2018 NFL Draft first round re-draft: What changes one year later?

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Jessie Bates III, S, Wake Forest

Original Pick: Derwin James

One of the biggest losers of this re-draft is the Chargers. Nothing against Bates here, but there is no one else like Derwin James in this draft. But Bates isn’t such a bad consolation prize.

Bates, like James, is one of the more versatile safeties in the league. He totaled over 100 combined tackles while picking off three passes and defended seven others. Zero sacks compared to James’ seven is a bit a red flag in terms of filling that role, but again, there is no other Derwin James.

Bates would have his own role in the Chargers defense but would prove to be a playmaker nonetheless. Bates makes one of the bigger jumps of this re-draft from his original slot of 54th overall all the way up to 17th.

18. Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

Original Pick: Jaire Alexander

The Packers had two rookies as their starting cornerbacks for most of last season, taken with their first two picks of the 2018 NFL Draft. Clearly, that was an area of concern for Green Bay and Alexander (and Josh Jackson) helped to fill that hole effectively.

Alexander was second on the team with 66 combined tackles and led the Packers with 11 passes defended in 2018. The Packers secondary still struggled a bit against the pass last season, but overall, showed improvement with Alexander at the forefront at corner.