Hindsight, as the old adage goes, is 20-20.
With that in mind, we asked Yardbarker NFL writers to re-do the 2022 NFL Draft first round. That draft, of course, included Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy as "Mr. Irrelevant," the 262nd and final selection of the seven-round event.
Who knew then that Purdy — now a star with the San Francisco 49ers and an NFL MVP candidate — would be so good? Not ESPN, which had him as the 14th-best QB in the draft. And not NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein, who wrote of Purdy, "He's a scrappy runner but not dynamic enough to make up for his shortcomings as a passer."
Jacksonville, you're on the clock (again).
1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia | RE-DRAFT: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan | In taking Walker, the Jaguars were clearly aiming to upgrade their pass rush. Despite their sack numbers being similar this season (10 for Walker to 11.5), Detroit's Hutchinson has by far been the more productive pass-rusher the past two seasons, besting Walker in every major statistical category, including sacks (21 to 13.5). — Michael Gallagher
2. DETROIT LIONS: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan | RE-DRAFT: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati | With Hutchinson off the board, the Lions grab arguably the best cornerback to add to a pass defense ranked 27th (247.4 YPG) in the NFL. Gardner (Jets) is a shoo-in to earn his second All-Pro nod in as many seasons and has already gained the reputation as an elite shutdown defender. — Mike Santa Barbara
3. HOUSTON TEXANS: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU | RE-DRAFT: DaRon Bland, CB, Fresno State | Taking Stingley Jr. over Sauce Gardner was a decision questioned by many at the time, and given a re-do, there’s no way Houston makes the same mistake and doesn’t come away with a top cornerback. Dallas' Bland is having an All-Pro-caliber season, leading the league in interceptions (nine) and defensive touchdowns (five). — Michael Gallagher
4. NEW YORK JETS: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati | RE-DRAFT: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State | With Gardner off the board, the Jets pivot to Wilson, who was originally selected 10th overall by the team and has flashed elite potential despite dealing with arguably the NFL's worst quarterback situation. The 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year has caught 178 passes for 2,145 yards and seven touchdowns since debuting, making him the first wideout in franchise history to start his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. — Colum Dell
5. NEW YORK GIANTS: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon | RE-DRAFT: Brock Purdy, QB, Iowa State | He won’t have San Francisco’s weapons, but with Purdy in the building, New York won’t need to pay Daniel Jones $160M to run the league’s most irrelevant passing offense. Only Dak Prescott (36) and Jordan Love (32) had more touchdown passes this season than Purdy (31), who threw for 4,280 yards. — Bruce Ewing
6. CAROLINA PANTHERS: Ikem Ekwonu, OL, N.C. State | RE-DRAFT: Rasheed Walker, OL, Penn State | The Panthers need plenty of help, and while it would be tempting to add wide receiver Chris Olave (Saints) with the No. 6 pick, Carolina still adds to its offensive line. However, instead of Ekwonu — who allowed 10 sacks this season per Pro Football Focus and acknowledged recently the 2023 season was humbling — the Panthers select Packers seventh-rounder Rasheed Walker, who ranked second in ESPN’s pass-rush win-rate rankings among offensive tackles. — Eric Smithling
7. NEW YORK GIANTS: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama | RE-DRAFT: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon | Thibodeaux’s Giants career got off to a slow start, but he finished 2022 with 33 solo tackles (including six for losses) and four sacks. This season, he led the team with 11.5 sacks and added three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. — Bruce Ewing
8. ATLANTA FALCONS: Drake London, WR, USC | RE-DRAFT: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia | Walker’s free-fall ends with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft coming home. The Georgia native hasn’t lived up to his draft potential, but he’d be a welcome addition to a defense that only has 63 sacks since the start of the 2022 season. — Eric Smithling
9. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State | RE-DRAFT: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame | Hamilton would be the impact safety Seattle was hoping to get when it traded for Jamal Adams in 2020. Hamilton has the athleticism to cover (four interceptions and 18 passes defensed in his career) and the size (6-foot-4 and 220 pounds) and strength to stop the run (14 tackles for loss in two seasons). Plus, he is a lights-out pass rusher (five career sacks and nine quarterback hits). — Adam Gretz
