrick hopeful of Cunha return as Manchester United hosts Liverpool in Champions League race Manchester United boss Michael Carrick is hopeful Matheus Cunha will be fit to return when his side hosts Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday in one of football’s fiercest rivalries, with both teams chasing Champions League qualification.United, third in the Premier League, needs two more points to secure a top-five finish and a return to Europe’s elite competition next season, while fourth-placed Liverpool is looking to strengthen its own Champions League position in a congested race.Carrick said Cunha had returned to light training after a recent setback.“We are in good shape really,” Carrick told reporters on Friday. “Matheus has done a little bit of work, so we are hopeful. With Luke [Shaw], we aren’t sure if he will be ready but we are hopeful. Matthijs [de Ligt] is still a little bit further, he won’t be involved in the game.“Other than that, we are in good shape.”The possible return of Cunha, who missed Monday’s 2-1 win over Brentford with a hip flexor injury, would be a timely boost for United in a fixture Carrick said retains its intensity regardless of league position.“It’s certainly always been one of my favourite games, without a doubt. It is a standout game,” he said.“Because of the history, the ups and downs this match-up has produced in the past, the entertainment and the emotion, all of those things make it a really special game.”United has climbed steadily since Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim midway through the campaign, putting itself in position to finish above holder Liverpool and secure Champions League football with games to spare.“It shows the improvements of the group, we are getting stronger,” Carrick said. “We come into this game in such a good position off the back of good results and trying to achieve what we want.“But it is a one-off game. The league position is what it is but Sunday’s a whole different ball game.”Carrick has also restored academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo to the heart of the side, with the midfielder recently signing a new five-year deal after being marginalised earlier in the season under Amorim.ALSO READ: Jose Mourinho says no contact has been made with Real Madrid“He epitomises this football club,” Carrick said. “He is a young player who has come through the academy, is living and breathing the club, and has come through with real talent.“The natural thing for him was to sign a new contract so everyone is over the moon with it, including me because I think he deserves it.”Mainoo has started 12 of Carrick’s 13 league matches in charge, missing one game due to injury, underlining his renewed importance as United looks to finish strongly.Despite the league stakes, Carrick stressed the wider significance of a fixture that has shaped English football for decades.“When I think about this game, the first thing that comes to mind is that air of competition really, irrespective of league positions over the years,” he said. “That emotion of the players and supporters has never changed.“Two incredible football clubs … to have such an impact over such a period of time is quite special and we all appreciate that.”United has 61 points from 34 games, 12 behind leader Arsenal, while Liverpool is three points behind United and level on points with fifth-placed Aston Villa.Published on May 01, 2026 #Carrick #hopeful #Cunha #return #Manchester #United #hosts #Liverpool #Champions #League #race")
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