Last week, I stated that I would be trying to re-draft the first round of each of the draft's of my lifetime. These drafts would be redone based on what we know now seeing how team's would pick with the benefit of hindsight. However, it would be too difficult to try to carry those drafts each year, so these re-drafts will not affect each other. Each draft will be as if the team was constructed at that time. The 1987 re-draft was quite interesting and here goes 1988...
The 1988 draft had 5 Hall of Famers, each of which was selected in the 1st 2 rounds...
1 Atlanta Falcons
Select: Dermontti Dawson C Kentucky
Dawson was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 44th pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Falcons Actual Selection: Aundray Bruce LB Auburn
It is pretty clear with the benefit of hindsight that the Falcons would have taken one of the five Hall of Famers in this draft instead of Bruce. I think they go with Dawson who ended up being the best center of his generation. Dawson was fantastic for years for Pittsburgh eventually gaining entry into the Hall of Fame.
2 Kansas City Chiefs
Select: Tim Brown WR Notre Dame
Brown was actually selected with the 6th pick by the Raiders.
Chiefs Actual Selection: Neil Smith DE Nebraska
Smith was a fine selection and would still go top 10 in a re-draft in my opinion. However, the dual impact of getting the fantastic receiver Brown and keeping him away from rival Oakland where he would eventually become a Hall of Famer is too good for the Chiefs to pass up in this redraft.
3 Detroit Lions
Select: Randall McDaniel OG Arizona State
McDaniel was actually selected with the 19th selection by the Minnesota Vikings.
Lions Actual Selection: Bennie Blades S Miami
Bennie Blades was a pick that worked out for Detroit, but having one of the best guards of the era in Randall McDaniel would be too good for Detroit to pass up. Especially, knowing he would do all that damage for division rival Minnesota.
4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Select: Paul Gruber OT Wisconsin
Gruber was the Bucs actual selection. Good tackles are hard to find and the Bucs found a really good one in 1988 with Paul Gruber. The tackle would make two Pro Bowl appearances and be a valued member of the Bucs for years. While he was not one of the Hall of Famers in this draft, he was the best tackle and the 3rd best offensive lineman in a weak year for the o-line. Given that he was a Ring of Honor inductee in Tampa and one of the best player on some bad Bucs teams, it is hard to believe that he wouldn't still be the pick.
5 Cincinnati Bengals
Select: Thurman Thomas RB Oklahoma State
Thomas was actually selected in the 2nd round, #40 overall by the Buffalo Bills
Bengals Actual Selection: Rickey Dixon CB Oklahoma
Thurman Thomas was a Hall of Fame back with the Buffalo Bills. The Bengals were just short of the Super Bowl in the 1988 season, so they select a playmaker here to see if they make the difference, especially a guy as good as Thomas who made the Hall of Fame.
6 Los Angeles Raiders
Select: Michael Irvin WR Miami
Irvin was actually selected with the 11th overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys
Raiders Actual Selection: Tim Brown
Obviously the Raiders hit a home run in this round with Hall of Famer Tim Brown. However, in this re-draft he was off the board, so they take the next best thing...Hall of Famer Michael Irvin. Just win baby!
7 Green Bay Packers
Select: Sterling Sharpe WR South Carolina
Sharpe was the Packers actual selection
It is hard to argue with the Packers selecting the incredibly good Sterling Sharpe here. He had a great career with the Pack and had he played longer would have also been a Hall of Fame candidate.
8 New York Jets
Select:Ken Norton Jr. LB UCLA
Norton was actually selected in the 2nd round, #41 overall by the Dallas Cowboys
Actual Selection: Dave Cadigan OG Southern Cal
Dave Cadigan was a solid offensive lineman for years in this league, but he was not the impact player than Ken Norton Jr. was. Not to mention the fact that linebacker was one of the weakest spots on the Jets roster and Norton is the pick.
9 Los Angeles Raiders
Select: Neil Smith DE Nebraska
Smith was actually selected #2 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs
Actual Selection: Terry McDaniel CB Tennessee
Terry McDaniel had multiple Pro Bowl seasons in Oakland and was a great pick. However, in this re-draft the Chiefs took Tim Brown so that leaves Neil Smith on the table. Smith was a very good defensive end for years in the NFL and made his mark with Oakland's two biggest rivals in Denver and Kansas City. The chance to not be harrassed by Smith and instead have him on their side is too good for the Raiders to pass up.
10 New York Giants
Select: John Elliot OT Michigan
Elliot was actually selected in the 2nd round, #36 overall by the same New York Giants
Actual Selection: Eric Moore OG Indiana
There were only four great lineman in the 1988 draft so one would guess that they would easily be selected in the top 10 of the draft. This run on lineman ends here with Jimbo Elliot to the Giantss. If the Giants had gotten Elliot instead of Eric Moore, they would have been overjoyed still. Elliot was the better lineman and would have needed to be selected earlier than the Giants took him in 1988.
