As it stands so far, the 2017 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the best and deepest in recent memory. While there were certainly some big misses at the top of the draft, there have also been many bonafide stars and genuine draft steals to come out of this class.
Of course hindsight is 20/20 but if teams could go back to 2017 with the knowledge we know now, how would the top of the 2017 draft turn out?
1. Cleveland Browns
Original Pick: Myles Garrett
New Pick: Patrick Mahomes
While Garrett was the unquestioned No. 1 pick at the time and has developed into a great player in his first few seasons, there's no way that the Browns pass up on 2018 league MVP Patrick Mahomes if they had the opportunity in the NFL Draft.
It's impossible to predict whether Mahomes would succeed in Cleveland like he has in Kansas City but with the amount of talent he possesses, if anyone can do it, it's him.
2. Chicago Bears
Original Pick: Mitchell Trubisky
New Pick: Deshaun Watson
A lot of people at the time questioned the Bears move to trade up in the NFL Draft to select Trubisky over a more experienced QB like Watson. Well, in this re-draft, Chicago has a chance to right the ship.
While things were looking solid for Trubisky as he made the Pro Bowl in only his second season, the former UNC star took a big step back in 2019. Instead, the Bears get a much more talented, composed and consistent player under center who could've capitalized on the Bears excellent defense over the past two seasons.
3. San Francisco 49ers
Original Pick: Solomon Thomas
New Pick: Myles Garrett
While the Niners certainly don't need defensive line help now, they definitely did in 2017. That's why they selected Oregon's Solomon Thomas third in the NFL Draft. Thomas has been big disappointment in his three years in San Francisco but now, the 49ers get Garrett, a player that has already notched 30.5 sacks in only 37 career games.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Original Pick: Leonard Fournette
New Pick: Christian McCaffrey
I really wanted to send McCaffrey to San Francisco as he'd probably be incredible in Kyle Shanahan's offense. However, this is a deep RB class and so, McCaffrey comes in at pick No. 4 in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Fournette was supposed to the next big thing coming out of LSU and while the big, bruising back has shown flashes, he's nothing compared to what McCaffrey has done at the pro level so far.
Now, the Jaguars have arguably the best all-around running back in the NFL to carry their offense.
5. Tennessee Titans
Original Pick: Corey Davis
New Pick: Jamal Adams
Just imagining a safety duo of Jamal Adams and Kevin Byard should put fear into the hearts of opposing offensive coordinators. While the Titans definitely needed a weapon to help out Marcus Mariota here, the allure of picking an All-Pro caliber piece on defense in the NFL Draft is just too much to ignore.
6. New York Jets
Original Pick: Jamal Adams
New Pick: Marshon Lattimore
While the Jets had needs at just about every position going into this NFL Draft, the need to improve their pass defense was definitely obvious.
With Adams now off the board at pick No. 5 in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Jets scoop up Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Lattimore would go on to win Defensive Rookie of the Year for this class and has made two Pro Bowls in three seasons.
7. Los Angeles Chargers
Original Pick: Mike Williams
New Pick: T.J. Watt
The 2016 Chargers had a top-10 scoring offense but ranked 29th in the league in scoring defense. Still, the team opted to add a weapon for QB Philip Rivers in the 2017 NFL Draft.
While the Chargers seemed set with pass rushers at the time as they had Melvin Ingram and 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year Joey Bosa on the roster, imagine the nightmare offensive lines would have to face with Bosa, Ingram and Watt, coming at the quarterback at full speed.
8. Carolina Panthers
Original Pick: Christian McCaffrey
New Pick: Alvin Kamara
A season after making the Super Bowl, the Panthers found themselves picking in the top 10 of the NFL Draft after a disappointing 6-10 season. While the Panthers hit a home run by selecting McCaffrey here, the Stanford back is off the board.
With Jonathan Stewart nearing retirement at the time, the Panthers select his replacement in Alvin Kamara.
While Kamara may not be quite as productive as McCaffrey has been, the three-time Pro Bowler is no mere consolation prize in an NFL Draft.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
Original Pick: John Ross
New Pick: George Kittle
It was hard not to be amazed by Washington wideout John Ross after he broke the 40-yard-dash record at that year's combine and while the speedster hasn't been terrible, injuries have hindered him greatly early in his career.
On the other hand, Kittle has quickly become arguably the best tight end in the league today. A great blocker and elite weapon in the passing game, there's a solid chance Andy Dalton and Marvin Lewis would still be in Cincinnati if Kittle was taken in the NFL Draft.
10. Buffalo Bills
Original Pick: Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City) — traded to Chiefs
New Pick: Tre'davious White
The Bills originally traded this pick of the NFL Draft to the Chiefs in order to move back to Pick No. 27. Buffalo would actually use that No. 27 pick to draft White but with the knowledge of how good White is now, there's no way that the Bills let him pass.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster was another option here as Buffalo definitely needed some more weapons at WR but White has already become an elite cornerback in the NFL. Plus, without White, there's a good chance that the Bills wouldn't have the elite defense they have now.
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