2005 NFL Draft Re-Do

By Brian Kalchik

2005 NFL Re-Draft

2005 NFL Draft — There's nothing like revisiting previous NFL drafts to see where NFL teams got it right or wrong on draft day. Although there are multiple factors that determine if a prospect plays up to expectations, it's still fun to have a do-over and see how the NFL Draft might have changed.

Here's how I would re-do the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft with this in mind.

For 2006, visit http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2014/04/16/2006-nfl-draft-re-do/

1. San Francisco 49ers

Aaron Rodgers Packers

1. San Francisco 49ers

Aaron Rodgers Packers — Original Pick: Alex Smith

Re-Draft Pick: Aaron Rodgers

If the 49ers could do it all again, the pick here is Rodgers and no one else. The former Super Bowl MVP has emerged as one of the top four quarterbacks in football today.

2. Miami Dolphins

Frank Gore 49ers

2. Miami Dolphins

Frank Gore 49ers — Original Pick: Ronnie Brown

Re-Draft Pick: Frank Gore

The five-time Pro Bowler Gore, is unquestionably one of the top backs in the NFL. He is exactly what the Dolphins needed after Ricky Williams went through his first retirement.

3. Cleveland Browns

DeMarcus Ware Cowboys

3. Cleveland Browns

DeMarcus Ware Cowboys — Original Pick: Braylon Edwards

Re-Draft Pick: DeMarcus Ware

Ware will go down as one of the most disruptive defenders in the past decade following a decorated career that features 117 sacks and 32 forced fumbles so far. Ware would've elevated the Browns' defense and put fear in offenses in the AFC North.

4. Chicago Bears

Logan Mankins Patriots

4. Chicago Bears

Logan Mankins Patriots — Original Pick: Cedric Benson

Re-Draft Pick: Logan Mankins

The city of Chicago always appreciates a tough, hard-nosed player in the trenches. Logan Mankins definitely fits this description as a tenacious interior blocker with nasty intentions. He would have fixed Chicago's recent offensive line woes.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Shawne Merriman Chargers

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Shawne Merriman Chargers — Original Pick: Cadillac Williams

Re-Draft Pick: Shawne Merriman

Merriman was one of the league's most explosive pass rusher in the mid 2000s, but injuries hampered his career. Imagine the Tampa Two defense with a rusher like Merriman opposite Simeon Rice.

6. Tennessee Titans

Rodddy White Falcons

6. Tennessee Titans

Roddy White Falcons — Original Pick: Pacman Jones

Re-Draft Pick: Roddy White

White turned out to be a steal after being selected in the late 20s in the actual draft. White has been one of the top playmakers at his position throughout his career. With Jeff Fisher known for coaching tough and gritty players, White would've been a great fit for Tennessee's weak receiving corps.

7. Minnesota Vikings

Cameron Wake Dolphins

7. Minnesota Vikings

Cameron Wake Dolphins — Original Pick: Troy Williamson

Re-Draft Pick: Cameron Wake

Wake is a high-energy pass rusher with the speed, quickness and athleticism to wreak havoc off the edges like Jared Allen did with Minnesota. Wake waited until 2009 to take his first NFL snap and his numbers are near the top of the league over the past few seasons.

8. Arizona Cardinals

Jay Ratliff Cowboys

8. Arizona Cardinals

Jay Ratliff Cardinals — Original Pick: Antrel Rolle

Re-Draft Pick: Jay Ratliff

The Dallas Cowboys selected Ratliff in the seventh round of the 2005 draft, with him proving to be one of the biggest steals in recent memory. Based on his career production as a four-time Pro Bowler, Ratliff would have been a great fit in Arizona alongside Darnell Dockett on the Cardinals' defensive line.

9. Washington Redskins

Vincent Jackson Chargers

9. Washington Redskins

Vincent Jackson Chargers — Original Pick: Carlos Rogers

Re-Draft Pick: Vincent Jackson

Vincent Jackson is definitely not among the top five WRs today, but he has emerged as one of the top receivers in the NFL. For a team that had Santana Moss as their No. 1 receiver for many years, Jackson makes sense here for Washington.

10. Detroit Lions

Justin Tuck Giants

10. Detroit Lions

Justin Tuck Giants — Original Pick: Mike Williams

Re-Draft Pick: Justin Tuck

Tuck has been a steady playmaker and leader throughout his career for the New York Giants, helping the team win two Super Bowls. He would've added a different dimension to a talented front line in Detroit that would feature Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley.