11 Dallas Cowboys
Select: Bennie Blades S Miami
Blades was actually selected #3 overall by the Detroit Lions
Actual Selection: Michael Irvin WR Miami
Irvin was selected in the re-draft by the Raiders so he isn't available here, but the Cowboys are happy to take the best player available. That best player available just happened to go to the same school as Irvin.
12 Arizona Cardinals
Select: Ken Harvey LB California
Harvey was the Cardinals actual selection.
Just because Harvey left the Cardinals after a few years does not mean they don't select him here. If anything it just means if they got the chance again, they would never let him go. Harvey was a great NFL linebacker and one of the most memorable athletes of the 90s. The guy was able to bring it during each and every game.
13 Philadelphia Eagles
Select: Keith Jackson TE California
Jackson was the Eagles actual selection.
Keith Jackson was a very, very good pick for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cal TE would go on to 6 Pro Bowls and would still be their pick today if there was a re-draft.
14 Los Angeles Rams
Select: Eric Allen CB Arizona State
Allen was actually selected in the 2nd round, #30 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles
Rams Actual Selection: Gaston Green RB UCLA
Green went to one Pro Bowl and was a decent back, but he was nowhere near the 14th best player in the draft. Green wouldn't have gone in the 1st round even if they re-drafted 1988 today. With the benefit of hindsight the Rams would select the ultra productive Eric Allen. Allen was a 6 time pro-bowler and would be an incredibly productive corner for the Rams. The Rams likely thought they were fine at corner in 1988, but upon closer inspection they would have realized that starting corner LeRoy Irvin was at the end of his career. Allen would have been perfect to slide in there after that first year and give the Rams an elite corner tandem for years to come.
15 San Diego Chargers
Select: Anthony Miller WR Tennessee
Miller was the Chargers actual selection.
Anthony Miller was a solid pick in a great draft. He was a 5 time pro-bowler and I don't see the Chargers shying away from him and his production in this re-draft. He is still the pick for San Diego here.
16 Miami Dolphins
Select: Michael Dean Perry DT Clemson
Perry was actually selected in the 2nd round, #50 overall by the Cleveland Browns
Dolphins Actual Selection: Eric Kumerow OLB Ohio State
The overrated Kumerow only accumulated 5 sacks during his career, while Jones had 174 career starts at tackle. The Dolphins could have used some help along the defensive line at the time and Jones would have been an upgrade over the long haul who happened to also be the best player available. Perry was a 6 time Pro Bowler and would have been a tremendous difference maker for the Dolphins.
17 New England Patriots
Select: Terry McDaniel CB Tennessee
McDaniel was actually selected with the 9th overall pick by the LA Raiders.
Patriots Actual Selection: John Stephens RB Northwestern State
Stephens was actually Rookie of the Year in 1988, but it was his only season rushing over 1000 yards. Because he only had one really good season, I don't believe he would go in the 1st round of the re-draft. Instead, I see them taking 5x Pro Bowl corner Terry McDaniel.
18 Pittsburgh Steelers
Select: Chris Dishman CB Purdue
Dishman was actually selected in the 5th round, #125 overall by the Houston Oilers.
Steelers Actual Selection: Aaron Jones DE Eastern Kentucky
The Pittsburgh Steelers had the best draft in the NFL in 1987, but in 1988 it was not the same story. This team would gladly redo the 1988 draft because Aaron Jones did not amount to much. Then again maybe not because they picked Dawson in round 2 who went #1 overall in this re-draft. The Steelers would have loved to get Chris Dishman here instead of Jones though and been able to pair him with Rod Woodson in the 90s. That tandem would have brought even more success to the storied franchise.
19 Minnesota Vikings
Select: Chris Spielman LB Ohio State
Spielman was actually selected in the 2nd round, #29 overall by the Detroit Lions.
Vikings Actual Selection: Randall McDaniel OG Arizona State
In this re-draft, Randall McDaniel went 3rd overall and this works out very poorly for the Vikings. Losing a Hall of Fame lineman is about as bad as it can get for any team. Especially the Vikings who don't have the same talent level that the Steelers have. It would be even harder for the Vikings to come close to the Super Bowl without McDaniel. However, the beat moves on and they pick the best player available who happens to be Chris Spielman. This also keeps Spielman from getting to Detroit.
20 Los Angeles Rams
Select: Tony Jones OT Western Carolina
Jones went undrafted in 1988.
Actual Selection: Aaron Cox WR Arizona State
The Rams nearly selected Jones with the 14th overall pick in this re-draft, but ultimately decided to go with Allen. With Jones still on the board here at 20, he is too good a value to pass up. He was the 5th best lineman in the draft, but he was 1st round quality. Additionally, there was a huge dropoff after 5 and no other linemen were worthy of a high grade here. The Rams did much better in the 1st round of this re-draft than the actual draft in 1988.
