Skill Players
Noticeably missing from this re-draft were several of the top wide receivers in the NFL. Players like Julio Jones, A.J. Green, DeAndre Hopkins, and Tyreek Hill are the most notable absentees. The biggest thing keeping them off this list is their age. Both Jones and Green are on the wrong side of 30, and Green’s recent injuries don’t help.
Hopkins is 27 and probably would have been the next skill player selected. Meanwhile, Hill went undrafted in this fictitious scenario because of his real-life issues away from the field. Even if he avoids suspension from the NFL, his legal issues make him too big of a risk for a team to make the face of the franchise.
Defensive Players
Obviously, the defensive side of the ball is going to be a little overlooked in a draft like this, as only eight of the 32 players selected playing defense. Most of the eight defensive players are pass rushers, as they make the most impact. Defensive backs like Jalen Ramsey and Eddie Jackson were considered, but they don’t play a premium position, so it’s hard to take them in the 1st Round.
In fairness, a couple of middle linebackers were selected, and Bobby Wagner was given consideration, although his age kept him from being selected in the 1st Round. The same is true for a player like Fletcher Cox, who could anchor a defense for a few more years but isn’t young enough to be a long-term asset for a franchise.