10. NEW YORK JETS: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State | RE-DRAFT: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU | New York lands a cornerback in Stingley, the original No. 3 overall pick of the Texans. The LSU product has been effective when healthy, ranking as Pro Football Focus' 10th-highest-graded cornerback this season for racking up five interceptions in 11 games and allowing a 47.9% completion rate. — Colum Dell
11. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State | RE-DRAFT: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State | The Saints hit a home run with their first pick of the 2022 draft, so there’s no need for a do-over. The former Buckeyes wideout has 2,165 career receiving yards, 20 more than former college teammate Garrett Wilson. — Eric Smithling
12. DETROIT LIONS: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama | RE-DRAFT: Drake London, WR, USC | The 22-year-old has shown tremendous ability with the Falcons despite the team's inconsistent play at QB, having surpassed two-time All-Pro Julio Jones for the most receptions (141) by a receiver through his first two seasons in franchise history. He'd become another explosive weapon for QB Jared Goff and likely impact an already dangerous Lions offense from day one. — Mike Santa Barbara
13. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia | RE-DRAFT: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia | Analyst Brian Baldinger, a former NFL player, isn’t a fan, but a 6-foot-6, 336-pound defensive tackle with 4.78 speed is still too hard for the Eagles to resist. Even in a down year, Davis offers plenty of upside for a team that believes in building out from the trenches. — Bruce Ewing
14. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame | RE-DRAFT: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa | The Ravens stole Linderbaum with pick No. 25 but will gladly take him here with Kyle Hamilton already off the board. Linderbaum, who has allowed zero sacks this season, is already one of the NFL’s best centers and rightfully just earned his first Pro Bowl selection. — Aaron Becker
15. HOUSTON TEXANS: Kenyon Green, Guard, Texas A&M | RE-DRAFT: Cole Strange, Guard, Chattanooga | The interior offensive line is still an issue for the Texans, who’ve gotten just one season out of Green since drafting him (he was placed on season-ending injured reserve in August with a shoulder injury). Strange has allowed fewer pressures (45 to 47) and QB hits (four to 12) in two seasons with the Patriots than Green allowed in one with the Texans, and he’s only surrendered two more hurries and four more sacks despite playing in 12 more games. — Michael Gallagher
16. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State | RE-DRAFT: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan | After allowing the second-most sacks (65) in 2023, Washington desperately needs help along the offensive line. Rated by Pro Football Focus as the NFL’s fourth-best tackle and best from the 2022 draft, Raimann (a third-round pick of the Colts) would be a substantial upgrade over left tackle Cornelius Lucas. — Bruce Ewing
17. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: Zion Johnson, OL Boston College | RE-DRAFT: Isaiah Pacheco, RB | The Chargers are 25th in the league in rushing yards (96.6), and Austin Ekeler had a career-low 3.5 yards per carry. Taking Pacheco -— whom the Chiefs selected with the 251st pick — would be smart; he had 935 yards rushing this season for Kansas City. — Clark Dalton
18. TENNESSEE TITANS: Treylon Burks, WR Arkansas | RE-DRAFT: George Pickens, WR, Georgia | Burks was supposed to be A.J. Brown 2.0, but thanks to a battle with asthma and a series of injuries, he has only 49 receptions and one touchdown. Pickens, meanwhile, has blossomed into a No. 1 WR for the Steelers, averaging close to 17 yards per reception. He is just 59 yards away from reaching 2,000 yards receiving, making him the perfect complement to DeAndre Hopkins in the Titans passing attack. — Michael Gallagher
19. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Trevor Penning, OT Northern Iowa | RE-DRAFT: Tyler Smith, OL, Tulsa | Penning has disappointed through two seasons, limited by injuries in his first season and then benched this season after a rough start. The Saints were correct to pick an offensive lineman here, but they get the much more productive Smith, who effortlessly moved from left tackle to left guard this season for the Cowboys and only allowed one sack and 17 total pressures, per Pro Football Focus. — Eric Smithling
