Re-Drafting the 2015 NFL Draft: Where do Winston and Mariota end up?
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Original Pick: Dante Fowler
Dante Fowler put up good numbers for the Jags but I think he was drafted too high. They traded him last season to the Rams, so I believe they would of went in a different direction with this pick. The Jags need a playmaker for Blake Bortles going into his sophomore year and Cooper has put up the best numbers for a wide receiver in this draft class.
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While Bortles still may have gotten benched in 2018 after taking them to the playoffs the previous year, Cooper would have at least given him a true number one receiver. Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns both put up good numbers in 2015 for the Jags. They both reached over 1,000 yards in 2015 but were inconsistent after that season never getting close to those numbers again.
Amari Cooper has been more consistent in his four seasons posting over 1,000 yards three times. He also can help a young quarterback like Bortles in the passing game. Cooper can be a red zone target or he can beat you downfield with his speed.
4. Oakland Raiders: Todd Gurley RB, Georgia
Original Pick: Amari Cooper
They missed out on Amari Cooper with the Jags stealing him, so the Raiders take the best running back in Todd Gurley. Even with the knee injuries, Gurley has been one of the best backs in the league. Gurley rushed for over 1,000 yards in three of his four seasons in the league.
The Raiders do well in this redo NFL draft with the addition of Gurley. He brings an electrifying feel to the backfield anytime he steps on the field. He can help a young Derek Carr if he needs a short pass for a first down as well.
At the time, the Raiders backfield consisted of Latavius Murray, Taiwan Jones and Roy Helu Jr. While Murray is a quality running back, he’s only rushed for over 1,000 yards once in his career. After Murray left Oakland, they had Marshawn Lynch for a couple of seasons in 2017 and 2018. Lynch was productive for the last couple of years in his career but there’s no doubt Gurley would have been a game-changer for the Raiders.