2021 NFL Re-Draft: Where Ja'Marr Chase, Mac Jones Land Five Years Later
The 2021 NFL draft brought a return to normalcy, as a year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the previous year's selections to be announced from the confines of commissioner Roger Goodell's basement, the event was held in person again.
Among the 259 selections naturally came a handful of future Pro Bowlers-21, so far-as well as plenty of draft busts whose careers didn't pan out the way they, nor the organizations that selected them, had planned.
Now, five years later, with their rookie contracts expired and each player either extended, signed with another team or released, we're re-drafting the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Original pick: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Re-draft pick: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
We're keeping it simple with this one. The Jaguars were in the market for a quarterback and got the best one in the class in Trevor Lawrence. The former Clemson Tiger has led Jacksonville to the postseason twice in his NFL career and accounted for a career-high 38 total touchdowns in 2025. –Mike Kadlick
More: The Unrivaled Arrival of Trevor Lawrence
2. New York Jets
Original pick: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Re-draft pick: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
In this scenario, the Jets don't trade Sam Darnold in 2021 and instead focus on building their team around him. Meanwhile, new Jets head coach Robert Saleh lands the ultimate defensive chess piece in Micah Parsons, who has become a three-time first-team All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowler and the highest-paid nonquarterback in NFL history. Five years ago, Parsons fell to the No. 12 pick. This time, he's not even making it past No. 2. –Eva Geitheim
3. San Francisco 49ers (via Dolphins)
Original pick: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
Re-draft pick: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Oh, what could have been. With their eyes on a franchise quarterback, the 49ers traded up from pick No. 12 to pick No. 3 in 2021, and selected Trey Lance out of North Dakota State. At the time, there was widespread belief that coach Kyle Shanahan preferred Alabama product Mac Jones but was strong-armed into Lance-a narrative that resurfaced this past season after Jones signed with San Francisco in free agency. While under center for the injured Brock Purdy, Jones led the 49ers to a 5–3 record while throwing for 13 touchdowns and tallying career-highs in passer rating (97.4) and completion percentage (69.6%). –MK
4. Atlanta Falcons
Original pick: Kyle Pitts Sr., TE, Florida
Re-draft pick: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
It feels wrong to imagine Ja'Marr Chase not teaming up with Joe Burrow again in the NFL, but the Falcons would be foolish to pass on him again. Chase might not have had as productive a start to his career with the Falcons' quarterback carousel as he did with Burrow, but he's the best offensive player in this draft and undoubtedly would have found success anywhere. –EG
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Original pick: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Re-draft pick: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Remember the meme of the Bengals deciding between drafting Ja'Marr Chase and getting Joe Burrow destroyed vs. protecting him with Penei Sewell and letting him throw to anybody? Well they don't have to make that decision in this re-draft, as Chase is already off the board. Instead, Sewell-a three-time first-team All-Pro-mans the right side of Cincinnati's offensive line and protects Burrow for the long haul. –MK
6. Miami Dolphins (via Eagles)
Original pick: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Re-draft pick: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
The Dolphins just moved on from Jaylen Waddle by trading him to the Broncos, but he still was a smart pick for Miami at No. 6 back in 2021. The Dolphins might have made some poor roster decisions that resulted in their current reset, but drafting Waddle was certainly one of their better choices. Waddle began his career with three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the Dolphins, helping fill their void at the position at the time. –EG
7. Detroit Lions
Original pick: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Re-draft pick: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
With Sewell off the board, the Lions pivot, and instead select the pass catcher they ultimately took in the fifth round in Amon-Ra St. Brown. Originally the 17th(!) wide receiver off the board, St. Brown has turned in four Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro seasons since 2021, notching four consecutive 1,100-plus-yard campaigns and hauling in 44 touchdowns. –MK
8. Carolina Panthers
Original pick: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Re-draft pick: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
The Panthers selected a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback by picking Jaycee Horn at No. 8. This time, though, they are upgrading for 2024 Defensive Player of the Year and two-time first-team All-Pro Patrick Surtain II. Horn was a good pick for the Panthers, but naturally in this re-draft, they'll take an even better corner in Surtain. –EG
MORE: How Pat Surtain II Became a Second-Generation NFL Star
9. Denver Broncos
Original pick: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Re-draft pick: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
A basic flip with the Panthers here after they take Patrick Surtain II with the pick prior. The Broncos instead end up with Jaycee Horn, who intercepted a career-high five passes in 2025 on his way to a second consecutive Pro Bowl nod. –MK
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via Cowboys)
Original pick: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Re-draft pick: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Five years ago, the Eagles traded up with the Cowboys to pick Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith. In this re-draft, they make the same trade to select a receiver who has been a pivotal part of their success over the past five years, including their Super Bowl championship in 2024. The Eagles' offense has not always been pass-friendly-particularly over the past two seasons-but Smith has still recorded three 1,000-yard seasons in his first five seasons with Philly. –EG