11. Dallas Cowboys

Trent Cole Eagles

11. Dallas Cowboys

Trent Cole Eagles — Original Pick: DeMarcus Ware

Re-Draft Pick: Trent Cole

The Eagles originally drafted Cole in the fifth round of the 2005 draft, but he has been a two-time Pro Bowler and has the second-most sacks of any defender in the 2005 class. Cole's skill set would have translated well to Dallas' 3-4 defense.

12. San Diego Chargers

Nick Collins Packers

12. San Diego Chargers

Nick Collins Packers — Original Pick: Shawne Merriman

Re-Draft Pick: Nick Collins

The Packers drafted Collins in the second round and he was one of the best safeties in the NFL during his prime. The former Packer ball hawk's career ended prematurely, and San Diego could have desperately used a ball hawk at safety.

13. New Orleans Saints

Jammal Brown Saints

13. New Orleans Saints

Jammal Brown Saints — Original Pick: Jammal Brown

Re-Draft Pick: Jammal Brown

Brown was one of the best offensive tackles in the game in his prime. Despite playing only four years for the Saints, Brown was the correct pick.

14. Carolina Panthers

Derrick Johnson Chiefs

14. Carolina Panthers

Derrick Johnson Chiefs — Original Pick: Thomas Davis

Re-Draft Pick: Derrick Johnson

Johnson, after some early struggles, has been to the Pro Bowl the past three seasons in Kansas City. With Carolina surrounded by Luke Kuechly and a defensive line, Johnson would have been even better in Carolina.

15. Kansas City Chiefs

Lofa Tatupu Seahawks

15. Kansas City Chiefs

Lofa Tatupu Seahawks — Original Pick: Derrick Johnson

Re-Draft Pick: Lofa Tatupu

Tatupu became one of the top linebackers in the NFL in his first few seasons, helping the Seahawks reach Super Bowl 40 as a rookie. Injuries derailed Tatupu's career, but can you imagine him today with the likes of Tamba Hali and Justin Houston in Kansas City?

16. Houston Texans

Heath Miller Steelers

16. Houston Texans

Heath Miller Steelers — Original Pick: Travis Johnson

Re-Draft Pick: Heath Miller

Johnson was a bust in Houston and was hampered by injuries. Miller has been one of the more durable and consistent tight ends in the NFL and would have given David Carr a valuable security option that the former No. 1 pick never had.

17. Cincinnati Bengals

Antrel Rolle Cardinals

17. Cincinnati Bengals

Antrel Rolle Cardinals — Original Pick: David Pollack

Re-Draft Pick: Antrel Rolle

Rolle was originally drafted as a cover corner, but he has been more effective as a safety. Rolle has been a perennial Pro Bowler for the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants, helping both teams reach the Super Bowl, winning one with New York.

18. Minnesota Vikings

Braylon Edwards Browns

18. Minnesota Vikings

Braylon Edwards Browns — Original Pick: Erasmus James

Re-Draft Pick: Braylon Edwards

Edwards was not among the elite receivers when he played, but he possessed the talent to be one of best receivers in the game during his prime. Edwards would have been a better replacement option for Randy Moss in Minnesota instead of Troy Williamson.

19. St. Louis Rams

Michael Roos Titans

19. St. Louis Rams

Michael Roos Titans — Original Pick: Alex Barron

Re-Draft Pick: Michael Roos

Roos has quietly been a Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle for years, but he is rarely recognized for his efforts in Tennessee. Roos would've solidified the Rams' woeful offensive line play in recent years.

20. Dallas Cowboys

Evan Mathis Panthers

20. Dallas Cowboys

Evan Mathis Panthers — Original Pick: Marcus Spears

Re-Draft Pick: Even Mathis

One of Bill Parcells' few draft mistakes, Marcus Spears was not an impact player for the Cowboys. Given another shot, the Cowboys would have drafted a solid interior blocker like Mathis to fortify their offensive line that has struggled in recent years.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars

Brandon Browner Broncos

21. Jacksonville Jaguars

Brandon Browner Broncos — Original Pick: Matt Jones

Re-Draft Pick: Brandon Browner

Browner was an undrafted free agent in 2005 for the Denver Broncos before starring for the Seattle Seahawks in 2011. Looking back now, a tandem of Browner and Rashean Mathis in Jacksonville would certainly have helped the Jaguars against Peyton Manning.