20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh | RE-DRAFT: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State | Although Pickett has shown flashes of being a capable NFL quarterback, the Steelers opt out of drafting him as he has just 13 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions in 25 games. Instead, with George Pickens off the board, they’ll add to their future franchise quarterback’s arsenal with Dotson, who has 84 catches for 1,041 yards and 11 touchdowns through his first two seasons. — Aaron Becker
21. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington | RE-DRAFT: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington | Kansas City made the right choice when it selected McDuffie, who’s becoming one of the best CBs in the league. Pro Football Focus gave him an 82.9 grade in 17 games this season, sixth at his position. — Clark Dalton
22. GREEN BAY PACKERS: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia | RE-DRAFT: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State | The Packers already-suspect secondary could have a huge hole to fill with an $8 million roster bonus due to CB Jaire Alexander on March 20, and Emerson (Browns) fits the bill nicely as a replacement. In 2023, he was one of only seven corners to play 50 percent or more of their team's snaps and allow zero touchdowns, and his 45.3 passer rating against was the second lowest in the NFL. — Mike Santa Barbara
23. BUFFALO BILLS: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida | RE-DRAFT: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State | Buffalo originally selected RB James Cook in the second round, but Hall's superior talent warrants addressing the position earlier, especially since the team has averaged the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL under OC Joe Brady (149.6). After suffering a torn ACL as a rookie, Hall (Jets) returned to form in 2023, amassing 1,584 all-purpose yards and nine total touchdowns while becoming the only NFL tailback with multiple 175-yard rushing performances. — Colum Dell
24. DALLAS COWBOYS: Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa | RE-DRAFT: Tariq “Riq” Woolen, CB, Texas-San Antonio | Originally a fifth-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks, Woolen led the team with 16 passes defended in 2022 and tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions. His numbers were down in 2023 (two interceptions, 11 passes defended), but with 4.26 speed, the 6-foot-4 cornerback offers plenty of upside for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s defense. — Bruce Ewing
25. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Iowa | RE-DRAFT: Boye Mafe, Edge, Minnesota | The Ravens have invested a couple of second-round picks (David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh) in their defensive line over the past few years, but neither has panned out yet. Mafe would instantly become the team’s best pass-rusher — he had nine sacks this season for Seattle. — Aaron Becker
26. NEW YORK JETS: Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State | RE-DRAFT: George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue | While Johnson has emerged as a key component of the stout Jets defensive line in his second season, Karlaftis has been more productive for the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs. The 6-foot-4, 263-pounder generated 64 pressures and 10.5 sacks this season, which ranked second and third, respectively, among second-year edge-rushers. — Colum Dell
27. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah | RE-DRAFT: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia | Lloyd has been solid in the middle of Jacksonville’s defense (242 tackles, 15 passes defensed, four fumble recoveries, three interceptions), but Walker (Green Bay) has been just as good and the more productive sacker (four to zero). Additionally, Walker is more versatile and better than Lloyd in coverage. — Michael Gallagher
28. GREEN BAY PACKERS: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia | RE-DRAFT: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State: Watson has only played in 23 of 34 games due to injury, but he's flashed No. 1 wideout potential, which the Packers will need with the emergence of quarterback Jordan Love. Despite the small sample size, Watson — whom Green Bay selected in the second round in 2022 — ranks 12th in yards per reception (15) and 10th in touchdowns (12) among WRs who’ve played 23 or more games over the past two seasons, per Stathead. — Mike Santa Barbara
29. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Cole Strange, Guard, Tennessee-Chattanooga | RE-DRAFT: Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame | The 2022 NFL Draft marked the fourth time in five years the Patriots selected at least one running back, but they'll correct their mistakes of taking Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris by picking Williams. After an underwhelming rookie season, Williams broke out in 2023 for the Rams, finishing third in the NFL in rushing yards (1,114) and total touchdowns (15) despite playing just 12 games. — Colum Dell
30. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue | RE-DRAFT: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State | With Karlaftis off the board, Kansas City — which finished with the league’s most drops (44) — should select a dependable pass-catcher and find Travis Kelce’s successor. In 16 games, McBride — whom the Cardinals selected with the 55th pick — set career highs in receptions (81), receiving yards (825) and receiving TDs (three). — Clark Dalton
31. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Daxton Hill, Safety, Michigan | RE-DRAFT: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State | The Bengals may have already considered moving on from RB Joe Mixon, who has faced off-the-field issues and may be past his prime (he'll be 28 in July). Drafting Walker III, who’s rushed for 1,955 yards and 17 touchdowns over the past two seasons for Seattle, will help them do exactly that and get cheaper at an undervalued position. — Aaron Becker
32. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Lewis Cine, Safety, Georgia | RE-DRAFT: James Cook, RB, Georgia | Ranked 29th in rushing (91.4 YPG), the Vikings could use a dependable, versatile back who's also adept as a receiver. The 24-year-old Bills RB earned his first 1,000-yard season (1,122) and Pro Bowl nod this season, ranked 10th in the NFL in touches (281) and sixth in scrimmage yards (1,567). — Mike Santa Barbara
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Following his breakout year in 2023, George Pickens was expected to be the WR1 of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the foreseeable future. He had already justified the second-round draft capital that the franchise had initially invested in him, but there were growing concerns about Pickens’ lack of maturity. Fast forward to the 2025 offseason, and even though he’s managed to produce a career total of 2,841 receiving yards throughout his first three seasons in the league, the Steelers were willing to let him go in exchange for nothing more than a 2026 third-round pick and a minuscule value swap with the Dallas Cowboys. While the team has since managed to replace Pickens’ service with that of D.K. Metcalf, fans and analysts alike are still questioning the decision. Thankfully, the self-titled host of The Rich Eisen made the most of his recent discussion with the team’s general manager, Omar Khan, by directly asking him “Why did George Pickens have to go despite developing him?” “I’ll just say, as we went through the offseason and the process, it just became evident that, for both sides, a fresh start was the best thing,” Khan explained. “It just made sense for both of us.” Suffice to say, Khan’s answer, while not very insightful, does suggest that Pickens’ relationships with various Pittsburgh personnel had become fractured beyond repair. Whether it was the Steelers or Pickens himself who was responsible for things not working out does not matter anymore, as Khan’s brief statement brings the entire saga to a somewhat definitive end. For one reason or another, it was no longer in either side’s best interest to continue working together, and that’s that. Much like the rest of his interview with Eisen, Khan and the rest of the Steelers’ organization is now moving forward. When Eisen noted that Pittsburgh’s trade involving Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jalen Ramsey couldn’t have “happened over night,” Khan explained that it took “weeks” to finally get the deal done with the Miami Dolphins. Being sure to cover all of the high notes from the Steelers’ chaotic offseason, the seven-time Sports Emmy award nominee also inquired about T.J. Watt’s latest benchmark contract with the team. While he was unwilling to go into the “specifics of the numbers,” Khan did proclaim that, “I think it just reflects how we feel about him. It was important for me, and the organization, for T.J. to be a one-helmet Hall of Famer. It would be a great thing and hopefully there’s many, many more years to go with T.J., but it was just important. His numbers speak for themselves… As great of a player as he is, he’s an even better person.” At 6-foot-4 and 229-pounds, the aforementioned Metcalf is certainly capable of filling the Pickens-sized hole in Pittsburgh’s receiving core. Likewise, the addition of Ramsey along with their retaining of Watt will help to ensure that the defense is as stout as ever. The Steelers are going all in on the 2025 regular season with the hopes of discovering their first playoff win since January 15th of 2017 and it’s too late for them to turn back now. They’ll have to hope that they’ve made the right moves and prioritized the right signings. Otherwise they’ll risk wasting the final regular season of one of the most storied careers in all of NFL history.