11. New York Giants
Original pick: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State (Bears)
Re-draft pick: Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
Knowing what they know now about Justin Fields as a long-term answer at quarterback, the Bears decide against trading up for the former Ohio State signal-caller. Instead, the Giants stick and pick, selecting Nico Collins out of Michigan to bolster their wide receiver room. –MK
12. Dallas Cowboys (via Eagles)
Original pick: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Re-draft pick: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
With Micah Parsons off the board, the Cowboys are pivoting to the next best edge rusher available in Jaelan Phillips. Though Phillips has yet to record double-digit sacks in a season and has missed time with injury over his career, he remains an impactful edge rusher when healthy. In a class lacking depth at edge rusher, the Cowboys would be wise to pick Phillips to bolster their defense. –EG
13. Los Angeles Chargers
Original pick: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Re-draft pick: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Nothing to change here. The Chargers nailed the selection of Rashawn Slater, who's been elected to two Pro Bowls and was named a second-team All-Pro as a rookie. The only drawback for the Northwestern grad has been his availability. After missing a majority of the 2022 season with a ruptured biceps tendon, Slater missed the entire '25 campaign after tearing his patellar tendon in a training camp practice. That said, he's among the top tackles in all of football when healthy. –MK
14. New York Jets (via Vikings)
Original pick: Alijah Vera-Tucker, G, USC
Re-draft pick: Quinn Meinerz, G, UW-Whitewater
The Jets initially traded up with the Vikings to the No. 14 spot to select Alijah Vera-Tucker out of USC. While Vera-Tucker was a good pickup for the Jets, he also missed significant time due to injury. The Jets are still trading up, but for Quinn Meinerz out of Division III UW-Whitewater. One of the best guards in the league, Meinerz was named a first-team All-Pro in each of the past two seasons and was PFF's No. 1 graded guard in 2025. –EG
15. New England Patriots
Original pick: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Re-draft pick: Kyle Pitts Sr., TE, Florida
The Mac Jones experiment didn't work in New England for a variety of reasons, but even still, he's already off the board in this scenario-having landed where he was supposed to all along in San Francisco. Instead, the Patriots pivot after trading Rob Gronkowski in 2020 and select Kyle Pitts Sr. out of Florida. Pitts hasn't quite lived up to his hype as the No. 4 pick and a 1,000-yard receiver as a rookie, but he has been a steady presence for the Falcons over his first five NFL seasons, increasing his touchdown output every year while hauling in a career-high 88 receptions in 2025. –MK
16. Arizona Cardinals
Original pick: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Re-draft pick: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Missouri
The Cardinals originally drafted Zaven Collins to play inside linebacker, but after two seasons, former head coach Jonathan Gannon moved him to the edge. In this re-draft, the Cardinals land middle linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who was a Pro Bowler before suffering a potentially career-ending injury while tackling Derrick Henry in 2024. –EG
17. Las Vegas Raiders
Original pick: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
Re-draft pick: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Alex Leatherwood was one of a handful of first-round busts during the Mike Mayock era with the Raiders, lasting just one season in Las Vegas before being waived ahead of the 2022 campaign. Still in need of a long-term answer at tackle, they bring in Christian Darriaw, who's been a steady presence along the Vikings's offensive line since 2021. –MK
18. Miami Dolphins
Original pick: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
Re-draft pick: Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Clemson
With Phillips already off the board, the Dolphins pivot and continue to bolster their offense by picking Travis Etienne Jr. The 2021 draft had a weak edge class, and even after taking Waddle earlier in this draft, the Dolphins needed more playmakers for second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. This was especially the case at the running back position as they ranked just 30th in rushing yards per game in 2021, the year before Mike McDaniel arrived. –EG
19. Washington Commanders
Original pick: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Re-draft pick: Ernest Jones IV, LB, South Carolina
Kentucky's Jamin Davis spent just over three seasons with Washington after being selected with the No. 19 pick in 2021, but was released midway through the '24 campaign after a failed transition to defensive end. An easy replacement? Ernest Jones IV, who's now a two-time Super Bowl champion and was named a second-team All-Pro in 2025 after tallying 126 tackles and five interceptions for the Seahawks. –MK
20. Chicago Bears
Original pick: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida (Giants)
Re-draft pick: Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
With the Bears no longer trading up to draft Justin Fields, they stand pat and take center Creed Humphrey with the 20th pick. Though centers typically aren't drafted in the first round-and the Chiefs originally drafted him toward the end of the second round-Humphrey is well worth a top-20 pick. He has already become a two-time first-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, and would have shored up the center of the Bears' offensive line for years. –EG
21. Indianapolis Colts
Original pick: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
Re-draft pick: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
The Colts' selection of Kwity Paye ultimately boded well for them, as the Michigan product racked up 30.5 sacks over five seasons in Indianapolis before signing a three-year, $48 million contract with the Raiders this offseason. Their only regret might be not locking him up for the long term. –MK
22. Tennessee Titans