21 Cleveland Browns
Select: Bill Romanowski LB Boston College
Romanowski was actually selected in the 3rd round, #80 overall by the San Francisco 49ers.
Actual Selection: Clifford Charlton OLB Florida
A common them of these re-drafts so far seems to be that Florida Gators are overdrafted. This certainly rings true for Clifford Charlton who only had 1 NFL start in his career. If the Browns could have picked anyone else in the entire draft, they probably would have done it. The best player available at the time was Bill Romanowski, a linebacker with attitude from Boston College. It would have been interesting to see how Romanowski's career would have ended up had he been picked by Cleveland. It sure is interesting to think about.
22 Houston Oilers
Select: Jeff Cross DE Missouri
Cross was actually selected in the 9th round, #239 overall by the Miami Dolphins
Actual Selection: Lorenzo White RB Michigan State
White was a very solid runningback in his NFL career rushing for 4,242 yards and 30 touchdowns. However, he only had one 1,000 yard season and that was his Pro Bowl season of 1992. I think the Oilers could have done better at selecting here and it may have made a difference on some teams that were oh so close to the Super Bowl. There are several Pro Bowl caliber players left on the board in this re-draft and none posess more skills than Jeff Cross. This guy was a very solid Defensive End who went to the Pro Bowl in 1990. Cross had 59.5 career sacks and had at least 5 a season from 1989-1995. He was not elite which is why he falls to 22, but he was quite good and provides much better value than White here.
23 Chicago Bears
Select: Brian Blades WR Miami
Blades was actually selected in the 2nd round, #49 overall by the Seattle Seahawks
Actual Selection: Brad Muster RB Stanford
Much like White, Muster was solid, but he got around 4,000 yards for his entire NFL career. This includes Muster's rushing and receiving totals. His best season was 1990 when he rushed for over 600 yards and received over 400 yards. He would never come close to either total in his career other than that season. However, the Bears could have had a major upgrade to their offense if they picked up Blades. Blades had four 1,000 yard seasons and had 7,620 yards receiving over his career. He also had 34 receiving touchdowns. He was a major vertical threat that Chicago didn't have at the time and he would have been a much better selection than Muster.
24 New Orleans Saints
Selection: James Hasty CB Washington State
Hasty was actually selected in the 3rd round, #74 overall by the New York Jets.
Actual Selection: Craig Heyward FB Pittsburgh
Heyward was one of the better selections in Round 1 and one of the better fullbacks in his era. However, Hasty plays a more premium position and was the better pro. There is no doubt that New Orleans would have been more successful in the 90s had they grabbed Hasty instead of Heyward. A bigger reason is that Heyward would only stay in New Orleans for 4 seasons. The Saints would have likely thought that they could keep HAsty for longer. Most of the success Heyward had was after he left New Orleans.
25 Los Angeles Raiders
Select: Pierce Holt DT Angelo State
Holt was actually selected in the 2nd round, #39 overall by the San Francisco 49ers.
Actual Selection: Scott Davis DT Illinois
The Raiders were right to try to beef up their defensive line and they did it better in this re-draft. They already were able to secure Neil Smith and now they add an elite inside guy. Pierce Holt had 10 more career sacks, and many more starts than Davis. Additionally, Davis would eventually have to move outside because he struggled more up the middle. Pierce Holt was simply the better interior defensive lineman.
26 Denver Broncos
Select: Rufus Porter LB Southern
Porter was actually an undrafted free agent signing of the Seattle Seahawks.
Actual Selection: Ted Gregory NT Syracuse
One of the worst picks in the entire draft was Ted Gregory to the Broncos. Gregory didn't even play for the Broncos and lasted only one season in the NFL. Meanwhile the Broncos could have had Rufus Porter to play inside linebacker with Karl Mecklenberg. That would have been a terrific duo inside. Porter would have been the selection here and he was best early on as well. He was a Pro Bowl selection each of his first two years in the league. The guy also made over 100 NFL starts. You put Porter in there with Mecklenberg and all of a suddent the Orange Crush is a lot more fierce.
27 Chicago Bears
Select: Chuck Cecil S Arizona
Cecil was actually selected in the 4th round, #89 overall by the Green Bay Packers.
Actual Selection: Wendell Davis WR LSU
Back in the day, every LSU player didn't hit as a pro like they do today. Wendell Davis is a prime example of this. Despite being a 1st round pick, Davis never had a 1,000 yard season and eclipsed the 750 yard mark one time. The guy was just not a very good pro. The Bears could have had a guy like Chuck Cecil who had a stellar NFL career as a free safety. Cecil was a Pro Bowler in 1992 and played a solid safety for years in the NFL.
I hope you enjoyed this NFL re-draft. Stay tuned next week for the 1989 NFL re-draft.
-Noland
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