On Thursday, wrestling icon Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea died at the age of 71. "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," the company said in a statement. "One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s... WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans." Hogan was the first true superstar to emerge in the wrestling industry, capturing a casual audience worldwide and bringing new eyes to the sport. He was an unbelievable draw, both as a baby face and as a heel. From his time as an All-American hero to leading the New World Order and teaming with Randy Savage as part of the "Mega Powers," he has been a staple of the scene for decades. Who can forget his WrestleMania III moment, where he defied the laws of physics to body-slam a 520-pound Andre the Giant? Or, more recently, his match with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at WrestleMania 18? His last appearance on WWE RAW on Jan. 6 saw him booed throughout, highlighting the rocky legacy Hogan leaves behind. Hogan's universal popularity has plummeted in recent years, primarily due to a racism scandal that led to his removal from the Wrestling Hall of Fame, only to be reinstated in 2018. Nevertheless, the damage had been done. Hogan's outdated and unwelcome outlook on specific aspects of life derailed the final stanza of a legendary career. Still, there's no denying that without Hogan, the wrestling we know and love today wouldn't exist. There wouldn't be WWE on the world's largest streaming platform, or All Elite Wrestling, which is developing into one of the most successful challenger brands. Instead, there would be smaller, more localized promotions, all competing for a sliver of television time. Hogan popularized the sport by bridging the gap between the wrestling ring and Hollywood. During his time in the spotlight, Hogan appeared in movies such as "Rocky III," "No Holds Barred" and "Suburban Commando," all of which helped bring his larger-than-life persona to a new audience. It's no surprise, then, that The Rock, John Cena and Dave Bautista have all made similar jumps in recent years. Hogan leaves behind an everlasting imprint on the wrestling world. Unfortunately, it comes with multiple asterisks; however, that doesn't change what he achieved as the first global wrestling star.
The New York Yankees didn't come into the season with the strongest third base situation, and it only got worse over time. They converted traditional second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the hot corner after getting him at the Trade Deadline last season and installed a timeshare with him, DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera there in 2025. However, the latter player broke his ankle on May 12, and the Yankees released the now 37-year-old LeMahieu on July 10. Chisholm was primarily back at second at that point, so this left Peraza and Jorbit Vivas as their only true remaining third basemen. With Peraza hitting .147 and Vivas hitting .164, it was clear what the team's biggest need was. That's why it acquired veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies on Friday. New York manager Aaron Boone gave his thoughts about the 30-year-old before Friday's bout with the Philadelphia Phillies, via SNY. "I know there's real offensive potential there. I know he's had real offensive success, as well as some struggles there over the last calendar year or two," he said. "It seems like over the last month he's really started swinging the bat like he's capable of. He can impact the ball, he can control the strike zone, he's had some swing-and-misses that have probably hurt him a little bit." "But then he can really defend over there," he continued. "The handful of times that we've played against them that I watch him, you're like, 'That's what it should look like over there.' He moves really well and has that prototypical good third base thing." McMahon is slashing .217/.314/.403 with 16 homers and 35 RBI over 100 games this season. He also has a .978 fielding percentage and six errors. Right-handed pitcher Will Warren (6-5, 4.91 ERA) will start for the Yankees against Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.75 ERA) on Friday.
The Boston Red Sox appear to have no interest in trading outfielder Jarren Duran, at least not in the near future. Trade rumors have swirled around Duran for most of the season, especially after designated hitter Rafael Devers was traded to the Giants. However, Sean McAdam from MassLive reported that the Red Sox may wait until the offseason before moving on from the former All-Star. The decision to wait on Duran is not due to a lack of offers. McAdam also reported that the Padres made a significant offer for Duran involving pitcher Dylan Cease, catching prospect Ethan Salas and another unnamed prospect. That offer was quickly rejected. The Padres have long coveted Duran. McAdam had previously reported that the Padres have been "relentless" in their pursuit of the Red Sox outfielder. The reported trade offer including Salas, the Padres second-best prospect and the 21st-best prospect in baseball per MLB.com, illustrates how serious they are about acquiring Duran. Likewise, the Red Sox's refusal to entertain such an offer, even as a starting point for negotiations, speaks volumes about their interest in moving Duran. The Padres' offer would help solve several problems for the Red Sox in both the present and future. Moving Duran would help clear up the logjam in the outfield, while Cease and Salas would respectively improve the back of their rotation and provide a possible cornerstone behind the plate going forward. Duran is a valuable trade chip as he is under team control through 2028. He has also taken a step back in production from his stellar showing in 2024, posting a respectable .254/.321/.428 batting line in 459 plate appearances entering Friday, with nine homers and 25 doubles while stealing 16 bases. That production would be an upgrade for several teams looking to improve their outfield going forward. The question is whether or not the Red Sox will be realistic in their asking price for Duran. Considering how quickly the Padres' offer was reportedly rejected, that may not be the case.