2002 NFL Draft Revamp

By Brian Kalchik

2002 NFL Draft Revamp

Ed Reed Ravens — How would the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft look like with hindsight? Here now is my revamp of the 2002 first round.

1. Houston Texans: Ed Reed, FS, Miami (FL)

Ed Reed Ravens

1. Houston Texans: Ed Reed, FS, Miami (FL)

Ed Reed Ravens — Original Pick: David Carr

Carr was doomed to fail in Houston as an expansion team's first overall pick. Reed became one of the best safeties in NFL history, and the Texans would love to have him in his prime rather than way past his prime.

2. Carolina Panthers: Julius Peppers, DE, North Carolina

Julius Peppers Panthers

2. Carolina Panthers: Julius Peppers, DE, North Carolina

Julius Peppers Panthers — Original Pick: Peppers

No need to change this pick here. Peppers is an elite pass rusher who helped get Carolina to Super Bowl XXXVIII and an NFC Championship Game appearance in 2005.

3. Detroit Lions: Dwight Freeney, DE, Syracuse

Dwight Freeney Colts

3. Detroit Lions: Dwight Freeney, DE, Syracuse

Dwight Freeney Colts — Original Pick: Joey Harrington

Harrington was terrible, even with three future first-round picks at receiver. Freeney was a terror off the edge for the Colts, and a major reason why Indianapolis became Super Bowl XLI champions.

4. Buffalo Bills: Bryant McKinnie, OT, Miami (FL)

Bryant McKinnie Vikings

4. Buffalo Bills: Bryant McKinnie, OT, Miami (FL)

Bryant McKinnie Vikings — Original Pick: Mike Williams

Williams was a downright disaster in Buffalo, essentially eating his way out of the league. This time around, McKinnie, one of the best left tackles in the 2000s, would be the pick.

5. San Diego Chargers: James Harrison, OLB, Kent State

James Harrison Steelers

5. San Diego Chargers: James Harrison, OLB, Kent State

James Harrison Steelers — Original Pick: Quentin Jammer

Jammer wasn't a terrible player in San Diego, but he wasn't worthy of a top-five selection. The Chargers now draft Harrison, who would be an excellent rush linebacker in San Diego's 3-4 defense.

6. Kansas City Chiefs: John Henderson, DT, Tennessee

John Henderson Jaguars

6. Kansas City Chiefs: John Henderson, DT, Tennessee

John Henderson Jaguars — Original Pick: Ryan Sims

Ryan Sims wasn't very good in Kansas City while Henderson thrived in Jacksonville. The Chiefs picked the right position, but not the right player.

7. Minnesota Vikings: Clinton Portis, RB, Miami (FL)

Clinton Portis Broncos

7. Minnesota Vikings: Clinton Portis, RB, Miami (FL)

Clinton Portis Broncos — Original Pick: McKinnie

With McKinnie off the board, the Vikings find a annual 1,000-yard rusher in Portis. A combination of Daunte Culpepper, Portis and Randy Moss would've terrorized the NFC North.

8. Dallas Cowboys: Brian Westbrook, RB, Villanova

Brian Westbrook Eagles

8. Dallas Cowboys: Brian Westbrook, RB, Villanova

Brian Westbrook Eagles — Original Pick: Roy Williams

Williams was all-hype with the Cowboys, and never played like a top-10 pick. With Emmitt Smith set to leave, the Cowboys find his replacement in Westbrook. The Cowboys would've loved to have Westbrook on their team instead of with the Eagles.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee

Albert Haynesworth Titans

9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee

Albert Haynesworth Titans — Original Pick: Henderson

With Henderson off the board, the Jaguars find an equal at defensive tackle in Haynesworth. Before he became a locker room cancer in Washington, he was a productive player for the Titans.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Levi Jones, OT, Arizona State

Levi Jones Bengals

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Levi Jones, OT, Arizona State

Levi Jones Bengals — Original Pick: Jones

Even though Jones never made a Pro Bowl, he was an excellent player for the Bengals for seven seasons.

11. Indianapolis Colts: Aaron Kampman, DE, Iowa

Aaron Kampman Packers

11. Indianapolis Colts: Aaron Kampman, DE, Iowa

Aaron Kampman Packers — Original Pick: Freeney

With Freeney off the board, the Colts find another pass rusher in Iowa's Aaron Kampman. Kampman was never an elite pass rusher, but he was an extremely productive player with the Packers.

12. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremy Shockey, TE, Miami (FL)

Jeremy Shockey Giants

12. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremy Shockey, TE, Miami (FL)

Jeremy Shockey Giants — Original Pick: Wendell Bryant

Bryant played just two seasons in the NFL, and was one of the biggest busts in Cardinals history. This time around, the Cards find an elite pass catching tight end in Shockey. The Cardinals haven't had a top-notch tight end since Jackie Smith in the 1970s.

13. New Orleans Saints: Bart Scott, MLB, Southern Illinois

Bart Scott Ravens

13. New Orleans Saints: Bart Scott, MLB, Southern Illinois

Bart Scott Ravens — Original Pick: Donte Stallworth

Stallworth was never healthy enough to justify his selection at No. 13 overall, so the Saints shore up their linebacking position. Scott became a tackling machine with Baltimore and the New York Jets, and would've been just as good in New Orleans.

14. New York Giants: Randy McMichael, TE, Georgia

Randy McMichael Dolphins

14. New York Giants: Randy McMichael, TE, Georgia

Randy McMichael Dolphins — Original Pick: Shockey

With Shockey off the board, the Giants find the next-best pass catching tight end in McMichael. Despite never playing with an elite quarterback, McMichael would have a productive NFL career.

15. Tennessee Titans: Lito Sheppard, CB, Florida

Lito Sheppard Eagles

15. Tennessee Titans: Lito Sheppard, CB, Florida

Lito Sheppard Eagles — Original Pick: Haynesworth

With Haynesworth out of the picture, the Titans shore up their secondary with Sheppard. Jeff Fisher's teams always had questionable secondary play, and Sheppard may have been good enough to change that.

16. Cleveland Browns: Chester Taylor, RB, Toledo

Chester Taylor Ravens

16. Cleveland Browns: Chester Taylor, RB, Toledo

Chester Taylor Ravens — Original Pick: William Green

Green was a flop in Cleveland, so the Browns target another runner. Taylor was stuck in Jamal Lewis' shadow in Baltimore, but once he joined Minnesota, he became a quality three-down back.

17. Oakland Raiders: Andre Gurode, C, Colorado

Andre Gurode Cowboys

17. Oakland Raiders: Andre Gurode, C, Colorado

Andre Gurode Cowboys — Original Pick: Phillip Buchanon

Buchanon was a terrible cornerback in his NFL career, and the Raiders definitely regretted this pick. Instead of Buchanon, Oakland beefs up its offensive line with Gurode. The Raiders would have problems at center after the 2002 season when Barrett Robbins went missing before Super Bowl XXXVII.

18. Atlanta Falcons: Deion Branch, WR, Louisville

Deion Branch Patriots

18. Atlanta Falcons: Deion Branch, WR, Louisville

Deion Branch Patriots — Original Pick: T.J. Duckett

Duckett was never able to crack the starting rotation, and became an expensive backup. Instead of giving Atlanta another runner, the Falcons find a dependable target for Michael Vick in Branch. This move would allow the Falcons to bypass draft bust Michael Jenkins in 2004.

19. Denver Broncos: Charles Grant, DE, Georgia

Charles Grant Saints

19. Denver Broncos: Charles Grant, DE, Georgia

Charles Grant Saints — Original Pick: Ashley Lelie

Lelie was supposed to be the heir apparent to Rod Smith for the Broncos, but he never panned out. Grant was never a Pro Bowl-caliber player, but he did have some successful seasons for the Saints.

20. Green Bay Packers: Javon Walker, WR, Florida State

Javon Walker Packers

20. Green Bay Packers: Javon Walker, WR, Florida State

Javon Walker Packers — Original Pick: Walker

Walker only played for the Packers for four seasons, but he was instrumental in getting the Packers to the postseason three times. Walker was on his way to a breakout season in 2005 before a torn ACL cost him his roster spot for the Packers.

21. New England Patriots: LeCharles Bentley, C, Ohio State

LeCharles Bentley Saints

21. New England Patriots: LeCharles Bentley, C, Ohio State

LeCharles Bentley Saints — Original Pick: Daniel Graham

Graham never could breakthrough as the Patriots tight end, and ultimately became a bit player. Bentley was on his way to an outstanding career before injuries doomed him. Still, New England would get the most out of this former Buckeye.

22. New York Jets: Roy Williams, SS, Oklahoma

Roy Williams Cowboys

22. New York Jets: Roy Williams, SS, Oklahoma

Roy Williams Cowboys — Original Pick: Bryan Thomas

Thomas became a solid pass rusher for the Jets, but never an elite defender. This time, the Jets pick Williams, who would be an excellent value pick later in the draft. Williams went to multiple Pro Bowls, but never justified his status as a top-10 pick.

