2024-09-17 23:40:03
Browns OT Dawand JonesFrank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Original Pick: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon (by the New England Patriots)
With Broderick Jones off the board, the Steelers steal Ohio State’s Dawand Jones away from the rival Cleveland Browns.
Originally a fourth-round pick, the mammoth 6’8″, 375-pound Jones is looking like one of the steals of last year’s draft, though he had his promising rookie campaign cut short by a knee injury. In 13 appearances with 11 starts, including two starts this season, Jones has only allowed three sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.
18. Detroit Lions: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
Original Pick: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
The Lions face an incredibly tough decision here. They originally used this pick on linebacker Jack Campbell, who racked up 95 tackles and two sacks as a rookie. However, their chances of landing tight end Sam LaPorta in Round 2 a second time are essentially nonexistent.
LaPorta amassed 889 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie and can already be considered among the best tight ends in football. Detroit takes LaPorta a round earlier in our redraft, even if it ultimately means missing out on Campbell.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh
Original Pick: Calijah Kancey, DL, Pittsburgh
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers used the 19th pick on Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. With the way the board has fallen thus far, there’s really no reason for Tampa to go in a different direction.
Kancey has missed the first two games of this season with a calf injury but was quite impressive as a rookie. The 23-year-old tallied 26 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and 10 quarterback hits in his inaugural campaign.
Disruptive interior defenders aren’t easy to find, and the Buccaneers have one in Kancey.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Tank Dell, WR, Houston
Original Pick: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
In 2023, the Seahawks used their second first-round selection—the first came from the Denver Broncos in the Russell Wilson trade—to make Jaxson Smith-Njigba the first receiver off the board.
While Seattle might consider taking Smith-Njigba a second time, Tank Dell serves as an intriguing alternative. Like Smith-Njigba, Dell can thrive in the slot, and his numbers have been slightly better.
Despite suffering a season-ending fibula fracture in Week 13 last season, Dell has just 18 fewer receiving yards than Smith-Njigba, has three more receiving touchdowns and has averaged 4.7 more yards per catch and 17.2 more yards per game.
