2018 NFL Draft first round re-draft: What changes one year later?
19. Dallas Cowboys: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
Original Pick: Leighton Vander Esch
The Cowboys are another team that end up being big losers in this re-draft. They found a gem in Leighton Vander Esch and now are forced to look elsewhere for an impact player.
Many people expected the Cowboys to go wide receiver with this pick in the original draft. Wide receiver was certainly a position of need at the time, but looking back today, the Cowboys trade for Amari Cooper really filled that gap extremely well and allows them to go with a different position with this pick.
Vander Esch had such an impact last season that I came really close to giving them the next best player at that position, but having Jaylon Smith and Sean Lee on the roster already, I think the Cowboys can get by without drafting another linebacker.
In this re-draft, the 11th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft falls to 19th. Fitzpatrick is a versatile defender who can help in many different places in the Dallas secondary. The Cowboys seem to have moved Byron Jones to cornerback for good, leaving a bit of a need for a safety/nickel hybrid-type player.
Fitzpatrick can play that role for Dallas and had a solid rookie season with the Dolphins. Racking up 80 combined tackles, nine passes defended, and two interceptions (one for a touchdown), Minkah was able to contribute in many ways right away in Miami. Fitzpatrick could prove to be a young, developing, versatile piece for a playoff-ready Cowboys team in the near future.
20. Detroit Lions: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
Original Pick: Frank Ragnow
Frank Ragnow started every game for the Lions in 2018 at left guard, so the change is nothing against him. Edmunds is just a very raw and talented linebacker that would pair incredibly well with Jarrad Davis to form a dynamic duo in the middle of the field.
Matt Patricia made his head coaching debut last season after leaving his position as the Defensive Coordinator for the New England Patriots. Many expected Patricia to go defense with his first ever pick as head coach and in this re-draft, he does just that.
Edmunds totaled 121 combined tackles for the Bills in 2018, adding two sacks and two interceptions. He was the youngest player to ever be selected in the NFL Draft, so his potential to improve should be extremely high. Edmunds is a big, athletic linebacker who would be a great addition to any defense.
Edmunds is likely widely accepted as better than the 20th best player in this rookie class, but the circumstances of this particular re-draft have the Lions getting a bit of a steal in the bottom half of the first round.