Original pick: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Re-draft pick: Deommodore Lenoir, CB, Oregon
Unfortunately for Caleb Farley and the Titans, the promising corner was unable to overcome his injury woes in the NFL. He appeared in just 12 games over three seasons in Tennessee before he was released prior to the 2024 season. The Titans will instead fill their need at corner by taking fifth-round pick Deommodore Lenoir, who proved to be one of the steals of the draft when the 49ers took him in the fifth round. –EG
23. Minnesota Vikings (via Jets)
Original pick: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Re-draft pick: Alijah Vera-Tucker, G, USC
With Darrisaw going to the Raiders, the Vikings have to pivot. They instead take USC's Alijah Vera-Tucker, who-when healthy, a significant caveat-has been a high-quality, versatile offensive linemen since entering the league in 2021. After spending the past five seasons with the Jets, Vera-Tucker signed with the Patriots on a three-year deal this offseason. –MK
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Original pick: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Re-draft pick: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
Coming off a 2020 season that saw the Steelers start 11–0, Pittsburgh began the 2021 NFL draft by selecting two nonpremium position players-running back Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth. This time, they'll go for linebacker Nick Bolton, who has played a pivotal part in two Super Bowl wins for the Chiefs. The Steelers originally selected two linebackers later in the draft that did not pan out. Bolton, who was taken in the second round, would solidify the Steelers' linebacking core for the years to come. –EG
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Rams)
Original pick: Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Clemson
Re-draft pick: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
While pairing Lawrence with his college running back in Etienne was the right idea by the Jaguars, the Dolphins already snagged him in our re-draft. Instead, Jacksonville beefs up its defense by selecting Christian Barmore, who's sacked opposing quarterbacks 15.5 times over five seasons with the Patriots. –MK
26. Cleveland Browns
Original pick: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
Re-draft pick: Osa Odighizuwa, DT, UCLA
The Browns have already moved off their initial 2021 first-round pick, Greg Newsome II, who was traded to the Jaguars during the final year of his rookie contract. In this scenario, the Browns instead go for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who has emerged as one of the league's better interior defenders. This past season, Odighizuwa ranked top-10 in both run-stop win rate and pass-rush win rate among interior defenders. –EG
27. Baltimore Ravens
Original pick: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Re-draft pick: Odafe Oweh, DE, Penn State
Rashod Bateman, while he was ultimately signed to a three-year extension last offseason, has yet to produce to the level the Ravens likely expected from a first-round pick to begin his career. As such, Baltimore instead drafts Penn State's Odafe Oweh with their original pick at No. 27-rather than trading up to take him with a second first-round pick at No. 31, as they did in 2021-avoiding forking over additional draft capital while still bringing in a disruptive presence off the edge. –MK
28. New Orleans Saints
Original pick: Payton Turner, DE, Houston
Re-draft pick: Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
After Payton Turner didn't pan out for New Orleans-recording just five sacks over four seasons before departing in free agency last offseason-the Saints are taking Gregory Rousseau this time. Rousseau has been productive, tallying 32 sacks over his first five seasons and earning the highest PFF grade in run defense among edge defenders in 2025. –EG
29. Green Bay Packers
Original pick: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
Re-draft pick: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
The Packers went from 2012 to '23 without selecting an offensive player in the first round of the NFL draft. That changes here, as Green Bay brings in tight end Pat Freiermuth to finally give Aaron Rodgers a premier weapon on offense. The former Penn State tight end has hauled in 22 touchdowns over his career with the Steelers. –MK
30. Buffalo Bills
Original pick: Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
Re-draft pick: Milton Williams, DT, Louisiana Tech
The Bills doubled down at defensive end with their first two picks in the 2021 draft. Unfortunately for Buffalo, with Rousseau coming off the board two picks earlier, there weren't many quality options left for the Bills to take at that position. Instead, the Bills pivot and land Milton Williams, who has proved to be a game wrecker from the interior of a defense. The Bills lost three of the four defensive tackles on their active roster in 2021 after the season, so Williams fills that position for the future. –EG
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Original pick: Odafe Oweh, DE, Penn State (Ravens)
Re-draft pick: Drew Dalman, C, Stanford
The Chiefs originally traded back from this pick with the Ravens, who double-dipped in the first round by selecting Oweh. With Baltimore no longer calling, however-and with current center Creed Humphrey gone to the Bears-Kansas City selects Drew Dalman to man the interior of its offensive line. –MK
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Original pick: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, DE, Washington
Re-draft pick: Talanoa Hufanga, S, USC
The Buccaneers originally whiffed on this pick when they selected Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who is currently on his fourth team, the Eagles. To close out this re-draft, the Buccaneers instead take the best player available in Talanoa Hufanga, a fifth-round pick who became a first-team All-Pro in his second season and was a second-team All-Pro in 2025. Hufanga and Antoine Winfield Jr. would form a dominant safety duo, helping the Buccaneers' defense remain stout after their Super Bowl run. –EG
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as 2021 NFL Re-Draft: Where Ja'Marr Chase, Mac Jones Land Five Years Later.
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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 3:08 AM.