23. Oakland Raiders: Quentin Jammer, CB, Texas

Quentin Jammer Chargers

23. Oakland Raiders: Quentin Jammer, CB, Texas

Quentin Jammer Chargers — Original Pick: Napoleon Harris

With Buchanon out of the picture, the Raiders find a complimentary corner to Charles Woodson in Jammer. This former Texas Longhorn had a productive career with the Raiders' rivals, the Chargers.

24. Baltimore Ravens: David Garrard, QB, East Carolina

David Garrard Jaguars

24. Baltimore Ravens: David Garrard, QB, East Carolina

David Garrard Jaguars — Original Pick: Reed

With Reed long gone, the Ravens address the weakest position on their roster, quarterback. Garrard turned into a solid QB after replacing Byron Leftwich in Jacksonville. Selecting Garrard here would mean the Ravens won't have to waste a first-rounder on Kyle Boller a year later.

25. New Orleans Saints: Ryan Clark, FS, LSU

Ryan Clark Redskins

25. New Orleans Saints: Ryan Clark, FS, LSU

Ryan Clark Redskins — Original Pick: Grant

With Grant off the board, the Saints address their secondary with Clark. This former LSU Tiger was a ballhawk in Pittsburgh's secondary, and effectively complimented Troy Polamalu.

26. Philadelphia Eagles: Antonio Bryant, WR, Pittsburgh

Antonio Bryant Cowboys

26. Philadelphia Eagles: Antonio Bryant, WR, Pittsburgh

Antonio Bryant Cowboys — Original Pick: Sheppard

With Sheppard gone, the Eagles address their weak receiving corps with Bryant. The Eagles spent a first-round pick on Freddie Mitchell a year earlier, but Mitchell would prove to be a bust.

27. San Francisco 49ers: Sheldon Brown, CB, South Carolina

Sheldon Brown Eagles

27. San Francisco 49ers: Sheldon Brown, CB, South Carolina

Sheldon Brown Eagles — Original Pick: Mike Rumph

Rumph was a disaster at corner for the 49ers, and was converted to safety because he was so poor. Here, the 49ers find a better corner in Brown. Brown would never make a Pro Bowl, but he was one of the top corners in the NFL when he was with the Eagles.

28. Seattle Seahawks: Larry Foote, MLB, Michigan

Larry Foote Steelers

28. Seattle Seahawks: Larry Foote, MLB, Michigan

Larry Foote Steelers — Original Pick: Jerramy Stevens

Stevens was a dud in Seattle, and had hands like feet. In the coming years, Seattle would completely revamp its linebacking corps, so why not start now with a proven middle linebacker in Foote.

29. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Goodwin, OL, Michigan

Jonathan Goodwin Jets

29. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Goodwin, OL, Michigan

Jonathan Goodwin Jets — Original Pick: Marc Colombo

Colombo played his best ball late in his career, but it was with the Cowboys and not the Bears. Goodwin would have helped the Bears in the interior, and eventually replaced Olin Kreutz at center.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brett Keisel, DE, BYU

Brett Keisel Steelers

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brett Keisel, DE, BYU

Brett Keisel Steelers — Original Pick: Kendall Simmons

The Steelers found a gem in the seventh round in Keisel, who became a starter for years on Pittsburgh's defense. Instead of waiting until the seventh round, the Steelers select Keisel in the first.

31. St. Louis Rams: Scott Fujita, OLB, California

Scott Fujita Chiefs

31. St. Louis Rams: Scott Fujita, OLB, California

Scott Fujita Chiefs — Original Pick: Robert Thomas

Thomas never lived up to expectations in St. Louis, and was yet another wasted defensive pick for the Rams. Fujita was a consistent linebacker in the NFL, especially with the Saints, where he helped the Saints win Super Bowl XLIV.

32. Washington Redskins: Michael Lewis, SS, Colorado

Michael Lewis Eagles

32. Washington Redskins: Michael Lewis, SS, Colorado

Michael Lewis Eagles — Original Pick: Patrick Ramsey

Ramsey was supposed to be a savior at quarterback for the Redskins, but he became just another flop. The Redskins here solidify their secondary with Lewis. Despite being overshadowed by Brian Dawkins, Lewis was a Pro Bowl player for the Eagles.

Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer and featured writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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