2018 NFL Draft first round re-draft: What changes one year later?
9. San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Original Pick: Mike McGlinchey
The 49ers very well could have stuck with their original pick as well. Mike McGlinchey stepped in and played very well at right tackle, starting all 16 games for San Francisco in 2018. But the 49ers just gave veteran left tackle Joe Staley a two-year extension.
It was expected that McGlinchey would quickly make the move to left tackle as Staley’s heir apparent, but that doesn’t seem to be happening any time super soon. Right tackle is obviously important as well, but I think the Niners could find a more impactful player this early in the draft.
Denzel Ward had an impressive rookie season, leading to his first career Pro Bowl appearance. Ward did miss three games to due injury, which could stem from his slight frame, but he still effective in his rookie season as a lockdown corner. If he is able to put on some muscle, improve his tackling form, and stay on the field going forward, Ward can be an elite cornerback going forward.
The 49ers could certainly use a corner of Ward’s caliber across from Richard Sherman. There has not been a steady and reliable second cornerback in San Francisco in quite some time, and Sherman and Ward would be a dynamic duo that can keep up with the air raids of the Rams and Seahawks in their division going forward.
10. Arizona Cardinals: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
Original Pick: Josh Rosen
It is very clear that the original pick, Josh Rosen, did not work out very well in Arizona. He is already gone. So this pick is obviously going to change. Rosen didn’t play very well in 2018, and the Cardinals decided to move in a different direction with the first overall pick in 2019 with Kyler Murray.
So in 2018, what need do the Cardinals address? There are plenty of options. So many options that they may be best suited to go with the best player available. An argument can be made that at this point in the draft, after watching the 2018 season, that player might just be Leighton Vander Esch.
Vander Esch was selected 19th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2018 Draft, to the dismay of many Cowboy fans. He was able to prove the doubters wrong, finishing third in the NFL with 140 combined tackles and his first career Pro Bowl.
The Cardinals struggled both offensively and defensively last season. Their three leading tacklers in 2018 were safeties. Clearly, the last line of defense having the majority of stops is not optimal for a defense. The Cardinals definitely need a playmaker on the front lines that can prevent the ball carrier from getting into the secondary. That player could be Vander Esch.
It may seem like the offense is the glaring need for the Cardinals, but Arizona is not one piece away from being a contender. They can’t afford to focus on one side of the ball over the other. They need good players and lots of them. This is just one pick that can help their team, and they have many other picks and opportunities to help both sides of their ball team over the next couple years of their rebuilding process.