22. Baltimore Ravens

Barrett Ruud Buccaneers

22. Baltimore Ravens

Barrett Ruud Buccaneers — Original Pick: Mark Clayton

Re-Draft Pick: Barrett Ruud

Ruud became one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for six seasons. His ability to always be around the ball would have fit in well on a very talented defense with the likes of Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis and Bart Scott.

23. Oakland Raiders

Darren Sproles Chargers

23. Oakland Raiders

Darren Sproles Chargers — Original Pick: Fabian Washington

Re-Draft Pick: Darren Sproles

Al Davis has always had a fascination with players with tremendous speed. Sproles has been one of the fastest players in recent memory, and his playmaking skills would have served the Raiders well.

24. Green Bay Packers

Cedric Benson Bears

24. Green Bay Packers

Cedric Benson Bears — Original Pick: Aaron Rodgers

Re-Draft Pick: Cedric Benson

Benson didn't play up to expectations in Chicago, but he was certainly talented enough to be a difference-maker in the right environment. Getting to play with Brett Favre in Green Bay instead of Rex Grossman in Chicago would make any player play harder, not just Benson.

25. Washington Redskins

Luis Castillo Chargers

25. Washington Redskins

Luis Castillo Chargers — Original Pick: Jason Campbell

Re-Draft Pick: Luis Castillo

As a 3-4 defensive end in San Diego, Luis Castillo was one of the more consistent players on a talented San Diego defense. In Washington, Castillo would have been an impact player, but his career with San Diego was cut short due to a broken leg in 2011.

26. Seattle Seahawks

Odell Thurman Bengals

26. Seattle Seahawks

Odell Thurman Bengals — Original Pick: Chris Spencer

Re-Draft Pick: Odell Thurman

For one season, Odell Thurman played like one of the best linebackers in football as a rookie. While suspensions and drug use dogged Thurman, the linebacker would have thrived in a structured system like Seattle instead of the toxic culture that was Cincinnati.

27. Atlanta Falcons

Kerry Rhodes Jets

27. Atlanta Falcons

Kerry Rhodes Jets — Original Pick: Roddy White

Re-Draft Pick: Kerry Rhodes

Kerry Rhodes quietly became one of the top safeties during his career with the Jets and the Cardinals. Rhodes would have been an upgrade over the safeties that Atlanta had in the past nine seasons.

28. San Diego Chargers

Lance Moore Saints

28. San Diego Chargers

Lance Moore Saints — Original Pick: Luis Castillo

Re-Draft Pick: Lance Moore

Originally an undrafted free agent in 2005, Lance Moore went on to be one of Drew Brees' top targets in New Orleans. The Chargers certainty could have used a receiver like Moore in the past few seasons.

29. Indianapolis Colts

Carlos Rogers Redskins

29. Indianapolis Colts

Carlos Rogers Redskins — Original Pick: Marlin Jackson

Re-Draft Pick: Carlos Rogers

Rogers has flown under the radar for most of his career in Washington and San Francisco. With Indianapolis' recent struggles in the back end of their secondary, Rogers would have a good fit for the Colts.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers

Chris Kemoeatu Steelers

30. Pittsburgh Steelers

Chris Kemoeatu Steelers — Original Pick: Heath Miller

Re-Draft Pick: Chris Kemoeatu

The Steelers originally drafted Kemoeatu in the sixth round in 2005, but pick him in the first round here. Kemoeatu was one of the more underrated linemen for the Steelers, who struggled recently to protect Ben Roethlisberger.

31. Philadelphia Eagles

Brandon Jacobs Giants

31. Philadelphia Eagles

Brandon Jacobs Giants — Original Pick: Mike Patterson

Re-Draft Pick: Brandon Jacobs

The Eagles were the best team in football in 2004 and if not for Terrell Owens debacle, the Eagles could very well have gone back in 2005. Jacobs would have been a nice complimentary back to Brian Westbrook in Philadelphia's backfield.

32. New England Patriots

Ronnie Brown Dolphins

32. New England Patriots

Ronnie Brown Dolphins — Original Pick: Logan Mankins

Re-Draft Pick: Ronnie Brown

Looking down the line, the Patriots eventually would have to have had a replacement at running back for Corey Dillon. Why not Ronnie Brown here instead of Laurence Maroney in 2006?